PLAY BALL: VYPE's Private School Baseball Rankings No. 2 Concordia Lutheran Crusaders

Feb 15, 2023

No. 2-Concordia Lutheran Crusaders

2022: 24-6 (TAPPS-D1 District Champions/ State Semifinalists)

HC: Royce Kennedy

Concordia Lutheran baseball has become a model of consistency over the past decade. Reaching the TAPPS-D1 Final Four seven times since 2014, with a 2015 State Title, speaks for itself. Following a 2022 District Championship, the ‘Saders advanced to the State Semis before narrowly falling to Central Catholic (4-2). However, they intend to run it back this Spring with the intention of adding to their trophy case. With first-Team, all-state selections in senior RHP Alex Petrovic (Auburn), OF Zac Daigre (Sr.), and junior C Nolan Traeger (TCU) returning, the sky is the limit. Other players will be sure to make some noise, such as Baylor-signee Michael Herndon and newcomer – freshman IF Ronin McCraw (Texas A&M-commit).

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FOCUSED FAIRWAYS: HCHS Junior Emily Zhang Rises Among Texas’ Premier Golfers

Houston Christian's Emily Zhang

Photo by: Jamey Wright (VYPE)

On the greens at South Shore Harbour Country Club, few golfers in Texas command attention like Yixin “Emily” Zhang. Equipped with an exemplary aptitude for the sport, the Houston Christian junior has quickly proven herself among the state’s elite, combining skill and coherence in a way that makes her a standout well beyond Houston.

At the end of March, Zhang captured the title at the Southern Texas PGA Golf Performance Group Houston Junior Classic, shooting just one over par. Yet her success is no surprise. Months earlier, she had finished first at the STPGA Prestige Tour H-Town Showdown in August, following a third-place finish at the SPC Tournament last spring. Each victory reflects a steady culmination of talent, preparation, and mindset.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD: Brianna Taylor ushers in a new era at Houston Christian

Houston Christian High School announces the hiring of Lake Creek GBB Coach Brianna "Bre" Taylor in March 2026

Photo taken by: Bradley C. Collier (VYPE) // Graphic developed by @vypegraphics

Brianna “Bre” Taylor didn’t always envision herself pacing the sideline or leading a classroom. Now, she’ll soon be doing both at Houston Christian, where her presence signals both continuity and a fresh sense of direction.

A Houston native and former guard for the Texas Longhorns, Taylor arrives after a two-year stint as head coach at Lake Creek. She will finish out the current academic year there before transitioning to Houston Christian full-time, taking on a dual role as head coach and English teacher—an intersection she believes is central to building something lasting.

BEING ELITE: The Blueprint Behind Houston Christian’s Latest Title Run

Some of the stars of 2025-26 Houston Christian HS Basketball

Isaiah Vela (VYPE)

On the surface, Houston Christian’s 35–1 season—culminating in its fifth SPC title—looked more dominant than ever. A 66–42 victory over Episcopal in the SPC 4A Final brought head coach Ron Crandall closer to 600 career wins, highlighting the sustained excellence he and his program have built over nearly two decades.

Yet the record and the trophy tell only part of the story. The deeper significance of this championship lies in the culture Crandall and his players cultivated from the very beginning.

GAMES

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PLAY BALL: VYPE's Private School Baseball Rankings No. 2 Concordia Lutheran Crusaders

No. 2-Concordia Lutheran Crusaders

2022: 24-6 (TAPPS-D1 District Champions/ State Semifinalists)

HC: Royce Kennedy

Landon Veal (Jr. F)

GAMES