GAMES
RANKINGS
The Seven Lakes Spartans claim an undefeated tournament championship with their 74-62 win over Klein Oak
2025 VYPE Holiday Invitational Recap: Seven Lakes Stays Hot, All-Tournament Teams Revealed
Per usual, Brazuca baller Isaiah Santos put on a master class in the Spartans’ four-game sweep in Aldine. The junior earned Tournament MVP honors for his steady, multi-faceted impact across every phase of the game, scoring and rebounding at will.
Tournament MVP Isaiah Santos, being presented the award by VYPE CEO Derek DusekMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
He wasn’t alone in raising the bar. UTSA-bound senior Nasir Price provided his signature blend of swagger and scoring punch, while Sean Mwesigwa (Sr. G) and Dean Spencer (Jr. G) supplied timely precision on both ends.
Add in Jose Martins, whose defensive disruption and downhill pressure have turned him into one of the tournament’s most relentless presences, and Seven Lakes’ rotation felt less like a lineup and more like a puzzle snapping together.
Yet for all the mounting attention, the Spartans have shown a refusal to be steered by it.
“We really preach this mindset to our guys: Did we get better today? They take it on themselves to fix what needs to be addressed. We’re focused on the process,” Heston said. “If we’re a better team than the day before all the way through, hopefully, March, I like our chances at the end of the year.”
Now, Seven Lakes shifts from statement wins to the next test: the district slate.
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TOURNAMENT AWARDS
MVP
Isaiah Santos, Seven Lakes
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS
FIRST-TEAM
TroyNelle Belle, Dickinson
Marcus Epps, Klein Oak
JJ Price, Trinity Christian Academy (TCA)
Nasir Price, Seven Lakes
Fola Sodipo, Tompkins
TroyNelle Belle -- Dickinson
SECOND-TEAM
Jaron Couture, CC Veterans Memorial
Valin Idusuyi, Dickinson
Jose Martins, Seven Lakes
Alim Olajuwon, Episcopal
Ramsey Sato, The Woodlands Christian Academy (TWCA)
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Rakin Ali, Klein Oak
Xavier Cooper, Aldine Davis
Nyle Harrison, Episcopal
Kenrik Kabano, Klein
Marley Maxwell, St. Francis Episcopal
Jeremiah Moore, CC Veterans Memorial
David Mosby, Nimitz
Carter Shipman, Tompkins
Chancellor Simpson, Klein
Drake Smith, Trinity Christian Academy (TCA)
Dean Spencer, Seven Lakes
Daryus Tasby, Klein
Sean Mwesigwa, Seven Lakes
Tyrie Wooten Jr., Klein Oak
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The 2nd-place finisher of the VYPE Holiday Invitational -- the Klein Oak PanthersMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
Seven Lakes Jr. G/F Isaiah Santos
BUILDING BLOCKS: Seven Lakes' State aspirations lean heavily on Santos' evolving ingenuity
Last winter, Santos averaged just under 21 points and 10 rebounds per game en route to securing District 19-6A Offensive Player of the Year honors. His standout showing also earned him a spot on the TABC 6A All-State team, cementing his place
among the most sought-after prospects in Texas.
Naturally, collegiate programs have already taken notice. The four-star recruit holds offers from Houston, UTEP, Sam Houston State, and UTSA—the last aligning him with teammate Nasir Price, who recently signed there.
Yet Santos measures his progress in more than accolades.
Matt Powell (VYPE)
“I think the most improvement I’ve seen within myself has to do with how vocal I’ve become,” he said. “Communicating is such an important part of basketball...developing that on both ends of the floor has really helped my game to come along.”
His growth has extended beyond the physical.
“They say that ‘your biggest enemy is yourself,’ and that statement isn’t wrong,” Santos reflected. “Sometimes there are things that I tell myself that can get in the way of how I perform. But, I’m starting to get better at countering that—just trying to get out of my own head in order to perform and overcome that doubt.”
On the court, Santos thrives under any circumstances.
“My situational awareness and drive are some of my better assets,” he said. “No matter what my role is, I’m doing whatever it takes to get the win...I know I can score, but I can do the little things too if it gives us the best chance.”
2025-26 Seven Lakes BasketballMatt Powell (VYPE)
Comparisons to NBA players such as Marcus Smart have followed, though Santos credits Giannis Antetokounmpo as his favorite player to watch, admiring the way he maximizes his potential.
Off the court, the “building” motif takes a literal turn when considering his ideal NIL sponsorship.
“It’s a reach, but I’d love to endorse LEGO,” Santos said. “That’s been my favorite hobby dating back to my childhood...I think that just relates to my personality, because when I start something I want to finish it. Overall, the most time-consuming set I’ve worked on is the Eye of Sauron from Lord of the Rings.”
As Seven Lakes looks to build on a 33-6 campaign that carried them to the 6A-D1 Region III Final, Santos stands at the center of the program’s next endeavor. His ascension mirrors the team’s ambitions, a reminder that the foundation of success is not just talent, but the deliberate effort and adaptability he continues to construct each season.
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