PUBLIC SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
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PRIVATE SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
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PUBLIC SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
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PRIVATE SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
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Houston Christian's Emily Zhang
Zhang collects All-SPC honors after placing 3rd in the SPC Tournament (April 29, 2025)Graphic by: @vypegraphics -- Posted by: @hcmustangs_athletics (Instagram)
“The biggest difference in my game has been my mindset,” Zhang said. “I’ve learned to believe in myself and stay present. Before, a bad shot could spiral into more mistakes, but now I recognize it and break the cycle right away. I focus on the next shot instead of what just happened, and that’s made a huge difference in my consistency.”
When she’s at her best, Zhang’s approach is as much mental as it is physical.
“Everything feels calm and simple,” she said. “My mind is clear, and there’s only positivity—no negativity. Even when something goes wrong, I don’t dwell on it. I’ve learned I can bounce back, and now I try to bring that approach to its fullest every time.”
Pressure, she adds, is something to be acknowledged and simplified. “It’s often a mental state we place on ourselves,” Zhang said. “Once I recognize that, I simplify everything and refocus on the moment, using self-affirmations to help.”
Her discipline stems in part from her personal journey. Born in China, she moved to the United States at age seven, navigating a new culture and language.
“The transition was definitely challenging at first, especially since I didn’t know any English,” she said. “But I was fortunate to be adaptable and unafraid to put myself out there. Through time and effort, I overcame the language barrier and became comfortable with both the language and the new culture—about three years after the move.”
Her background, she says, gives her a perspective that shapes her approach to golf.
“While my culture is often known for academics, I think it’s equally rooted in hard work and discipline. That carries over into my golf game, and it’s helped me stay committed to constantly improving. That work ethic has opened up a lot of opportunities for me, both in golf and in life.”
Looking ahead, Zhang is focused on further growth.
“This year, I aim to win at least one AJGA tournament,” she said. “Also, looking ahead, I hope to use the summer to show the true depth of my ability, get into the top university of my choice, and begin to write the next chapter of my life.”
If her journey so far is any indication, Zhang’s next chapter could be her most impressive yet.
Houston Christian High School announces the hiring of Lake Creek GBB Coach Brianna "Bre" Taylor in March 2026
“While it was brief, my time at Lake Creek really helped me grow as a coach,” Taylor said. “I’ve learned to embrace adversity and step outside my comfort zone—that’s where true development happens. As coaches and former players, our identity is often rooted in performance, particularly performing well, so it’s been about seeking different ways to achieve that. As a result, my ability to connect with players, meet them where they are, and support them has taken a tremendous leap.”
That evolution didn’t begin on the sideline, but rather through a shift in perspective during her playing career.
“Honestly, I swore I’d never become a coach or teacher when I was playing,” she said with a laugh. “But I’ve come to see this field as a true calling. Late in my collegiate career, injuries sidelined me and allowed me to view the game through a different lens. From that perspective, my IQ as a player grew, which has helped shape the kind of coach I want to be. Starting out coaching fourth graders in AAU taught me patience and how to communicate and pass on knowledge I had to earn—skills that translate well now.”
Taylor steps into a situation primed for immediate success.
Houston Christian Jr. PG A'Zyua BlairBryan Guevara (VYPE)
Houston Christian went 22–7 in 2026 and finished as the SPC 4A runner-up to The Kinkaid School, setting the stage for what could be a defining winter ahead. The Lady Mustangs return a core of high-level talent, headlined by A’Zyua Blair, who earned TABC All-State and All-SPC honors as a junior. Rising seniors Lyla Delafosse and Naddilee French further bolster a roster with both experience and ambition, as the program eyes its first championship since 2023.
Balancing those expectations with culture-building is where Taylor sees her role extending beyond the court.
“The greatness is already there at Houston Christian, so I think being a full-time coach and teacher brings a kind of ‘newness’ the girls will appreciate,” Taylor said. “When you see your coach in the halls or sit in their class, it creates a different high school experience—that’s what fosters culture. These girls have nothing to prove; they’re heading to college, and some will play at the next level. My job is to prepare them for that as best I can and be with them every step of the way.”
For Taylor, the next step isn’t just about wins—it’s about presence, perspective, and purpose, all converging in a place that already feels like home.
Some of the stars of 2025-26 Houston Christian HS Basketball
“We could tell early on that we had something special,” Crandall said. “A lot of that came from our willingness to connect, starting in the offseason. We read The 7 Commitments of a Great Team together—going through a few pages each day and meeting twice a week to discuss it. That helped us get to know each other on a deeper level than just basketball. It became our focus and built a bond that was unbreakable—and one we were able to sustain.”
Houston Christian adapted The 7 Commitments as a guiding framework, emphasizing commitment to the team’s vision, positivity, continuous improvement, connection, and valuing each other. Those principles evolved into a player-driven mission statement: “Be a Brotherhood that inspires others through our infectious energy and discipline.”
On a broader level, the program’s identity is rooted in its “Be ELITE” mantra, introduced in 2020. More than a call to be superior, ELITE represents Excellence, Love, Identity, Thankfulness, and Enthusiasm.
“A coach told me a long time ago, ‘You are what you emphasize, and you get what you tolerate,’” Crandall said. “We want to be a team that emphasizes more than just going out there to hoop and win games. We want to be the young men God calls us to be, pursuing excellence through the process we follow each day.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The players delivered on that philosophy. Juniors Landon Veal, Josiah “Jojo” McGowen, and Will Arriaga—each All-SPC selections—often proved too much for opponents to handle. Veal’s standout season earned him a Guy V. Lewis Award nomination and Tournament MVP honors, while senior point guard Demetri Lewis, Aiden Pitcaithly, Xavier Gibbons, and Miller Martin each contributed selflessly to the team’s success.
“Everyone has a special role that they bring to the team, and we value what that is,” Crandall said. “Let’s minimize what they can’t do and maximize what they can do. We poured into each other to bring out the very best in everyone to fulfill that role.”
One might assume that winning a championship is the ultimate goal each season, but that’s part of what sets Houston Christian apart.
“We’re not defined by how many championships we win,” Crandall said. “We should be defined by the impact we have on people—that’s what legacy is about. Titles are just an experience you share with that team, but it’s the journey that led there that you’ll always remember.”
For Crandall and his Mustangs, that journey—built on connection, discipline, and shared values—remains the real blueprint of success.
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