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Taylor's Timya Grice puts up a heavily-contested shot against Seven Lakes
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.
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Cypress Springs Girls Hoops
DOWN TO THE WIRE: Previewing the UIL GBB Regional Tournament
H-Town audiences are now on the edge of their seats, as we enter the UIL Regional Tournament.
Only 16 teams remaining in each respective class, and whichever group advances could very well become this year's state champion.
With that in mind, here are this week's matchups that fans won't want to miss.
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Summer Creek Bulldogs vs. Seven Lakes Spartans
2023-24 Summer Creek Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
It would almost seem inevitable that these two squads would eventually meet in the postseason down the stretch. Now that they each enter Round No. 4, tensions should be especially high.
Following their 65-31 victory over Shadow Creek, Summer Creek (33-3) extends their win-streak to 16, which marks the 400-win milestone for Coach Donny Ott. As the Bulldogs head into the Regional Tournament for the seventh-consecutive year, senior guard Janiya Murphy will likely be the difference-maker after putting up 16 points against Shadow Creek.
Also watch for seniors Mariyah Brown and Zachara Perkins, who contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, on Tuesday night.
However, they will face their toughest challenge yet when they face off against Seven Lakes (30-8) this Friday.
The Spartans are coming off a hard-fought 81-74 win over a red-hot Fort Bend Austin team, which was buoyed by the dynamic performances of the Carlton sisters -- Justice (Texas-signee) and Madison -- who combined for a whopping 54 points and 23 rebounds.
After coming off their 22nd straight victory, Seven Lakes will be more emboldened than ever. It will truly be a clash of the titans when these two squads meet at the M.O. Campbell Center on Friday night at 7:30 pm.
2023-24 Seven Lakes Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Cypress Springs Panthers vs. Duncanville Panthers
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Cy Springs Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Cypress Springs (30-2) has been on a war-path since the season began, and their 28-game win-streak is indicative of that.
Most recently, the Panthers are coming off a definitive 75-51 victory over Klein Collins in the Regional Quarters. Coach Taneisha Rogers will undoubtedly keep looking towards her big-three -- Ayla McDowell (20 ppg, 9 rpg), Jemini Mitchell (17 ppg, 7 rpg), and Mizzou-commit Ma'Riya Vincent (14 ppg, 4 rpg)-- to push the pace moving forward.
Cy Springs now looks on to face Duncanville (31-4), who has been on quite the run themselves.
The D'Ville Panthers feature a big-three of their own -- Mariah Clayton (14 ppg, 7 rpg), Chloe Mann (14 ppg, 4 rpg), and Kaylinn Kemp (12 pgg) -- which has them on a nine-game win-streak.
This won't be one you want to miss, when these two face off at the Panther Activity Center in Lufkin, TX, this Friday at 5:30 pm.
Pearland Oilers vs. Hightower Hurricanes
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Pearland Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Oilers (34-4) are coming off 43-41 nail-biter win over C.E. King, which brings their win-streak to a remarkable 23 straight.
Freshman phenom A'Zyua Blair (18 ppg, 3 apg) continues to be a difference-maker for Pearland, alongside senior guard Nyah Hardy (11 ppg, 2 apg), junior forward Eliece Perry (8 ppg, 6 rpg), freshman Shiloh Grays (7 ppg, 7 rpg), and senior La'Niah Thorton (7 ppg, 5 rpg).
Coach Jere' Adams will hope everything keeps clicking on all cylinders, as Pearland aims to return to the state tournament.
They'll have their work cut out for them, given how well Hightower (30-3) has been playing as of late.
With their recent dominant 60-23 win over Stratford, the Hurricanes have already surpassed their mark of the reaching Round No. 3 a year ago, and they don't intend to stop now.
Freshman center Ogechi Okeke (15 pts, 8 rebounds), and junior guard Kailee Beaudion (16 pts) led the way for Hightower against the Spartans, and will be depended on against Pearland, alongside senior guard Madison Bob . However, the most defining factor for the Hurricanes has been their stifling defense, which has limited opponents to just over 30 points per game on the season.
Will that be enough to stop Pearland?
H-Town audiences are certainly eager to find out, when these two titans tip-off on Friday at 6:00 pm, at the M.O. Campbell Center.
2023-24 Fort Bend Hightower Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Barbers Hill Eagles vs. Chaparral Bobcats
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Barbers Hill Girls Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Following their second-consecutive undefeated district campaign, Barbers Hill (30-7) carried over that momentum into the postseason.
Most recently, the Eagles emerged victorious from a 32-28 defensive battle against Manvel, which extends their win-streak to 14. Now, they prepare to face Chaparral (28-6) for the chance to play in the Region III-5A title game.
Coach Bryan Harris will look to his main-stays -- namely sisters Cynthia and Autumn LeCompte, as well as juniors Kynlee Kejonen and Rachel Glynn -- to propel his stellar squad further into the playoffs, which would surpass last year's mark of reaching the fourth round.
On the Chaparral side, coach Kiara Marshall has a trio of players -- Jerriyah Baines (15 ppg), Ivy Powell (14 ppg), Trinity Brown (10 ppg) -- who can pose a threat to the scoreboard.
The right to advance to Round No. 5 is on the line, and these two rosters will duke it out at the Kate ISD Merrell Center, this Friday at 7:30 pm.
Randle Lions vs. Hendrickson Hawks
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Randle Girls Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
In just their second year as a varsity program, Randle (28-8) has wasted no time establishing themselves as a Class 5A super-power.
The Lions enter Round No. 4 fresh off the heels of eliminating district rival Foster, in a 52-42 bout, which was highlighted by a clutch performance by senior guard Jaziel King, who had five three-pointers on the night.
Coach Christy Westbrooks and company now prepare to take on Hendrickson (29-7). King won't be the only weapon in her arsenal when Randle takes to the court, given how junior guard Alaysia Cook (14 ppg, 6 rpg) and sophomore Kurynn McNeill (10 ppg, 6 rpg) have been balling.
The Hawks, on the other hand, are eager for the chance to re-write last season's result, in which they narrowly fell 45-43 to Fulshear in the Region III final.
It will all go down 5:30 pm on Friday night, at the Katy ISD Merrell Center.