GAMES
RANKINGS
Dickinson's Ciara Williams
THE PLAYMAKERS: Hot Streak Heroics powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as the tension continues to build throughout this Winter season.
Dyllan Baker -- Friendswood Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Throughout the first half of district-play, few teams are playing on the same level as Friendswood within the 5A classification.
A month after winning the Leroy Miksch Tournament in Needville, the Mustangs are riding high with an impressive 21-4 record, and most recently secured an integral 66-59 win against a thriving Iowa Colony squad last Friday.
Several individuals -- such as sophomore Chase Richardson, as well as seniors PJ Harris and Brady Fiesinger -- are responsible for the exceptional run that the team is experiencing.
However, it's hard to deny the impact that Dyllan Baker (Sr. PG) has made o n Friendswood's retained level of success.
The MVP of the aforementioned Miksch Tourney continues to showcase his proficiency as a scorer on a weekly basis, while also providing a steady veteran presence in the critical moments.
In adding to making noise in the college recruiting game, Baker, a two-time first-team, all-district selection, will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the Mustangs' mission to secure their first district title since 2014 in the coming weeks.
But, they'll have even greater aspirations down the line, after advancing three rounds deep in last year's postseason.
Akyla Fields -- Manvel Girls Basketball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Despite the challenge of moving up to Class 6A following the UIL’s off-season realignment, the Manvel Mavericks have proven they can compete with the best.
Under the guidance of Coach Jhared Marshall, the team has thrived, particularly in district play. Their dominant 69-22 victory over Pasadena Memorial on Tuesday night pushed their record to 8-3 in District 22-6A and 22-7 overall.
One of the standout contributors to the Mavericks’ success is senior Akyla Fields, who has stepped into a leadership role on a team that features a substantial number of underclassmen.
Fields, the reigning District Defensive MVP from their time in 18-5A, played a critical part in Manvel’s undefeated district championship and Regional Quarterfinals appearance in 2024. She has continued to deliver this season, providing a physical defensive presence and consistently contributing offensively.
Alongside Fields, junior Peyton Cooks (a first-team all-district selection in 2024), sophomore Kylee Yarborough (second-team), and freshman Jada Bankett have formed a dynamic core that has the Mavericks eyeing another deep playoff run.
But before they can turn their sights to postseason play, Manvel must first finish strong in district, beginning with a crucial showdown against Shadow Creek this Friday, as both teams are currently tied with 8-3 records, with the Mavs holding the advantage after claiming a 60-50 win earlier this year.
Ciara Williams -- Dickinson Girls Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Building on last year’s impressive 30-5 campaign and district championship, the Dickinson Gators are once again making a strong push toward the playoffs, now less than a month away.
After securing two nail-biting wins against Deer Park (55-54) and Clear Creek (65-62), the Gators are 20-8 on the season and 7-1 in District 24-6A, positioning themselves for a potential back-to-back district title.
What makes Dickinson such a dangerous team is the depth they possess.
Coach Toya Peterson has a wealth of talent to draw from, with seniors Jazmine Hansley and Kyndall Hosea capable of scoring 15 or more points in any given game, and junior Lindsey Scott consistently stepping up as a reliable contributor.
But the Gators' biggest asset remains their senior forward, Ciara Williams.
Named the District 24-6A Offensive MVP in 2024, Williams continues to lead her team in both points (13.4 per game) and rebounds (8.8 per game), while also contributing roughly 3 steals and an assist per contest. Her all-around play has been essential to Dickinson’s success.
With playoffs nearly secured, the Gators are focused on clinching the top seed in their district.
To do so, they’ll need to defeat Clear Brook this Friday, after the Wolverines edged them out in their first district meeting.
Regardless of where they finish in the standings, the consistent offensive firepower from Williams and her teammates puts Dickinson in a strong position for an extensive postseason run.
Asher Gaworecki -- Clear Lake Soccer
As the tournament portion of the new season concludes, the picture of Houston’s top soccer contenders is becoming clearer.
On the South side, the Clear Lake Falcons have gotten off to a strong start, holding a solid 7-2-1 record.
Though they recently suffered a tough loss to powerhouse Strake Jesuit, the Falcons have shown they can compete with some of the area’s most formidable teams.
Notable victories against Tompkins (4-1) and George Ranch (2-0) to win the recent Clear Creek ISD Tournament have sparked optimism as the squad aims to capture their second consecutive District 24-6A championship this March.
At the forefront of Clear Lake’s offense is junior forward Asher Gaworecki, who has been a key contributor to the team’s attacking success. Gaworecki has already scored 8 of the team’s 21 goals through 10 games, leading the Falcons in that department.
While Gaworecki is undoubtedly the team’s primary goal-scorer, his teammates—Anthony Abusada (3 goals), Josue Reyes (3), Jose Alvarenga (2), and Bryan José Barrios Francois (2)—have shown they are capable of stepping up when needed.
With district play starting next Tuesday with an away game against Brazoswood, followed by a crucial match against Clear Springs the following Friday, the Falcons are focused on continuing their strong form as they look to defend their district title.
Da'Niyah Lewis -- Shadow Creek Girls Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Competing in one of the toughest districts in the city—featuring heavyweights like Pearland, Dawson, and Manvel—Shadow Creek has nonetheless made a significant impact on the Houston-area basketball scene.
With a strong 21-8 record past the season's halfway point, the Sharks have earned impressive victories over teams like Fulshear and Alief Taylor (twice), and they boast an 8-3 district record.
A playoff berth is virtually guaranteed for Coach LaToya Micheaux’s squad, largely due to the standout performances of her star players.
Junior point guard Da’Niyah Lewis has been a driving force for Shadow Creek, leading the team in three major statistical categories. Averaging nearly 11 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals per game, Lewis has showcased her versatility and ability to influence all areas of the game.
In addition to Lewis, the Sharks have enjoyed balanced contributions from other key players. Zoe Senganya (9 ppg, 2 spg), Aliyah Woodard (9 ppg, 2 apg, 2 spg), and Preston Young (6 ppg, 6 rpg) have all played significant roles in the team’s success.
For a team that went three rounds deep in last year’s postseason, expectations remain high for Shadow Creek as they look to build on that momentum in the coming weeks.
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Pearland's Shiloh Grays
THE PLAYMAKERS: Bringing in the new year powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Month, as the Winter season heats up.
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Jordan Buckner, South Houston Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Trojans were expected to be a contender prior to the season starting, and they have certainly lived up to the hype.
Most recently, South Houston competed in the platinum division of the Lee College Classic, in which they advanced through the brackets to end up as the third-place finishers, despite facing some stout competition.
It's only natural that one of the team's captains, Jordan Buckner, would play a key role in their success.
The junior guard led the Trojans in scoring throughout the tournament (23.3 ppg), which is indicative of how he's performed in the Winter thus far.
South Houston currently boasts an impressive record of 18-6 and are 2-0 to begin district-play. If Buckner and company keep clicking this rate, they should once again battle for another district title before they enter the playoffs.
Da'Niyah Lewis, Shadow Creek Girls Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Shadow Creek is already well-within the mix of district competition, and while they may have experienced their fair share of trials and tribulations, that can be expected of a comparatively young team.
Despite their youth, however, the Sharks still remain in the third seed of their division (14-10; 2-1) and have shown that they are capable of getting the big wins with the talent on board.
Speaking of, sophomore Da'Niyah Lewis has stepped up considerably alongside fellow play-maker Krislyn Biscette to accomplish this feat.
Lewis has scored the second-most points on the team, while leading Shadow Creek in assists from the point guard position. This kind of performance will be essential moving forward, as this scrappy group contends among some tough district counterparts.
Jason Scott, Westbury Christian Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Westbury Christian is packed with talent, which was put on full display when they competed in the VYPE Invitational this past week.
The bread-winner for the Wildcats is unquestionably Jason Scott (Jr. PG) who leads the group in nearly all major categories (22 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg) which continues to propel WCS forward.
With district-play coming up, Scott's proficiency and connection with the other key contributors on the team -- Sebastian Mackey (Sr. G), Jayvien Cummings (So. G), and Cooper Harsworth (Sr. F) -- will be imperative to Westbury Christian's campaign to return to the TAPPS-3A title game.
Shiloh Grays, Pearland Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
As the new year begins, the Lady Oilers are picking up steam.
Their recent victory over district opponent Alief Elsik brings Pearland's win-streak to eleven, and their overall record to 22-4 (3-0 in district) with the remaining schedule seeming all-the-more favorable.
The emerging presence of Pearland's leading-scorer A'zyua Blair (Fr. G) cannot be overstated. However, fellow freshman Shiloh Grays been a game-changer in her own right.
Grays has been a contributor in all facets of the game, particularly in the rebounding department as she leads the team with nearly 200 on the year.
The district title is within the Oilers' grasp, and all signs point to a bright future for this growing program.
Aiden Mohammed, Yates Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Yates continues to prove that they are a genuine contender in the Class 4A race.
Despite competing in perhaps the most stacked district in the conference, that hasn't stopped the Lions (11-5; 4-2) from making splashes into 2024.
Most recently, Yates claimed first place in the gold division bracket of the Houston ISD tournament, which can be attributed to the stellar roster under coach Greg Wise's direction.
Aiden Mohammed, in particular, has been as proficient as they come.
The 6-foot-2 sophomore forward will certainly be one to watch for as the Lions seek to surpass last year's mark of reaching the Regional Quarterfinals.