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FAT BOY’S PIZZA Player of the Month: Grice was the key ingredient to Katy Taylor’s resurgence
Katy Taylor girls hoops experienced a surge of success in 2024, escalating the ranks within the loaded District 19-6A, and ultimately taking the No. 3 (28-7; 12-4 in district) spot prior to their first playoff berth since the 2018-19 season.
While head coach Blair Ary had a slew of weapons to utilize on the court, her center-piece was undoubtedly senior Timya Grice.
The 6-foot-5 center made her presence especially felt this Winter when she posted 34 points and a school-record 24 rebounds in a pivotal 58-43 victory over district counterpart Seven Lakes.
Considering the connection she shows with her teammates, it may come as a shock that Grice has only been with the team since January of 2023, after moving from Mauldin, South Carolina.
While it may be a daunting task for some to adjust to a new environment – and not just the occasionally brutal Houston weather – that hasn’t been the case for Grice.
Photo provided by Timya Grice (Twitter: @timyagrice22)
“I love Taylor,” she said. “The coaching staff is really great here, and they really connect with everyone. At Taylor, we’re all about unity, which really speaks to me. In the Bible, it says ‘where there is true unity, God commands a blessing,’ so that’s what we’re all about, and that’s what’s important to us.”
“Sure, we have our bad days, but we always have each other’s backs. Even now that we’re in the offseason, we’re all still very close.”
That same aspect of unity will undoubtedly come into play when Grice advances her game to the collegiate level, where she’ll play for Arizona State University.
Despite holding offers from other premier programs, such as Kansas State, something about ASU clicked with her.
“It was really about feeling,” said Grice. “Some people would ask me why I didn’t choose Kansas (State), but I honestly felt like I was treated better by the Arizona State staff, and that they liked me more. The head coach (Natasha Adair) and I got really close.”
“Even the weather played a factor. Everyone says the heat in Texas is awful, but I didn’t actually mind the Arizona heat. So, a lot of aspects came into play – if I would be safe over there, do they like me, etc. Overall, I’m confident in my decision.”
Photo provided by Timya Grice (Twitter: @timyagrice22)
Given the considerable maturity she embodies, one has to wonder what makes Grice tick, both on and off the court?
“For me, it’s more about being mentally in the game rather than physically,” she said. “You can do anything once you put your mind to it. So, I make sure that I pray before games and do my best to ensure that my mind is right. Of course, that transfers over to my regular life and aspirations, as well.”
The future Sun Devil certainly has a bright future ahead. With her mind-set, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Grice ends up in the pros one day.
PUSHING THE PACE: Summer Creek, FB Austin, Cy Springs trending in VYPE Girls Rankings
Summer Creek, FB Austin and Cypress Springs are Houston’s Big Three in 2024 heading into the girls basketball postseason.
Summer Creek and Fort Bend Austin are the queens of Class 6A Region III, while Cypress Springs and Klein Collins hope to get past the likes of DeSoto and Duncanville in Region II.
Class 5A will be an interesting battle with Lake Creek, Randle, Manvel and Montgomery trying to knock off Region III defending champion Fulshear. There is so much individual talent in the city as McDonald’s All-Americans Justice Carlton (Seven Lakes) and Me’Arah O’Neill (Episcopal) make their final playoff run.
Kinkaid and Rosehill Christian have legit shots are winning their respective leagues.
Stay tuned.
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VYPE’s Top 20 Public School Girls Basketball Teams
No. 1 Summer Creek
No. 2 FB Austin
No. 3 Cypress Springs
No. 4 Pearland
No. 5 Klein Collins
No. 6 Hightower
No. 7 CE King
No. 8 Seven Lakes
No. 9 Tompkins
No. 10 Lake Creek
No. 11 Katy Taylor
No. 12 Langham Creek
No. 13 Randle
No. 14 Dickinson
No. 15 Fulshear
No. 16 Dawson
No. 17 Katy
No. 18 Manvel
No. 19 Klein Oak
No. 20 Montgomery
Others To Watch: Nimitz, Tomball, Cinco Ranch, Memorial
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VYPE’s Top 5 Private School Girls Basketball Teams
No. 1 Kinkaid
No. 2 Rosehill Christian
No. 3 Episcopal
No. 4 The Village School
No. 5 Second Baptist School
Others To Watch: Concordia Lutheran, Bay Area Christian, Cypress Christian