GAMES
RANKINGS
Manvel's Peyton Cooks (Sr. CG)
THE PLAYMAKERS: Looking Fresh // Powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as the opening stages of this winter have already featured a multitude of stylish shooters.
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Courtland Cloud -- Shadow Creek Girls Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
There was no time wasted by surging shooting guard Courtland Cloud, who has quickly asserted herself as one of Shadow Creek’s most enthralling new additions. The former St. Pius X standout arrived fresh off a sophomore season that earned her first-team, all-state recognition in TAPPS-6A — and she’s carried that momentum straight into 2025.
Now a junior, Cloud has become a seamless fit within an already well-established Sharks program that has stormed out to a 13–1 start. A constant double-double threat, she’s pacing the team with 17 points and 7 rebounds per night, setting the tone on both ends.
For a squad that drew a tough opening-round matchup with Hightower in last year’s postseason, Cloud’s arrival feels like more than just roster enhancement. It’s a sign that Shadow Creek may be positioning itself for something bigger this time around.
Peyton Cooks -- Manvel Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Among the numerous Houston-area programs to enjoy hot starts to the winter campaign, Manvel has steamrolled its way to an 18-2 record under sixth-year head coach Jhared Marshall. Those impressive numbers aside, it’s the quality of opponents the Mavs have already dispatched – including district rival Dawson, Barbers Hill, Klein Collins, Cy Ranch, and Fulshear – that makes their upswing even more noteworthy.
And while this Manvel roster is equipped with exceptional balance and depth, it certainly isn’t without its alphas. Few have been quite as impactful as Peyton Cooks, a senior who has already built a strong résumé. Following a first-team, all-district selection last winter, Cooks not only continues to score well into the double digits, but has also shown her ability to keep teammates involved from the combo guard spot.
District 22-6A will be a gauntlet, but the rapid progression this group has displayed suggests the Mavericks are built to withstand it.
Chase Richardson -- Friendswood Basketball
Matt Powell (VYPE)
In the early stretch of winter play, Friendswood (11–4) has proven to be every bit the contender it was projected to be. That promise crystallized last week in San Antonio, where Danny Russell’s group went 4–1 at the South San Tournament — falling only to eventual champion Cibolo Steele. More than the wins, the trip offered a meaningful barometer for a roster that continues to show it can thrive just as comfortably in hostile territory.
At the heart of that rise is Chase Richardson, the most staggering weapon in Russell’s arsenal. One of the more fascinating blue-chip talents in Texas, Richardson brings a skillset that opposing defenses rarely contain, much less counter. His pin-point shooting, dynamic driving ability, no-look vision, and explosive bounce make him a matchup problem on every possession. A 2025 first-team, all-district selection, Richardson is firmly positioning himself as a legitimate 20-5A MVP candidate if his trajectory holds.
Journey Lovett -- Dawson Girls Basketball
Isaiah Vela (VYPE)
The Eagles haven’t skipped a beat in head coach Gary Douglas’ first year at the helm. Recently named the GHAGBA (Greater Houston Area Girls Basketball Association) Team of the Month, Dawson has been nothing short of mesmerizing through the tournament portion of its schedule.
As district play arrives, the Eagles (13-2) close November with a championship at the inaugural Hoopfest Invitational and a runner-up finish in the gold bracket of the McDonald’s Texas Invitational. With Duncanville, North Crowley, Cy Springs, C.E. King, and Houston Christian all left in their wake, it’s increasingly evident that this roster is constructed to contend.
Identifying just one standout from a group this deep is no small task. Last year’s 22-6A MVP Kendall Ford (Sr. CG), Ellison-transfer and reigning 16-5A MVP Faith Etienne (Jr. G), and first-teamer Mia Ibarre (Sr. G) all have legitimate claims to the spotlight.
Even so, Journey Lovett has more than earned her share of it. Having signed with Bradley University last month, the senior shooting guard continues to showcase the scoring punch that has long defined her game. Whether it’s her 25-point night against Angleton or a 30-piece versus C.E. King, Lovett seems magnetized to the scoreboard — a trait that will only elevate a Dawson squad aiming to build on last year’s run to the 6A-DI Region III Final.
Devan Brown -- Pearland Boys Basketball
Matt Powell (VYPE)
Momentum has quickly become Pearland’s calling card, as the Oilers have strung together 10 straight wins heading into their district slate. That surge was punctuated by an undefeated run at the Gulf Coast Classic, where they secured the championship with a 56–44 victory over Barbers Hill just a week ago.
Now sitting at 11–1, Pearland shows no signs of easing off the gas — due in large part to the steady brilliance of senior Devan Brown. Fresh off being named Tournament MVP of November’s Maroon Classic — another event the Oilers swept at 5–0 — Brown continues to anchor the offense with an efficient scoring touch that hovers around 20 points per night, often more.
Expectations were already substantial for this group, but the way Brown and Pearland have navigated their early schedule suggests those aspirations are well-founded. A run at the 22-6A crown would only reinforce the hype they’ve been building.
Pearland's Joseph Credit (Kansas-signee)
THE PLAYMAKERS: 2025 Gridiron Game-Wreckers // Powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Football Defensive Players of the Year, giving some well-earned credit to a handful of Southside's dynamic disruptors.
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Kah'ni Watts -- Iowa Colony Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Senior safety Kah’ni Watts has undoubtedly flourished in his expanded role this fall, proving capable of fulfilling virtually any task for the Iowa Colony defense. His production speaks for itself: 73 total tackles, 4 interceptions, 6 passes defended, and 2 fumble recoveries — numbers that make a first-team, all-district selection all but assured.
Watts also made headlines recently by flipping his commitment from Houston to Wisconsin, officially signing with the Badgers on Thursday.
His rise comes as Iowa Colony (12–1) prepares for a familiar showdown with district counterpart Randle in the 5A-D2 Region III Final. As noted in the UTMB Offensive Players of the Year edition, both sides can score in bunches, placing a premium on which defense can limit mistakes and generate timely takeaways.
Regardless of how Friday plays out, IC’s Kah’ni Watts deserves recognition for the multi-faceted impact he has delivered throughout 2025.
Joseph Credit -- Pearland Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Seldom does one find an individual athlete who can contribute at the level Joseph Credit demonstrated for Pearland’s defensive unit. Granted, an off-ball linebacker like Credit can typically rack up tackles — but the recent Kansas-signee managed to do considerably more.
Of the 94 tackles he accumulated this fall, an impressive 29 came behind the line of scrimmage, including 9 sacks, showcasing his impeccable instincts as a senior captain for the Oilers. He also added an interception, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries — one of which he returned for a touchdown — further highlighting his all-around impact.
Suffice it to say, Credit was ultimately named the District 22-6A MVP, a distinction rarely awarded to a defensive player. Yet this one feels entirely fitting, considering he served as the heart and soul of a Pearland squad that capped off 2025 with an undefeated district title and an 11–1 final record.
Ashton Ruffin -- La Porte Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
After earning first-team all-district honors for his work on defense a year ago, senior Ashton Ruffin affirmed this fall that he could be equally valuable to La Porte on the other side of the ball — if not more so. In a season that saw the Bulldogs finish 9–2 and secure back-to-back undefeated district championships, Ruffin’s influence was patently unmistakable.
From his linebacker post, Ruffin delivered a team-leading 7 sacks and 48 total tackles, production impressive enough on its own. Factor in that he also piled up nearly 1,300 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns from the tailback spot, and it becomes coherent how he ultimately earned District 11-5A-D1 MVP honors by season’s end.
And while his college recruitment currently remains open, it seems only a matter of time before Ruffin lands with a future program — one sure to benefit from the same versatility and consistency he brought to La Porte over the years.
Tommy Baker -- Shadow Creek Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Tommy Baker — also known as Giavani Baker — was a genuine difference-maker for Shadow Creek this fall. As a senior linebacker and team captain, he anchored a defense that allowed just 18 points per game, guiding the Sharks to an 8–4 finish and a run to the 6A-DII Area Round.
Baker’s numbers stand out: 69 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 2 passes defended. Yet stats only tell part of the story. His timing and ability to read plays before they developed made him a constant threat — a disruptor who forced opponents to adjust their game plan.
For the second consecutive year, he was named District 22-6A Defensive MVP, a testament not only to his production but also to the leadership and consistency he delivered on every snap. Replacing that level of tenacity will be no small task, but one thing is certain: Tommy Baker left an indelible mark on Shadow Creek football.
Brynden Mack -- Angleton Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Angleton’s front-seven set the tone for the Wildcats this fall, combining relentless pressure with shutdown run-stopping to make life difficult for every opponent. Central to that effort was Brynden Mack, a senior defensive end whose performance earned him District 11-5A-D1 Defensive MVP honors.
Mack recorded 46 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and led the team with 7 sacks, sharing the spotlight with fellow senior Kawarren Scott on the line. His ability to disrupt plays before they developed created momentum-shifting opportunities and consistently put Angleton in control of games.
The Wildcats allowed just 15 points per contest, a figure that reflects both Mack’s impact and the cohesion of the unit in front of him. In totality, the group finished the 2025 campaign with a 9–2 record, taking second in the district and marking the program’s fifth straight postseason appearance (excluding the COVID-impacted 2020 season).