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2025-26 La Porte Girls Basketball
THE LAYUP LINE: No. 11 La Porte Bulldogs
No. 11 -- LA PORTE BULLDOGS
Riding the high of a 28-11 season, a district title, and a lengthy playoff run that reached the Regional Semifinals, the Lady Bulldogs are set to make their mark in 5A once again.
With 15th-year coach Elisha Thompson back at the helm, the program flexes a wealth of experience to lead the charge.
At the forefront is senior Jakayla Glover, a TABC All-Region selection and first-team, all-district honoree. She’s joined by fellow first-teamer Sophia Rodriguez (Sr. G), along with second-team selection, Kaia Greenawalt (Jr. F). Furthermore, there will be plenty of input from the likes of Celeste Cruz (Sr. G), Skylynn Keever (Sr. F), and sophomore Isabella Rodriguez (So. G).
Though District 20-5A remains highly competitive — particularly with Iowa Colony and Friendswood — La Porte has the experience, talent, and coaching stability to contend at the top.
Whataburger Team of the Week: La Porte captures statement win over Kingwood; now gears up for PNG
Two games into the 2025 season, La Porte is already proving it belongs in the conversation among the state’s most competitive programs.
The Bulldogs improved to 2-0 with a 34-28 win over Kingwood last Friday — a victory that speaks volumes. Not only did they knock off a Class 6A opponent, but they did so against a team that made it all the way to the Region III Final a year ago.
Of course, La Porte isn’t short on postseason pedigree themselves. The Bulldogs advanced to the fourth round of the 5A-D1 playoffs in 2024 before falling to district rival Angleton — a team they’ll see again in a much-anticipated Halloween night rematch later this fall.
For now, though, the focus shifts to this Friday’s clash with Port Neches-Groves — a matchup that should be on the radar for any Texas high school football fan looking for another tightly contested game.
Offensively, La Porte’s bread-and-butter continues to be its ground game, headlined by the two-headed rushing attack of Sean Simon and Ashton Ruffin.
Simon, a standout sophomore and four-star recruit, has already racked up 500 yards and four touchdowns through just two weeks. Ruffin, a senior and two-way force, has tallied 356 total yards and six scores while also anchoring the defense as an all-district linebacker.
Senior QB Aiden Saenz provides stability under center, while sophomore wideout Payton Smith adds a youthful spark in the passing game. Up front, senior lineman Jake Hayman — last year’s District Offensive Lineman of the Year — leads a physical unit that’s opened up lanes for the backs to thrive.
Defensively, the Bulldogs are anchored by senior nose guard Luke Mora and safety Blake Stout, providing experience and toughness on a unit that will be tested against PNG’s dynamic offense.
Now in his fourth season at the helm, head coach Kevin Berneathy has built a team with the depth, discipline, and edge to compete deep into November once again. If early results are any indication, La Porte is picking up right where it left off.