GAMES
RANKINGS
Whataburger Team of the Week: Barbers Hill SB punches ticket to State Final in a dominant display
The Barbers Hill softball program left no doubt about its championship aspirations with a commanding 4-0 win over Smithson Valley in the UIL 5A-Division I State Semis last Thursday at Waller High School.
Earning recognition as the Whataburger Team of the Week, the Eagles were elevated by senior pitcher Hailey Nutter, whose performance was nothing short of spectacular.
Barbers Hill Sr. RHP Hailey Nutter delivers a master-class performance, with a total of 18 strikeouts against Smithson ValleyMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
The University of Kentucky-signee struck out 18 batters and recorded a no-hitter — albeit an unconventional one — in a statement outing that propelled Barbers Hill into the State Final for the first time since 2021.
“To stay locked into the goal I make sure that I don’t let anything on the outside get in my head, and focus on what I can accomplish with my catcher,” Nutter said. “When you get out in front of all of this it can be easy to get distracted. So, keeping the concentration with her helps to block it all out.”
Nutter and sophomore catcher Zoey Hood have a conversation on the pitcher's moundMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
The Eagles’ offense came alive in the third inning, where they did all of their scoring.
Junior AshLynn Cooper sparked the surge with an RBI double, followed by a sacrifice fly from Nutter. Sophomore Aybrie Corona then delivered the knockout blow — a two-run homer that gave Barbers Hill a comfortable cushion and sealed the game’s momentum.
With the win, Barbers Hill improved to 35-3 on the season and secured its place in the championship game — a feat they last accomplished in 2021, when they captured the program’s first state title with a 4-1 victory over Aledo.
Head coach Aaron Fuller reflected on how this senior class has come full circle.
HC Aaron Fuller speaks with his team after their 4-0 win against Smithson Valley Thursday.Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“This group of seniors were eighth graders, in the stands watching, when we won it the last time around,” Fuller said. “They saw that and they know it’s a possibility. Ever since their freshman year, that’s all they’ve wanted — the opportunity to dog-pile in Austin.
“We’ve had the talent each year, but we’ve run into great teams and have just fallen short. But we’ve inched closer each season. Our seniors have been determined to lead us to this point and get us over the hump, and it showed in this game.”
Barbers Hill will now face defending state champion Melissa (37-1) in what promises to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the spring. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM this Friday at UT-Austin’s Red & Charline McCombs Field.
Bridgeland's Sydney Jackson
WE ARE HER: H-Town's top collegiate prospects on the softball diamond; photo gallery
The city of Houston is loaded with national recruits who will continue their playing careers at the collegiate level.
From elite pitching and power-hitters, to dynamic defenders and explosive base-runners, the Bayou City is the super-center of college recruiting.
Here are some of the city's top prospects, who will be seen playing at universities, from coast to coast.
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THE ARMS
(In alphabetical order)
SAVANNAH CARTER, Klein Collins -- Texas State
KEIRA CROSBY, TWCA -- Duke-commit
DALANEE EKSTER, Cy Fair -- Temple
LEAH HAMMACK, Magnolia -- Houston Christian
CAMERYN HARRISON, Katy -- Arkansas
SYDNEY JACKSON, Bridgeland -- Syracuse
MATTI MATTHEWS, Alvin -- North Texas
HAILEY NUTTER, Barbers Hill -- Kentucky
LAURYN SOEKEN, Katy -- LSU-commit
ELLE KATE "EK" SMITH, Katy -- 2026
PEYTON TANNER, Brazoswood -- Tennessee
KAITLYNN TORRES, Grand Oaks -- Houston-commit
...
THE POSITION PLAYERS
CHLOE ALDRICH, Friendswood -- Texas Tech-commit
CHAYNE ALLEN, Bridgeland -- Louisiana-Lafayette
ALYSSA ARNALL, Atascocita -- Stephen F. Austin
ELLA BOYER, Oak Ridge -- Kansas-commit
SHYLIEN BRISTER, Clear Brook -- Texas
JADE BUBKE, Magnolia -- Washington
BAILEIGH BURTIS, Friendswood -- Rutgers
GABBY CASTILLO, Fulshear -- Oklahoma State
CALI CHAPMAN, Summer Creek -- South Florida-commit
BRAELYN DANIELS, Ridge Point -- LSU-commit
MADALYN DAVIS, Lake Creek -- 2026
CHARLEIGH ESPARZA, Friendswood -- Texas Tech
AVERY EVANS-PICKENS, Porter -- 2026
ABBY GARZA, Grand Oaks -- Texas State
KHAMARI HALL, Clear Creek -- Arkansas-commit
PEYTON HELMLY, Barbers Hill -- Sam Houston State-commit
MONTGOMERY HENDERSON. Katy -- Oklahoma State-commit
KENNEDY HILL, Heights -- Incarnate Word
KILEY HUFFMAN, Alvin -- Texas Tech
EMMA KING, Clear Springs -- Wisconsin
BROOKELYN LIVANEC, Barbers Hill -- Wichita State
RAENNA LISCANO, Pearland -- Louisiana-Lafayette
ALLY MOONEYHAM, Crosby -- Nichols State
ELLA MCDOWELL, Foster -- Arkansas
ABBEY PAPADIMITROU, Kingwood Park -- Sam Houston State
LONDON PARK, Spring -- Illinois-commit
FAITH PIPER, Cinco Ranch -- Baylor
ABBY PTAK, Alvin -- Boston College
ARIEL REDMOND, Oak Ridge -- Houston
ASHTYN REICHARDT, Katy -- Arkansas
KAYLEE SCHWEITZER, Pearland -- LSU
ADDYSON SHEPPARD, Kingwood -- Arizona
SOPHIE SMITH, Klein Oak -- Missouri
ALISA SNEED, Conroe -- Texas-commit
CARMEN URIBE, Lake Creek -- Central Arkansas
KAMRYN WALLMAN, Seven Lakes -- Arkansas
ALLIE WILLIAMS, Episcopal -- New Mexico
...