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Baytown Lee's Levay Duncan Jr.
NEXT IN LINE: Can Duncan live up to historic lineage of Lee's QB?
Former Gander coach Dick Olin founded the concept of a State 7-on-7 Tournament decades ago, with the goal of getting his signal-callers some reps.
The lineage of QBs at Lee is historic, starting with Jermaine Alfred (Baylor), which led to the likes of Clint Stoerner (Arkansas), Ell Roberson III (Kansas State), Olin’s stepson Drew Tate (Iowa) and Brian Johnson (Utah).
How about this for full circle? Brian Johnson is now the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, where he coaches star QB Jalen Hurts.
Who has just been hired to be the offensive coordinator at Baytown Lee? Averion Hurts Jr., the older brother of Jalen Hurts.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
So, let’s say that senior QB Levay Duncan Jr. is in good hands. Could he be in line to be the next great Gander QB?
Duncan is coming off of a junior season when he threw for over 1,500 yards and 16 TDs. The dual-threat QB rushed for more than 300 yards and another six scores.
“Coach Hurts has helped me improve my mechanics so much,” he said. “I’m more prepared to play the position and understand the schemes a lot better.”
Heavy is the head that wears the crown, however, which means that much is expected of the QB1.
2023-24 Baytown Lee FootballJamey Wright (VYPE)
“It’s feels great to be the leader of this team, but a little weird also,” he laughed. “I feel that everyone is looking up to me to do everything right. That is making me a better player and person. Having people cheering for you and supporting you in this position is a blessing and gives me hope."
"My goal is to throw for 300 yards agame and lead us to the playoffs,” he said. “I believe in this team.”
Let’s see where this new high-flying offense can take the Ganders. Can they repeat history?
Goose Creek Memorial's Aracely Nunez
SHE'S BACK!: Nunez's journey from sideline to star at GCM
Considering the impressive explosiveness and awareness she’s shown on the court, it’s no wonder Nunez has become an offensive weapon from the outside spot for both GCM and her club team (Xcel).
Now that she enters her senior season, it goes without saying that she’ll be the alpha of the group.
“I think I have pretty good leadership skills,” said Nunez. “When I’m with my team, I feel like I’m naturally friendly and try to lead by example, which I feel like they pick upon when it’s game-time.”
Some of the stars of 2023-24 GCM VolleyballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
It’s not difficult to see why Nunez has such a rapport with her teammates. Her likable personality makes it easy for her volleyball peers to interact with her.
However, it might be surprising to hear that she also plays golf in her free time. Though the two sports may seem unrelated, Nunez has gained a valuable trait through it.
“Patience,” she said. “I’m continually learning how to be patient in both sports, especially with the short game in golf. It can be really difficult, since I just started playing but it’s so fun and has helped me to focus when I’m trying to accomplish something.”
Nunez certainly has experience in being patient, after she was sidelined for over a year due to an injury she suffered in her sophomore season.
“I tore my ACL during a match a couple of years ago,” Nunez said. “So, I was completely out of the game for the whole season and it was painful. I’d never really been injured before, so it was a pretty traumatic experience. When I came back, I was a more well-rounded player and have never stopped trying to get better.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
While it may have been odd for her to be on the bench rather than on the court in that time span, Nunez’s experience during her recovery didn’t make her complacent in the slightest.
“My observation skills got much better,” she said. “Whenever I was out, I would be helping out with stats on the bench. I also saw how players would react and how they moved on the court. That helped me a lot, seeing the game from a different perspective.”
Given the severity of an ACL tear, one can imagine that Nunez might have been worried about re-injuring her knee when she stepped back onto the court.
“I think about it a little bit,” said Nunez. “I try to not play with fear because doing that would cause me to play down. I have a brace to help support it, so I will just go all-in from now on.”
After returning to volleyball in her junior year, Nunez has done nothing but improve.
She expects the same from her team this Fall.
“We missed out on the playoffs a year ago,” she said. “This season, I really see our potential. Our main goal is the postseason, and I know we’ll be willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it.”