GAMES
RANKINGS
2022-23 Concordia Lutheran Boys Basketball
THE WRAP: Concordia Lutheran's best of the Winter
With the season finally wrapped up, it was time for TAPPS to dole out the private school props throughout the state of Texas, and as expected, several key figures of ‘Sader Nation Winter Athletics were credited with the season recognition they deserve.
CLHS Boys Basketball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Recreating Concordia’s 2021-22 season, which saw the Crusaders breeze to an undefeated (10-0) District Championship en route to a TAPPS final-four appearance, is easier said than done.
Regardless, ‘Sader Nation enjoyed an impressive Winter, going 21-11 with an Area Round appearance.
Concordia hoops was headlined by senior SG/SF Jesse Fuller, who earned a First-Team All-State and All-District selections for his dominance on the court.
With several key pieces returning next Winter, including breakout sophomore Guard Howie Keene (Second-Team All-State/First-Team All-District), who will pair nicely with standout junior PG Jace Jeffries, expect ‘Sader Nation to surprise the doubters.
More Winter Honorees:
Jace Jeffries (Jr. PG): Second-Team All-District
Grant Saxton (Sr. G): Second-Team All-District
Ben Fears (Jr. SF/PF): Second-Team All-District
Donovan Holcombe (Sr. SF): All-District Honorable Mention
Raken Vargas (So. G): All-District Honorable Mention
CLHS Girls Basketball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
The Crusaders experienced another profitable Winter on the court, maintaining a winning record of 18-16 against some tough district competition.
2022-23 also saw Concordia Lutheran Girls hoops extend their streak of playoff appearances to 25, advancing to the Area Round of the TAPPS postseason.
However, most notable was the list of accolades the team earned at the conclusion of the Winter season.
Leading CLHS was senior Kayley Brennan (Second-Team All-State/First-Team All-District) who finalized her high school career in style.
With junior C/PF Adele Neuhaus (All-State Honorable Mention/First-Team All-District) and co. returning next year, ‘Sader Nation will be aiming for a resurgence.
More Winter Honorees:
Kenley Benson (So. F): Second-Team All-District
Carly Winkler (Sr.): Second-Team All-District
Karalyn Rich (Sr. SG): All-District Honorable Mention
CLHS Boys Soccer
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Despite facing a few setbacks throughout the season, the Crusaders managed to show some resiliency on the pitch, especially in the TAPPS-D1 postseason.
CLHS advanced to the Area Round where they narrowly fell to Nolan Catholic by a score of 2-3.
However, the boys should remain optimistic considering this season procured some bright spots. Particularly, the All-State Honorable Mentions of their anchor of the backline, senior Caleb Symons, and senior Forward/Midfielder Evan Kastenschmidt, will be a nice sendoff.
Furthermore, the return of fellow All-State Honorable Mention, sophomore Forward/Midfielder Trent Culver, along with the team’s further experience should provide the push that Concordia needs to take their game to the next level, a year from now.
More Winter Honorees:
Grant Pickrel (Jr. F/M): All-District Honorable Mention
Matthew Marsh (Sr. M): All-District Honorable Mention
Jack Marsh (So. M/D): All-District Honorable Mention
Josh Henson (Sr. GK): All-District Honorable Mention
CLHS Girls Soccer
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Similar to the Boys’ team, CLHS Girls Soccer experienced its fair share of ups and downs.
However, in spite of losing nine seniors in last year’s offseason, the Crusaders maintained a respectable 9-9 (5-7 in district) record en route to a TAPPS postseason appearance.
This could not have been achieved without their captain, senior CB Katelyn Denley, who capped off her final season at Concordia with a Second-Team All-State and First-Team All-District selections for her leadership on the pitch.
In addition, senior Forward Allesandra Dewenter received an All-State Honorable Mention and First-Team All-District selections for her goal-scoring proficiency.
In 2022, she combined for 26 goals and 12 assists with sophomore Gretchen Kastenschmidt (Second-Team All-District), who will look to lead the CLHS attack, next season.
More Winter Honorees
Emerson Blevins (Jr. M): All-District Honorable Mention
Avery McIntyre (Sr. CDM): All-District Honorable Mention
Jesse Fuller
2022-23 Concordia Lutheran Girls Soccer
AMBITIOUS FUTURE: CLHS takes next step toward prominence
However, the Crusaders still managed to maintain a respectable performance throughout the Winter season, going 9-9 (5-7 vs. District) while earning a trip to the TAPPS postseason.
CLHS is optimistic for the future of the program as the squad displayed signs of potential prominence on the pitch.
Concordia's Sr. Captain, Katelyn DenleyJustin Hartojo (VYPE)
“After losing nine senior starters last year, we knew this would be a rebuilding year,” said coach Kanagasabai UmaShankar (“Coach Uma”). “We had a competitive starting lineup with a handful of inexperienced athletes filling in throughout the season. Injuries impacted our ability to build chemistry until late in the season, and going into playoffs we lost three starters to serious injuries prior to the playoff game. And two during the game. That being said, with a rebuilding team beset with injuries, this season was a great success in how hard we competed in every game.”
Some of the stars who stepped up for the ‘Saders included senior captains CB Katelyn Denley (UT-Tyler signee) and CB Madison Price and sophomore defender Grace Taylor -- all of whom comprised the backline to aid sophomore GK Sarah Bowen in goal.
Concordia GK Sarah BowenJustin Hartojo (VYPE)
Furthermore, the midfield was anchored by juniors Emerson Blevins and Eva Lanier, which was bolstered by defensive middles Avery McIyntre (Sr.), Leah Hernandez (Fr.) and sophomore Presley Barrett playing wing. Offensively, the attack was led by forwards Alessandra DeWenter (Sr.) and Gretchen Kastenschmidt (So.), who combined 26 goals and 12 assists throughout the year.
“All of the starting 11 elevated their game this year and found success, collectively,” Uma said. “I’m not sure that we had any one unit that was the strongest. In fact, each unit got to shine and we had a very solid lineup overall.”
Concordia's Jr. Midfielder, Emerson BlevinsJustin Hartojo (VYPE)
Since becoming the coach of Concordia Lutheran girls soccer five years ago, Uma has gradually instilled a certain culture into the program.
“We work really hard as a coaching staff to instill team unity and chemistry from the beginning,” he said. “We talk about building for success and playing our best soccer at the end of the season, by stressing accountability and earning your minutes on the pitch. Our athletes work through their adversities and through failures, and all the while we remind them of their value not in the sport, but rather in Christ. Overall, we dealt with many challenges in incorporating over a dozen new players into the team, In the end, I felt we got to be a team with one mission.”
Concordia Sophomore Forward, Gretchen Kastenschmidt Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Through the experiences of this season, Uma anticipates that his team to continue buying into the culture in order to further propel them to success in the future.
“We will be graduating seven seniors, including three of our core starters this offseason,” said Uma. “Yet, I feel confident with the growth and development of many of the younger athletes and looking forward to another season of soccer in nine months. Overall, the program is heading in the right direction toward sustained success at TAPPS 6A.”
Alessandra DeWenter
