GAMES
RANKINGS
BATTLE RED: No. 12 Katy has balance at plate, on diamond
12. Katy Tigers (6A)
Katy reached the Regional Semifinals in 2025 after going 28-10 overall and winning District 19-6A. Wes Hearne should be ready to rock this year with senior shortstop Ashten Ballew returning after being a first-team, all-district pick a year ago. Ballew hit .316 at the plate with four homers and 20 stolen bases.
Houston-commit Jayden Stewart (4-1, 2.12 ERA, 39 Ks) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi-commit Anson Stuckly (4-3, 1.92 ERA, 34 Ks) will anchor the pitching unit for the Tigers in 2026. District 19-6A Newcomer of the Year Adriel Rivera will be their battery mate at the catcher position. Rivera hit .250 with 1 HR.
Other key returners include OF Kaleb Harrison (.260, 2 HR) and UTL Bennett Kahlan (.328).
Lake Creek Lions
THE PRIDE: No. 13 Lake Creek ready to COMPETE
13. Lake Creek Lions (5A)
The Lake Creek Lions roared to the Regional Semifinals in 2025, finishing 20-14-1 overall and as District 17-5A co-Champions. Jeremy Schramm enters his seventh season of leading Lake Creek (146 career coaching wins), and returns eight starters to the dugout, including reigning District 17-5A Newcomer of the Year Kaleb Foster.
All-State pitcher Caden Whitworth (National Park College-commit), Army-commit Reed Newkirk and first-team, all-district pick Jaxon Schramm are also set to return. Other key returners include Luke Logeman (LSU Eunice-commit; honorable mention, all-district)), Peyton Trummell (LSU Eunice-commit; second-team, all-district), Gavin Nabors (Angelina College-commit), Colin Wiederhold (LeTourneau University-commit), Jackson Marshall (UNC Asheville-commit), Aiden Leitz (Ranger College-commit) and Harper Heathcock.
The key to success for Schramm’s Lions will rely on the senior leadership as this team will play by the team motto “Compete” in 2026.