GAMES
RANKINGS
Clear Springs' Makenzie Thomas
THE PLAYMAKERS: Prime Time, powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as we're now in the thick of the postseason!
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Iowa Colony Track & Field
My boss, Matt Malatesta, recently dubbed Iowa Colony “the new Fort Bend Marshall”—a nod to how quickly the Pioneers have become a dominant force in Texas high school track & field.
Under the leadership of Rachel Easley (Girls) and Aundra Long (Boys), Iowa Colony has made an immediate impact since opening in 2022.
The program burst onto the scene at last year’s UIL State Meet in Austin, with standout performances across the board.
Individually, Ashtyn Lewis claimed gold in the 400m and silver in the 200m, while Jayden Warren earned bronze in both the 100m and 200m. Ian Hill added a third-place finish in the 800m.
The relay teams were just as electric—Girls (1st in 4x400, 2nd in 4x200) and Boys (2nd in 4x100, 2nd in 4x400, 3rd in 4x200)—culminating in dual team titles at the 4A level. The boys shared the championship with Gilmer.
Now competing in Class 5A, the Pioneers haven’t missed a step.
Lewis, Warren, and Hill continue to excel, joined by emerging names like Xavier Bellard and Daniel Swiney. Their dominance was on full display at the recent Regional meet, setting the stage for another strong showing in Austin.
Normally, our PLAYMAKERS section highlights individual athletes. But this time, the spotlight belongs to the entire Iowa Colony program—a powerhouse that has earned every bit of recognition heading into the State Meet.
Grant Shepherd -- Pearland Baseball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Oilers head into the 2025 postseason with a strong 21-7 record, following a second-place finish in the District 22-6A standings (13-3).
With the updated playoff structure, they enter as the district’s No. 1 seed in Division I—armed with momentum and experience.
Though Texas A&M-commit Nico Partida continues to be the focal point on offense and defense, he’s not alone in the effort.
Junior left-hander Grant Shepherd has quietly established himself as one of Pearland’s most reliable two-way players.
When Partida isn’t on the mound, Shepherd often gets the call from head coach David Rogers—and with good reason. He’s kept his ERA under 2.00 throughout the season, using a versatile arsenal to keep hitters off balance.
But his contributions don’t stop there. Shepherd also sees time in the outfield and at the plate, where he’s posted a .275 batting average with seven RBIs and a home run to his name.
Pearland is set to open the playoffs against Fort Bend Travis later this week as they look to punch their ticket to the UIL State Tournament for the third straight year—with Shepherd playing an increasingly pivotal role in that pursuit.
Makenzie Thomas -- Clear Springs Softball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Despite finishing as the runner-up in District 24-6A, Clear Springs opened the 2025 postseason with authority.
The Chargers swept 23-6A powerhouse Summer Creek in convincing fashion—posting back-to-back wins (9-4 and 12-5), which improved their record to 19-6 – and sent a clear message to Houston-area contenders: they’re here to compete.
At the center of it all was freshman standout Makenzie Thomas.
In just her first playoff series, Thomas went 3-for-7 at the plate, launching three home runs, driving in five RBIs, and scoring four runs. Her performance not only helped propel Clear Springs into the next round but also introduced her as a rising force in the South Texas softball scene.
Alongside fellow impact player Erianna Garcia, Thomas represents the next generation of talent for a program looking to make a deep run.
Attention now turns to the upcoming series against Dobie, with Game 1 set for Wednesday night at 6:30 PM at La Porte High School. With their momentum growing, don’t be surprised if Thomas and the Chargers keep their hot streak rolling.
Jaylen Walker -- Lutheran South Academy Baseball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Lutheran South Academy enters the postseason not only as the No. 1 team in TAPPS Division II, but also as the top-ranked team in Texas, according to MaxPreps.
With a near-flawless 30-3-1 record, the Pioneers appear well-positioned for a deep championship run.
Much of the attention naturally goes to high-profile names like LSU-commit Omar Serna and Texas-bound Marcus Cantu. But junior Jaylen Walker continues to prove he's just as vital to LSA’s success.
The versatile outfielder and right-handed pitcher has been a steady presence in the lineup all season, and his recent home run—his sixth of the year—only underscores his growing impact.
Whether at the plate, on the mound, or in the field, Walker’s all-around contributions give the Pioneers an added edge.
He’s a reminder that Lutheran South’s depth extends far beyond its star power—and that could be the difference as the postseason heats up.
Leslie Sarduy -- Dobie Softball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
After finishing second in District 22-6A, Dobie entered the first round of the 2025 playoffs as underdogs against 21-6A champion Ridge Point.
But the Longhorns, led by head coach Robin Rackley, defied expectations—sweeping the Panthers with back-to-back wins (10-5, 10-7) to advance to the Area Round.
At the heart of that upset was senior Leslie Sarduy. The Midland College commit went 4-for-6 over the two-game stretch, tallying two RBIs, five runs, and a triple. Her impact was felt not only at the plate, but across the field—anchoring Dobie’s defense with veteran presence and composure.
Sarduy’s leadership has brought stability to a team looking to make a deep postseason run, and her recent performance suggests she’s far from done.
As the Longhorns prepare to face Clear Springs in the Area Round, all eyes will be on Sarduy to continue setting the tone for a team that's gaining momentum at just the right time.
Clear Creek's Khamari Hall
THE PLAYMAKERS: Calm Before the Storm, powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as we near the most critical point of the Spring!
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Sophie Sandel -- La Porte Softball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
La Porte’s dominant 18-1 win over Galveston Ball on Tuesday further cemented the Bulldogs as a team to watch in the upcoming UIL postseason.
Now sitting at 17-4-1, La Porte is in position to finish second overall in District 20-5A—and has the firepower to make some serious noise in the playoffs.
Scoring has come in bunches for coach Bryant Upshaw’s squad, which has racked up 173 runs across 22 games—an impressive average of nearly eight per outing.
At the heart of that offensive surge is senior catcher Sophie Sandel, who continues to anchor the Bulldogs on both sides of the ball.
A vocal leader behind the plate, Sandel has also been unstoppable with a bat in her hands, boasting a .529 batting average this season. She leads the team in RBIs (20), home runs (4), doubles (7), and triples (3), establishing herself as one of the most complete hitters in the district.
Sandel, who is committed to play at Texas State University next year, remains focused on the present. With the postseason just around the corner, she’ll look to help lead La Porte on a deep playoff run—and possibly add another chapter to an already stellar high school career.
Joshua Shelton -- Pearland Boys Track & Field
Pearland has long been known for producing top-tier track talent—and that tradition continued at the Area Meet (Districts 21-6A and 22-6A) held in Missouri City this past Friday.
Among several standout performances from the Oilers, junior Joshua Shelton delivered one of the most commanding wins of the day. Shelton captured gold in the 400-meter dash with a blistering time of 46.63 seconds—more than a full second ahead of the runner-up, Shadow Creek’s Jason Walker (47.92).
It marked Shelton’s second consecutive victory in the event, following his first-place finish at the District Meet the week prior, where he clocked in at 47.04 seconds.
His consistent improvement and ability to separate from the field have established him as a serious contender heading into the next phase of competition.
Shelton, along with several teammates who also earned podium finishes, will now prepare for the UIL 6A-Region III Meet, scheduled for this Friday and Saturday at Challenger Columbia Stadium in Webster.
With momentum on his side and a spot at the state meet within reach, Shelton is quickly emerging as one of the premier quarter-milers in Texas.
Khamari Hall -- Clear Creek Softball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
The Clear Creek softball program is in the midst of a remarkable resurgence.
After missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, the Wildcats punched their postseason ticket with a 7-3 victory over Clear Lake last Friday.
Now 16-5 overall and 10-3 in District 24-6A play, Clear Creek sits atop the standings and can clinch the district title with a win over Clear Springs on Thursday night.
The unquestionable catalyst behind the Wildcats’ turnaround is senior outfielder Khamari Hall, whose impact has been felt all season long.
Serving as the team’s leadoff hitter, Hall consistently sets the tone from the opening pitch. Her speed, poise, and presence at the plate have made her a nightmare for opposing pitchers, and her ability to spark early momentum has become a hallmark of Clear Creek’s success.
A University of Arkansas-commit, Hall will soon join a national powerhouse that already features Houston-area standouts like Ella McDowell (Foster) and Cameryn Harrison (Katy). But before she heads to the SEC, Hall has unfinished business with the Wildcats.
As the postseason approaches, Clear Creek will rely heavily on its veteran leader—one who has helped bring the program back to prominence and has the tools to carry it even further.
Cooper Harris -- Friendswood Baseball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Competing in the always-tough District 20-5A—home to contenders like La Porte and Santa Fe—Friendswood has shown resilience and poise throughout the 2025 season.
With just a couple of weeks left in the regular season, head coach Robert Benavides has his Mustangs firmly in the playoff picture. Friendswood currently holds a 15-6-1 record (7-2 in district) and looks to be in prime position to make a strong push down the stretch.
A major contributor to the team’s success has been the depth and reliability of its bullpen. Among the standouts, senior Cooper Harris is emerging as a go-to arm—and quite possibly the team’s ace.
Harris, a Sam Houston State-commit, made headlines earlier this month when he tossed a no-hitter in a 5-0 win over Iowa Colony on April 1. His command and consistency on the mound give Friendswood a reliable weapon as they eye the postseason.
With a well-rounded roster and a proven arm like Harris leading the charge, the Mustangs have the tools to make noise in the coming weeks. Their last trip to the UIL State Tournament came in 2022, and with momentum building, another deep run doesn’t feel out of reach.
Jannie Cardenas -- Manvel Girls Track & Field
With the Area round of the UIL Track & Field postseason now in the books, several standout athletes from the South Houston region have begun to separate themselves from the pack.
Manvel had no shortage of strong showings, with athletes like Naomi Johnson, Damerian Clerkley, Aubrey Riles, Nathaniel Hubenak, Ryann Humphrey, Max Soloman, Madison Byrd, and Julian Johnson all advancing to the Regional stage.
But perhaps the most impressive performance of the meet came from sophomore distance runner Jannie Cardenas.
Competing at Hall Stadium last Friday, Cardenas claimed gold in the 3200-meter run with a time of 11:29.80, and followed it up with a bronze finish in the 1600 meters at 5:23.88—outpacing older, more experienced runners in both events.
Her breakout at Area comes on the heels of a dominant showing at District, where she won the 1600 and finished second in the 3200.
With steady progression and an unwavering competitive edge, Cardenas is proving herself to be one of the top young distance runners in the region.
She’ll now turn her focus to the UIL Region III-6A Meet this weekend, with a potential trip to the State Meet in Austin just within reach.