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Clear Creek's Khamari Hall
THE PLAYMAKERS: 2025 Softball Superstars of the South, powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Softball Players of the 2024-25 season, who represented South Houston with style this Spring!
Lily Calderon -- Angleton Softball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
A powerful presence in the heart of the lineup helped propel Angleton to one of its most memorable seasons in recent years.
With timely hitting and steady leadership, the Ladycats advanced all the way to the UIL 5A-Division I Region III Final, where they were narrowly edged out by eventual State Finalist Barbers Hill.
At the center of that success was senior first baseman Lily Calderon, who posted a .347 batting average, drove in a team-leading 24 RBIs, and tied for the team lead with three home runs.
Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed, as she was named the District 20-5A Offensive Player of the Year following her standout season.
Now turning the page to the next chapter, Calderon is set to continue her softball career at Alabama A&M University.
Makenzie Thomas -- Clear Springs Softball
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
In her debut season with the Clear Springs Chargers, freshman shortstop Makenzie Thomas made an immediate and lasting impact.
Batting .368 with 44 RBIs and a team-leading 15 home runs, she quickly emerged as one of the most explosive and dangerous hitters — not just in District 24-6A, but across the state. Her standout performance earned her Newcomer of the Year honors and helped set the tone for a historic trek through the playoffs.
Backed by a loaded roster that included Erianna Garcia (Sr. C), Eryn Polite (Sr. 3B), Alana Strever (Jr. OF), and fellow standout freshman Elisa Garcia, Thomas helped propel the Chargers all the way to the UIL 6A-Division I State Championship game — a first for any Clear Creek ISD softball program.
Their journey to Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin was a milestone moment for the district and a testament to the team's depth and resilience.
Although Clear Springs ultimately fell to Midway in the final, the Chargers’ impressive core — including Thomas — signals that this historic season may just be the beginning.
Khamari Hall -- Clear Creek Softball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Clear Creek senior Khamari Hall left an indelible mark on the Wildcats’ softball program in 2025, leading the team to its first Regional Finals appearance since 2009. Competing in the highly competitive 6A-Division II bracket, Hall was a driving force both at the plate and in the outfield, helping guide Clear Creek through a historic playoff run.
The Wildcats’ season came to a close against eventual state champions Kingwood, but Hall’s leadership and impact were undeniable throughout the postseason stretch. Her efforts were recognized at the district level, as she was named the District 24-6A Most Valuable Player at the conclusion of the season.
Hall now prepares to continue her softball career at the University of Arkansas. There, she will join a growing list of H-Town standouts who are already making their mark on the national stage, including Ella McDowell (Foster), Cameryn Harrison (Katy), and Ashtyn Reichardt (Katy).
Layla Bennett -- Pearland Softball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
As a key weapon in Pearland’s exceptional campaign this spring, Layla Bennett (Jr. 2B) proved to be one of the Oilers’ most consistent and impactful performers.
The Central Florida-commit played a pivotal role in leading the club to an impressive 27-8 overall record, highlighted by a perfect 16-0 run through 22-6A play that secured yet another district title, prior to advancing to the Area Round of the UIL 6A-Division I playoffs.
Her standout performance throughout the season earned her first-team all-district honors, solidifying her place among the area’s elite.
Further recognition came with her selection to the prestigious Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) All-Star team — an honor that reflects her growing reputation across the state.
With another year of high school softball still ahead, Bennett will look to build on this year’s success as she continues her path toward the collegiate level and beyond.
Addison Smith -- Lutheran South Academy Softball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Despite a season marked by its share of challenges, Lutheran South Academy found success when it mattered most — in the postseason.
Behind the leadership of head coach Nicole Andrade, the Pioneers surged past Saint Mary’s Hall in dominant fashion to open TAPPS-Division II playoff action, advancing to the Regional Round before falling to perennial contender The Woodlands Christian Academy.
At the heart of LSA’s postseason push was junior shortstop Addison Smith, a Wichita State-commit who proved to be a steady force on both sides of the ball. Her consistency and presence in the infield helped anchor the team through its highs and lows, ultimately earning her first-team all-state honors to cap off a standout season.
Smith is expected to continue her upward trajectory as she prepares for the next phase of her career. Her work this summer will no doubt be pivotal, as she looks to further sharpen her game before returning for a senior season filled with high expectations.
A LONG TIME COMING: Kingwood ends two-decade title drought, dethrones Tomball at State
Head coach Michael Oros, a Kingwood alumnus in just his second year at the helm, couldn’t help but reflect on the program’s roots.
Kingwood Head Coach Michael OrosMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I said hello to several alumni from that ’05 team as I made my way onto the field,” Oros said. “It was awesome to reconnect with them, and the state shirts we had were an homage to the exact ones they had back then. We wanted to pay respect to them and leave a legacy of our own — and there’s no doubt in my mind that we did that.”
The Mustangs (39-4) came out steady and composed, striking first in the opening frame on a sacrifice fly from junior Graham Charboneau (Baylor-commit) that brought home Brian Schumacher. Tomball quickly responded with a two-run single by Harper Gates in the bottom half of the inning, setting the tone for a back-and-forth affair.
After a scoreless stretch, Kingwood broke through in the top of the fifth with a four-run surge. RBI singles by Schumacher, Braden Fuentes, and Nick Spetter — followed by a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch drawn by Joshua York — gave the Mustangs a 5-2 lead.
However, Tomball clawed back in the bottom half, trimming the margin to one with RBI hits from Brycen Romberg and Brady Burrow.
That would be the last time the Cougars crossed the plate.
Tomball RHP Karson ReederMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
Tomball, known for its elite pitching — led by juniors Karson Reeder (Texas-commit) and CJ Sampson (Sampson) — threatened again in the bottom of the seventh.
With the bases loaded and the tying run just 90 feet away, sophomore Ryder Renfrow -- who took over for starter Ben Mayorga (Sr. RHP) -- stepped up on the mound and delivered the biggest save of his young career, closing out the title win and earning a spot on the State All-Tournament Team alongside Fuentes, Spetter, and Schumacher.
“Our message was ‘be yourself and do what guided you here,’” Oros said. “Some teams change who they are on a big stage. We didn’t need to. Yeah, we’re successful, and we can have several heroes on any given day. That doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes. If we were going to go down, we wanted to do it our way. But we got one more than them — and that’s all that was needed.”
Charboneau, who was named 6A-DII State MVP, went 2-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI, and a run scored in the win.
Jr. OF Graham Charboneau accepts the 6A-D2 State MVP AwardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“We’ve been doing it all year,” Charboneau said. “Atascocita’s in our district — they were in the other state final — and we battled them twice. The same can be said for who played in the playoffs, against teams like Dripping Springs and Katy Taylor. It was a fun battle the whole game.”
The senior-laden lineup showed its mettle, with Schumacher (2-for-4, RBI, 2 runs), Spetter (2-for-4, RBI), Fuentes (1-for-4, RBI), and Bryce Baker (2-for-3) all contributing key hits.
But more than the stats or the clutch plays, the Mustangs carried themselves with a collective identity — one they leaned on throughout the postseason.
“Our motto was K.V.E.: Kingwood vs. Everyone,” Charboneau added. “We lived by it and lived up to the challenge.”
With the win, Kingwood not only took down one of the state’s premier pitching staffs but also completed a 20-year journey back to the top — this time with a new generation of Mustangs etching their name into school history.
(Left to Right) Kingwood's Graham Charboneau, Christian Mata, and Nick Spetter
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
***FUN FACT: Kingwood and Midway (6A-D1) became the first schools since 2021 (Barbers Hill) to have both the baseball and softball programs win a state championship in the same season.
*Furthermore, the Mustangs are being recognized as the WHATABURGER TEAM OF THE WEEK!
