GAMES
RANKINGS
I'M LOVING IT: Henderson, McDowell lead McDonald's All-America Game nominees
McDonald’s has just announced the 2025 nominees for the McDonald’s All American Games, which will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Tuesday, April 1.
Houston has several athletes among the finalists.
BOYS:
- Shelton Henderson, Bellaire High School
- Elijah Black, Jordan High School
- Jaden Holt, Jordan High School
- Nathan Nguyen, Saint Thomas' Episcopal School
- Nigel Walls, St. Francis Episcopal School
- Sebastian Williams-Adams, St. John's School
- Lucas Hobin, Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
- Trent Andrews, Stratford High School
- Demetrius Holman, YES Prep Northbrook High School
- Matthew Bingham, Hargrave High School
- Didi Zanguim, Good Vision Academy
- Trae Lewis, Grand Oaks High School
- Tyrus Rathan-Mayes, Legacy The School of Sport Sciences
- Jason Scott, Legacy The School of Sport Sciences
GIRLS:
- Kalis Allen, Cy-Fair High School
- Elita Arapi, Cy-Fair High School
- Ayla Mcdowell, Cypress Springs High School
- Rezia Castillo, Clear Brook High School
- Kamryn McLaurin, Clear Brook High School
- Chardel Terrell, Clear Brook High School
- Nataliyah Gray, Alief Taylor High School
- Destiny Lewis, Sterling Aviation High School
- Krysten Carter, Westside High School
- Dakota Dale, Westside High School
- Aniyah Foy, Cinco Ranch High School
- Alaysia Cook, Dr. Thomas E. Randle High School
PASSION PROJECT: Portillo has built work-ethic in pool
Emily Portillo is as laser-focused as it gets.
The Hastings senior has been around the Bears swim program since her freshman season, sort of by accident.
“When I was a freshman, I received my schedule and it had swim on it,” she laughed. “I didn’t remember signing up for swim, but I went to the class, saw the pool and just jumped into the program. I didn’t even know we had a natatorium at school. I’ve stuck with it ever since and just love being in the water.”
Last season, she took a bit of a break from the actual pool and served as the team manager.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
“I was taking so many dual-credit, accelerated classes and had a job, so I couldn’t commit to practice,” she said. “I asked coach to be the manager where I could keep the team organized, help out at meets and I also swim when my team needed me.
“I’m a very committed person so when I start something, I finish it. I’m proud to be a part of something like swim for four years. It’s one of my biggest passions.”
Outside of the pool, Portillo has another passion that she hopes to make a career out of.
“I love to sketch,” she said. “It allows my mind to go wild. Whenever I get an extra minute, I’m drawing. I want to go to UT (Texas) or UTSA and study architecture. I am very headstrong, so I feel like that will be my future.”
With an unmatched work ethic in place, nurtured by her time in the pool, Portillo is on her way to building her future.