GAMES
RANKINGS
Whataburger Team of the Week: Tomball writes storybook ending in UIL title run
In doing so, Tomball not only reclaimed the throne it lost last spring in a narrow defeat to Kingwood, but also added a third state title to its history, joining the trophies collected in 2013 and 2024.
Moments after the final out, the Cougars emerged in bright red shirts emblazoned with the words "Taken Back"—a fitting tribute to the team's season-long rallying cry, #TakeItBack.
Entering the season, questions lingered after several key departures, but the Cougars responded by putting together one of the most dominant campaigns seen in recent memory.
Tomball senior CJ Sampson lifts the 6A Division II State MVP award toward the crowd and his teammates in celebrationMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I think we were underdogs to begin the season because we had a few guys leave,” senior pitcher CJ Sampson said. “We went out there and proved everybody wrong, ended up being the No. 1 team in the country, and also proved everyone who believed in us right.”
Sampson, a Texas A&M signee, punctuated his high school career with a State MVP performance. The senior right-hander allowed no earned runs while striking out eight batters during the final, and also going 2-for-3 at the plate.
The Cougars' success extended throughout the roster. Sampson, Catcher Hopkins, Daniel O'Briant, Caleb Gafford, Nolan Rush, and Keagan Fosdick all earned selections to the State All-Tournament Team following the title-clinching weekend.
Catcher Hopkins (right) poses with Sampson (left), both biting into their newly earned gold medalsMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
For Hopkins, another Texas A&M signee, the accomplishment carried added significance. After helping Tomball win a championship as a sophomore and experiencing heartbreak in last year's title game, the senior finished his tenure by bringing the Cougars back to the top.
“It's really hard to top my sophomore year, when I won it for the first time,” Hopkins said. “But there's nothing like being a senior, playing my last game in a Tomball jersey, and doing it all with a target on our backs. After falling short last year, getting back to this point and getting the job done—it's the best feeling in the world.”
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Whataburger Team of the Week: Lake Creek Wins Battle of Wills, Completes Repeat for 4th UIL State Title
Despite making its first UIL State Tournament appearance, Brewer came out swinging. Kamren Pride set the tone in the top of the first with a three-run home run off the left-field foul pole, giving the Lady Bears an early 3-0 lead.
Lake Creek, however, responded behind the poise of pitcher Sara Wiggins, who exuded the “unbothered” mentality head coach Candyce Carter often attributes to her Wichita State-bound senior. Wiggins and the defense settled in, allowing just two unearned runs—both in the fifth on a fielding error—the rest of the way.
Lake Creek Sr. RHP Sara Wiggins (Wichita State signee)Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
The Lions chipped away in the second, with an RBI triple from Gracee Brewer followed by a sacrifice fly from Miranda Orso to cut it to 3-2. In the third, Wiggins delivered a two-RBI double to give Lake Creek the lead, with Laney Galloway adding a groundout RBI for insurance.
Brewer tied it at 5-5 in the fifth, but senior Madalyn Davis scored the decisive run later that inning on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Wiggins.
Davis, who will soon continue her playing career at North Carolina, was named the 5A Division II State MVP after going 2-for-3 at the plate, scoring two runs, and recording two stolen bases in the win.
Senior Madalyn Davis (North Carolina) is presented with the 5A Division II State Tournament Most Valuable Player AwardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
Reflecting on the performance, she credited the team’s resilience.
“Before the game, we knew that we’d be facing some adversity,” Davis said. “So, being able to overcome the situation and rely on each other to come through and win the game was really awesome.”
At the conclusion of the celebration in front of a sold-out crowd, head coach Candyce Carter—who was quickly doused with a water cooler by juniors Morgan Winn and Bella Kirby—led Lake Creek (40-1) to back-to-back state titles. In the process, the win also marked the program’s fourth state championship in the span of just five seasons.
“I think composure is something we talk about a lot, and these girls have a ton of it and a ton of grit,” Carter said. “The playoffs really played a big role in preparing us for this moment. I’m just really proud of them and can’t say enough great things about how much I love this group and what they mean to me—especially the nine seniors leaving as back-to-back state champions.”
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
