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PLAY BALL: Houston Loaded with Private School Contenders

Matt Malatesta
Feb 25, 2020

Two of our five contenders brought home gold last season in Lutheran South and Northland Christian.

Concordia Lutheran is a traditional power and will have to hold off St. Thomas in the big TAPPS race, while Episcopal should be the favorites in the Southwest Prep Conference.

Here are the Private School Contenders


Concordia Lutheran Crusaders

Concordia Lutheran's Jarrett Young, Sean Fitzpatrick, Cash McNicholas and James Hitt

Rick Lynch is a coaching legend at Concordia Lutheran up in Tomball, reaching the TAPPS DI state tournament six years in a row. The 'Saders won it all in 2015 with some uber-talent. So, who returns in 2020 to lead the Crusaders back to state? It all starts with first-team, all-state selections Cash McNicholas and James Hitt who are pitcher/outfielders. Hitt has signed with Texas Tech, while McNicholas will head to McLennan CC next year. Crafty, lefty Sean Fitzpatrick can be unhittable at times, while Jarrett Young holds down the infield at shortstop. Concordia Lutheran won district a year ago but fell in the state semis to districtmate St. Thomas in a 1-0 heartbreaker. They will be back with a vengeance and a one-track mind in 2020 – championship of bust.

Lutheran South Pioneers

Lutheran South's Luke Harrison, Deaundre Jones and Henry Hill

Can Lutheran South complete the three-peat? The Pioneers have built a power baseball program under the direction of coach Aaron Schneider, winning back-to-back titles in TAPPS DII. They've actually made it three titles in five years. LSA is loaded again in 2020 as the Pioneers return junior lefty Luke Harrison to lead the pitching staff. The second-team, all-state selection has the stuff to have already committed to the University of Texas. Need a lethal bat? First-team, all-district selection Deaundre Jones has one of the best bats in the state. He's committed to the University of Houston. Henry Hill plays the hot corner and will provide senior leadership along with Kaleb Hicks. Second Baptist and Cypress Christian will challenge in district play, but the Pioneers are the team to beat.

Episcopal Knights

Episcopal's Bennett Hanks, Tanner Witt and Raffi Gross

The Episcopal Knights were knocked off by Kinkaid in the Southwest Preparatory Conference finals in 2019 and return a dugout full of stars still seeing red. The Knights have nine SPC titles in the trophy case. Six of the nine were won with the leadership of coach Matt Fox, who enters year 10 at the helm. Fox welcomes one of the top aces in the country – Tanner Witt, a 6-foot-4 senior who has signed with the University of Texas. Will he or won't he go pro is the real question? Also helping on the mound is Bennett Hanks, who also doubles as a first-baseman and can hit for power. Roaming the outfield is junior Raffi Gross, who has committed to the University of Houston. Max Madison will manage the pitchers behind the plate. Fox and crew would love nothing more than to bring back their 10th SPC title back to downtown.

St. Thomas Eagles

It's year two of the Adam Massiatte-era at St. Thomas, which has been a success so far. Massiatte led the Eagles to the TAPPS state finals last season, before falling to Liberty Christian. The Eagles are back with another talented roster ready to challenge at the highest level of private school baseball. St. Thomas returns Texas A&M signee Will Rizzo, an all-state pitcher and corner infielder. Adam Derosches could emerge as a solid pitcher as well. Daniel Coco is a three-year starter. Concordia Lutheran will challenge for the district title, but the Eagles have bigger goals – a state title.

Northland Christian Cougars

Northland Christian's (above) Peyton Fennelly, Kristopher Maxwell (below) Marshall Ingram, Cameron Bailes and Brady Kraner

The Champs are here … The Northland Christian Cougars join Lutheran North and Kinkaid as the private schools who won state titles in 2019. Coach Rich Nixon brings back some experience who have hopes of making it back-to-back titles. It all starts up the middle for the Cougars. Marshall Ingram was the first-team, all-state catcher, who can manage the staff and hit with the best in the business. All-state shortstop Cameron Bailes handles the middle infield, while first-team, all-district selection Brody Kraner patrols the outfield. Northland is going to need some arms to emerge to be THAT team. Peyton Fennelly and Kris Maxwell could be those guys. The Woodlands Christian Academy will challenge for the district title and help get

concordia lutheran baseballlutheran south baseballepiscopal baseballnorthland christian baseballst. thomas baseballprivate school baseball

VYPE DFW/SATX Game of the Week: Denton Ryan vs. SA Wagner (UIL 5A-D1 GBB State Final) Preview

Matthew Ogle
01 Mar, 2025

It all comes down to this.

As teams from across Texas head to San Antonio’s renowned Alamodome, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the UIL 5A-Division 1 season.

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VYPE HOU Preseason Girls Track and Field Athlete Of The Year Fan Poll

VYPE
28 Feb, 2025

The 2025 girls track and field season is going to be as competitive as ever over the next few months.

The public and private school landscape is peppered with national recruits and returning State Champs. Here are some of the city’s best, Go vote for the VYPE Pre-season Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

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THE CAN'T MISS KID: Conroe's Sneed Can Do It All

Matt Malatesta
28 Feb, 2025

ALISA SNEED IS A BALL OF FAST-TWITCH ENERGY.

The Conroe senior is a national recruit for softball, an all-district hooper, and has been to the regional track meet in the relays. She is the pride of the Tigers.

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TRENDING
THE RANKINGS: VYPE's Private School Softball Top 5

THE RANKINGS: VYPE's Private School Softball Top 5

HOT 100: VYPE'S Top 100 H-Town Prospects In The Class 2026

HOT 100: VYPE'S Top 100 H-Town Prospects In The Class 2026

THE RANKINGS: VYPE's Private School Baseball Top 5

THE RANKINGS: VYPE's Private School Baseball Top 5

11AM - 5A D2 Girls Basketball State Final: Liberty Hill vs. Lubbock Monterey

LIVING BY D.I.R.T: Mag West's McFaddin Driven By More Than Just Winning

LIVING BY D.I.R.T: Mag West's McFaddin Driven By More Than Just Winning

GAMES

8:45AM - Coleman Chaos: SBMSA Basketball Championships (ALL DAY EVENT)

4:45PM - 6A D2 State Final: Hightower vs. Sagina Boswell

3PM - TCAL Girls Basketball State Championship: Oak Cliff Faith and Family vs. Legion Prep

11AM - 5A D2 Girls Basketball State Final: Liberty Hill vs. Lubbock Monterey

VYPE Live Lineup - Friday 2/28/25

VYPE Live Lineup - Friday 2/28/25

6:45 PM - Boys Basketball: Marshall vs. Port Arthur Memorial

6:45 PM - Boys Basketball: Marshall vs. Port Arthur Memorial

7PM - NFHS 6A D2 Boys Basketball Reg. IV Final: Stony Point vs. Harlan

7PM - NFHS 6A D2 Boys Basketball Reg. IV Final: Stony Point vs. Harlan

6PM - NFHS 5A D2 Boys Basketball Reg. IV Final: Liberty Hill vs. Alamo Heights

6PM - NFHS 5A D2 Boys Basketball Reg. IV Final: Liberty Hill vs. Alamo Heights

3:30PM - Baseball | Five Tool Invitational: Dripping Springs vs. Lovejoy

3:30PM - Baseball | Five Tool Invitational: Dripping Springs vs. Lovejoy

10:30AM - Baseball | Five Tool Invitational: Dripping Springs vs. Hebron

10:30AM - Baseball | Five Tool Invitational: Dripping Springs vs. Hebron

7PM - Baseball | Mira's Bayfront Bash: Cedar Park vs. CC Veteran's Memorial

7PM - Baseball | Mira's Bayfront Bash: Cedar Park vs. CC Veteran's Memorial

VYPE Live Lineup - Thursday 2/27/25

VYPE Live Lineup - Thursday 2/27/25

10AM - Baseball | Mira's Bayfront Bash: Cedar Park vs. PSJA North

10AM - Baseball | Mira's Bayfront Bash: Cedar Park vs. PSJA North

7PM - Baseball | Southwest ISD Tournament: Austin High vs. S.A. Southwest

7PM - Baseball | Southwest ISD Tournament: Austin High vs. S.A. Southwest

3PM - Baseball | Southwest ISD Tournament: Austin High vs. Nikki Rowe

3PM - Baseball | Southwest ISD Tournament: Austin High vs. Nikki Rowe

VYPE Live Lineup - Wednesday 2/26/25

VYPE Live Lineup - Wednesday 2/26/25

5PM - Baseball | Five Tool Invitational: Dripping Springs vs. Jesuit Prep

5PM - Baseball | Five Tool Invitational: Dripping Springs vs. Jesuit Prep

12:30PM - Baseball | Five Tool Invitational: Dripping Springs vs. Highland Park

12:30PM - Baseball | Five Tool Invitational: Dripping Springs vs. Highland Park

5:30PM - Baseball | Mira's Bayfront Bash: Cedar Park vs. Lytle

5:30PM - Baseball | Mira's Bayfront Bash: Cedar Park vs. Lytle

1PM - Baseball | Mira's Bayfront Bash: Cedar Park vs. SA Warren

1PM - Baseball | Mira's Bayfront Bash: Cedar Park vs. SA Warren

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