GAMES
RANKINGS
Clear Falls' Hunter Lehman
THE PLAYMAKERS: Spooky Season, powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as the Fall season begins to wrap up.
...
Aiden Fitzgerald -- Friendswood Cross Country
With the UIL Cross Country State Meet taking place this weekend, hundreds of athletes throughout Texas are convening at Old Settler's Park in Round Rock to determine who stands above the rest.
Among the numerous Houston-area competitors preparing at the starting line, there might just be one out of Friendswood who can win it all in Class 5A.
It comes as no surprise to see Aiden Fitzgerald back at this stage, after he finished 11th overall in last year's final which resulted in him being named to the 2023 All-VYPE XC Team.
Most recently, the junior Mustang took gold at the UIL-5A Region III Meet, with an astounding time of 15:19.73 in the 5K race.
Don't be surprised if you see Fitzgerald wind up on the winner's podium by the end of the Saturday's event.
Emerson Chang -- Manvel Volleyball
Alex Hinson (VYPE)
Despite facing some tougher competition -- particularly district counterparts Pearland, Dawson, and Shadow Creek -- since moving up to Class 6A in the UIL realignment, Manvel has continued to embody their traditional sense of excellence.
The Mavs (27-13; 10-6 in District 22-6A) recently secured a playoff spot with their sweep over Dobie, marking the 12th straight season that they will enter the postseason.
We've spoken plenty of the offensive threat this team poses, with the likes of Nevaeh English, Kenedy Massie, and Kaycee Pennie keeping opponents on their toes.
But, as we all know, this is team game, meaning there should be some credit to bestow upon the other integral role players.
Speaking of, junior DS Emerson Chang has been a dynamic force on the defensive side of the net.
As it stands, she has registered 328 digs during the regular season, in addition to contributing 49 assists, which has allowed her teammates to flourish.
All the pieces are coming together for Manvel. This will be a group worth watching in November.
Hunter Lehman -- Clear Falls Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Knights enter the tenth week of the season with an impressive record of 5-3, most recently trouncing district opponent Clear Brook by the score of 70-14.
Naturally, one might assume that the team's offense (39.5 points scored per game) has been its greatest asset, based on that score-line -- and one would be correct.
However, throughout the majority of the Fall, Clear Falls' defense has played exceptional complementary ball, which doesn't always show up on a stat-sheet.
The fact that they've held opponents to under 17 points a game has provided their teammates with ample opportunity to secure wins.
Among the several key contributors on the defensive side of the ball for CFHS, junior Hunter Lehman continues to be the rock of the group.
Lehman has already tallied 89 tackles (roughly 11 per game) on the year -- 7 of which were for loss -- which is a testament to the drive he incorporates from the MLB position.
Paired with fellow junior linebacker Preston Pitts (83 tackles, 22 TFL, 6 sacks), the Clear Falls D gets scarier with each week that passes.
Bella Law -- Shadow Creek Volleyball
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Shadow Creek Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Shadow Creek has been one of the more quietly dynamic clubs in the Houston-area for the vast majority of this year.
With the playoffs looming, the Sharks (32-10) remain in our Class 6A Top-25 after sealing the third place spot in District 22-6A and now have their sights set on more.
As expected, Texas A&M-commit Mackenzie Collins (533 kills) is the team's nucleus, elevating an already-talented group that features the likes of Aspen Brown (319 kills), Lauryn Wiley (419 digs), Kennedy Proctor (104 blocks), Tamarria Mitchell (283 kills), and Kelly Kelsick (393 receptions).
The one orchestrating the whole operation, however, is none other than Bella Law.
From the setter position, the Shadow Creek junior has facilitated every possession, evidenced by the fact that she has accrued a whopping 1,151 assists during the regular season, in addition to securing 337 digs.
If the offense was an arrow, Law is the bow, which will be made perfectly clear when SCHS embarks upon what could be a lengthy run in the postseason.
Chris Creedon -- Clear Creek Cross Country
As mentioned earlier, the final meet in the UIL Cross Country season will begin this Friday, bringing all the hard work each individual has put forth to a thrilling conclusion.
Clear Creek's Chris Creedon has plenty of experience in this arena, considering he competed in the State Meet just one year ago.
Creedon punched his ticket this past week, when he produced a remarkable 5K time of 15:27.96 to place fourth overall at the UIL-6A Region III race.
He'll have some stiff competition to match up with, given the circumstances. However, the achievements he's already tallied are worth acknowledging.
Manvel's Kenedy Massie
THE PLAYMAKERS: Just Getting Started powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as the Fall season begins to heat up.
...
Avery Koonsen -- Pearland Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Following an exceptionally productive tournament season, Pearland has emerged as one of Houston's most threatening squads, as was expected.
As district-play commences, the Oilers currently tout a record of 23-4 -- most recently coming off a three-set sweep over Alvin.
While it is difficult to single out one particular player on coach Jamie Gill's roster, it's hard to argue the sudden impact Avery Koonsen has made after being named the District 23-6A Newcomer of the Year in 2022.
As it stands, the, now, junior outside hitter is averaging over 4 kills per set, and she's already nearing 300 kills on the season.
Alongside other key individuals -- such as Kimanni Rugley (North Dakota-commit), Cora Wolford, Emily Brock, and Adrienne Enriquez -- Koonsen and co. are going to be an undeniable force in the imminent postseason.
Dylan Proctor -- Clear Falls Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Knights opened the new season against an elite unit in Hightower.
While the Hurricanes would ultimately prevail by the narrow score of 19-14, Clear Falls certainly gave them a run for their money which bodes well for the foreseeable future.
This was clearly a defensive battle -- Hightower's specialty -- but that doesn't mean there weren't flashes of offensive prowess.
Senior WR/ATH Dylan Proctor was the bright spot for CFHS, having racked up 100 receiving yards on the night, including a 64-yard touchdown grab he secured after outpacing the opponent's secondary.
Additionally, Proctor contributed in the run-game on more than one occasion, which is nothing new for the dual-threat wideout/slot-back.
If last week was any indication, Clear Falls is not a team to be underestimated, as they look to compete for a District 24-6A title in the coming months.
Kenedy Massie -- Manvel Volleyball
Alex Hinson (VYPE)
Throughout the first half of the 2024 season, Manvel has showcased a barrage of talent that makes them one of the well-balanced teams since entering Class 6A.
There have been a few close losses against equally formidable groups such as Friendswood, Shadow Creek, and Montgomery along the way. But, the Mavs enter the district portion of their schedule with a notable record of 14-6.
Any one of the players on their starting rotation could be deemed this week's "play-maker" -- whether it be Nevaeh English (Jr. OH), Kaycee Pennie (Jr. MB), or Sami Guikema (Jr. DS).
However, it feels appropriate to give Kenedy Massie (PVAM-commit) this distinction for now, considering she's one of the lone seniors on coach Susan Kennedy's squad.
Let me be clear. I'm not just giving her seniority for the sake of it. She has definitely been balling.
From the setter position, Massie leads the team with well over 400 assists already, in addition to registering upwards of 100 digs thus far.
With the way she has elevated her teammates, the Mavs should be one of Houston's most noteworthy teams moving forward.
Jonah Williams -- Galveston Ball Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
What a way to kick off the season -- and I mean that quite literally!
Jonah Williams put the city on notice when he returned the opening kick-off for six points against Manvel, which was only the beginning.
The recent Texas-commit proceeded to score a total of five times in last Thursday's battle against the Mavs, in which Galveston Ball would secure the W by a 54-26 margin.
Williams has already established himself as one of, if not THE top recruit to come out of the Greater Houston-area in the class of 2025, and should only continue to build on that reputation as the Tornadoes progress this Fall.
Jamie Faseler -- Lutheran South Academy Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
It was no secret that LSA was going to a handful for the opposition to contend with in 2024, given that they reached the TAPPS-5A State Final a year ago.
Evidently, they haven't skipped a beat, now that they approach their district with a 13-3 record.
Texas A&M-commit Kirra Musgrove is performing as expected, as she leads the team in kills. But what's even scarier is the fact that her younger sister, Addison (Fr. OH), is right behind her in the stat-line. Of course, the assist-leader Aniston Collins is a worthy mention, as well.
However, one player who has subtly excelled among the crowded Pioneers court is senior Jamie Faseler.
From the DS spot, she has contributed over 110 digs in just 16 games, averaging north of 3 per set.
Suffice it to say, Lutheran South is back with a vengeance.