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STAR POWER: Auguste, Carlton, Minor carry banner for VYPE's Top 50 Females of 2023-24
Greater Houston is loaded with incredible female athletes who aren't just stars at their high schools but across the state and the nation.
Welcome to the female portion of VYPE's Hot 100 Athletes of the Year... a comprehensive list of public and private school boys and girls who became household names in Greater Houston.
So, how do we rank these elite athletes?
It's a tough criterium but VYPE combines performance on a local and state level, success in multiple sports, recruiting and college commitments, level of competition and what they meant to their respective programs.
Jaela Auguste of Grand Oaks was sensational over her career. The volleyball star led Grand Oaks to a State Championship last fall in dominant fashion. She's a generational talent headed to the University of Florida. But don't forget, she is the first Grizzly to medal in State Track and Field. As a sophomore, she earned silver in the high jump at State.
Seven Lakes' Justice CarltonBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Seven Lakes' Justice Carlton has an amazing story. She burst onto the scene as a freshman and was the next big thing on the hardwood. Carlton, however, suffered an ACL injury last summer, came back and was the MVP of the district. The University of Texas-signee was also named as a McDonald's All-American and played in front of the home crowd at the Toyota Center.
FBCA's Bayleigh Minor is a beast and she's only getting better. The junior is the biggest name in TAPPS track and field, having led the Eagles to three straight State Titles. Did you know she might even be a better volleyball player? Minor is crazy-athletic on the court and was a TAPPS all-state selection. She helped FBCA win a TAPPS State Volleyball title two years ago.
This list was so tough to rank because of the tremendous talent across all sports, but here are you Top 50 Females Stars of 2023-24.
VYPE’S TOP 50 FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
No. 1 Jaela Auguste, Grand Oaks (Volleyball)
No. 2 Justice Carlton, Seven Lakes (Basketball)
No. 3 Bayleigh Minor, FBCA (Track, Volleyball)
No. 4 Ella McDowell, Foster (Softball)
No. 5 Mercy Freeman, Rosehill Christian School (Basketball, Volleyball, Track)
No. 6 Maddie Peters, Pearland (Cross Country, Track)
No. 7 Halle Thompson, Grand Oaks (Volleyball)
No. 8 Me’Arah O’Neal, Episcopal (Basketball)
No. 9 Lillian Harden, Bridgeland (Track)
No. 10 Zachara Perkins, Summer Creek (Basketball)
No. 11 Kassie O’Brien, Cinco Ranch (Volleyball)
No. 12 Cameryn Harrison, Katy (Softball)
No. 13 Rylee Ferranti, Klein Oak (Wrestling)
No. 14 Hailey Nutter, Barbers Hill (Softball)
No. 15 Bella Flores, Kingwood (Golf)
No. 16 Wagoner Towsen, Seven Lakes (Soccer)
No. 17 Ashtyn Lewis, Iowa Colony (Track and Field)
No. 18 Bailey Warren, Fulshear (Volleyball)
No. 19 KK LeBlanc, Friendswood (Swimming)
No. 20 Ayla McDowell, Cypress Springs (Basketball)
No. 21 Mackenzie Collins, Shadow Creek (Volleyball, Track)
No. 22 Madeline Buckley, Magnolia West (Golf)
No. 23 Peyton Fadal, Barbers Hill (Volleyball)
No. 24 Peyton Tanner, Brazoswood (Softball)
No. 25 Avery Beckman, Friendswood (Wrestling)
No. 26 Sarah Fedoruk, Frassatti Catholic (Swimming)
No. 27 Madison Lambert, Katy Jordan (Soccer)
No. 28 Morgan Madison, Episcopal (Cross Country, Track)
No. 29 Celeste Robinson, Cypress Ranch (Track and Field)
No. 30 Shun’teria Anumele, FB Austin (Basketball)
No. 31 Ahona Chowdhury, The Woodlands (Tennis)
No. 32 Jaycee Jenkins, Rosehill Christian (Golf)
No. 33 Nadi’ya Shelby, Friendswood (Volleyball)
No. 34 Livy Sauvageau, Second Baptist School (Basketball)
No. 35 Sohana Spencer, Summer Creek (Soccer)
No. 36 Alyssa Jones, Fulshear (Track and Field)
No. 37 Okeke Ogechi, Hightower (Basketball)
No. 38 Kirra Musgrove, Lutheran South (Volleyball)
No. 39 Sydney Jackson, Bridgeland (Softball)
No. 40 Riley Rayome, The Woodlands (Wrestling)
No. 41 Samara Coleman, Grand Oaks (Volleyball)
No. 42 Zoe Nordmann, The Woodlands (Swimming)
No. 43 Michelle Li, Memorial (Tennis)
No. 44 Alice Volpe, Bridgeland (Volleyball)
No. 45 Allie Williams, Episcopal (Softball)
No. 46 Brianna Carrigan, Tomball Memorial (Soccer)
No. 47 Staucie Lees, Grand Oaks (Cross Country)
No. 48 Emrie Holt, Episcopal (Basketball)
No. 49 Brianna Rivers, Summer Creek (Track and Field)
No. 50 Sarah Chappelle, TWCA (Track and Field)
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HONORABLE MENTION:
Anna Blaine, Concordia Lutheran (Volleyball)
Jamison Louie, FBCA (Golf)
Blake Olivier, Episcopal (Soccer)
Kaleigh Frazier, Rosehill Christian (Track and Field)
Lauren Fincher, Friendswood (Soccer)
Lauryn Soeken, Katy (Softball)
Janiya Murphy, Summer Creek (Basketball)
Anahi Alvarado, Tomball Memorial (Volleyball)
Felicity Hamilton, Klein Cain (Cross Country, Track)
Kennedy Hill, Heights (Softball)
Adele Neuhaus, Concordia Lutheran (Volleyball, Basketball, Track)
Kailey Kennedy, Friendswood (Swimming)
Alisa Sneed, Conroe (Softball)
Chloe Morgan, Barbers Hill (Volleyball)
Ella Lee, Concordia Lutheran (Swimming)
Addy Sheppard, Kingwood (Softball)
Janey Leiker, Legacy Prep (Swimming)
Ella Morgan, Clear Lake (Soccer)
Audrey Terry, Grand Oaks (Volleyball)
Nicole Santos, Cypress Christian (Track and Field)
Gabriella Martinez, Cinco Ranch (Volleyball)
Kira Whitman, FBCA (Soccer)
THE LEADERBOARD: TAPPS State Golf Wrap; TWCA, LSA, RCS take gold once again
With the TAPPS State Golf tournament coming to a close, it was made perfectly clear that Houston was well-represented on the private school course.
Check out some of the major headlines to emerge from this week's competition.
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TWCA Boys program makes it four in a row
Photo acquired via Twitter (@twcasports)
There's no doubt about it, anymore. The Woodlands Christian Academy golf program is a dynasty.
Despite the fact that the stars of last year's championship team -- namely Aaron Pounds, Jake Maggert, Jack Ushner, and Sam McClure -- departed for college, coach Tanner Field and company still found ways to exceed expectations this Spring.
Look no further than their recent TAPPS-5A state title acquisition, which marks TWCA's fourth-consecutive championship.
They did so with a final score of 560, a whopping 19 strokes ahead of the second-place finisher, All Saints Episcopal.
The Warriors were led by Alex Malanga (3rd--137), Duke Heise (6th--140), Quentin Frost (T-7th--141), and Hudson Grace (T-10th--142), who all finished within the top-10, individually.
Given the dominance they displayed in 2024, it is unlikely that anything stands to change a year from now.
LSA Girls go back-to-back in TAPPS-5A
Photo acquired via Twitter (@TAPPS_Golf)
On the girls' side in TAPPS-5A, no team has experienced more success in recent memory than Lutheran South Academy.
After claiming the state title last season, the LSA girls program proceeded to repeat at Glen Rose's Squaw Valley Golf Course. Only, this time, they increased their margin of victory to 22 strokes, with a final tally of 677.
The Pioneers were led by sophomores Emma Poffinbarger (5th--157) and Addison Trahan (T-6th--158), who were both recognized as All-State recipients.
Under the direction of coach Geoff Stresman, LSA is now on the precipice of becoming a dynasty in their own right.
Logos Prep Girls takes gold
Photo acquired via Twitter (@TAPPS_Golf)
The Lady Lions were the top team to surface out of TAPPS-4A, finishing with a composite score of 708, which was a whole eight strokes ahead of Trinity Christian.
After finishing second overall a year ago, this victory was made especially sweet for Logos Prep, due to the efforts made by the team all Spring.
Coach Ben Bromberg had a trio of competitors end up in the top-10, including the state runner-up Audrey Kuntz (157), as well as Keira Wagner (8th--173), and Lauren Kuntz (10th--178).
Now that the precedent has been established, count on LP making a run for a repeat in 2025.
Rosehill Christian Boys finish on top yet again
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
When it comes to TAPPS-3A golf, Rosehill Christian has become the gold standard.
Back-to-back state titles speak for itself, and the RCS boys program took that a step further this week, by making it three in a row.
The Eagles finished with a total score of 637, and were elevated by the performances of Kaden Jenkins (1st--143), Aaron Evans (6th--158), and Rylen Cannon (9th--164).
While the girls' team narrowly missed out on a four-peat, coach Kristen Jenkins and co. still hold the distinction of having the 3A individual champ -- Jaycee Jenkins (134) -- among their ranks.
The scary thing about Rosehill Christian golf is the fact that they are still incredibly youthful, which bodes well for the team, moving forward.
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMERS AT STATE
TAPPS-6A BOYS
9th Place -- Tyler Rosson, St. Pius X (151)
12th Place -- Evan Anderson, Concordia Lutheran (155)
15th Place -- Landon Donnelly, St. Thomas (156)
..
TAPPS-6A GIRLS
2nd Place -- Sophia Ellestad, St. Agnes (142)
8th Place -- Etta Huffman, St. Agnes (153)
14th Place -- Emerson Swanner, Concordia Lutheran (166)
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TAPPS-5A BOYS
1st Place -- Eli Walker Campbell, FBCA (129)
T-7th Place -- Christopher Torn, Second Baptist (141)
12th Place -- Karsen Parker, Lutheran South Academy (143)
13th Place -- Carson Elder, Second Baptist (143)
18th Place -- Matthew Elder, Second Baptist (146)
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TAPPS-5A GIRLS
1st Place -- Jamison Louie, FBCA (142)
T-6th Place -- Zoe Nobile, Frassati Catholic (158)
10th Place -- Anastasia Rowlen, Second Baptist (166)
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TAPPS-4A BOYS
3rd Place -- Grayson Petru, Cypress Christian (138)
T-12th Place -- Micah Stewart, Bay Area Christian (149)
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TAPPS-4A GIRLS
11th Place -- Lauren Petru, Cypress Christian (179)
T-12th Place -- Claire Johnson, Cypress Christian (180)
15th Place -- Brooke Fledderman, Bay Area Christian (181)
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TAPPS-3A GIRLS
1st Place -- Jaycee Jenkins, Rosehill Christian (134)
4th Place -- Cayla Pavlik, St. Francis Episcopal (176)