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FAT BOY’S PIZZA Player of the Month: All smiles for Katy’s Jackson-Bray as she makes her State Meet debut
This Spring has seen a plethora of elite talent emerge onto the high school track scene, which is a testament to the skill produced by the state’s top programs.
However, it’s unlikely that there has been any athlete with a more sudden impact than Katy’s London Jackson-Bray.
After narrowly missing out on the UIL State Meet a year ago, Jackson-Bray made a statement in last week’s Region III-6A Meet.
Not only did she take gold in the Girls 100m Dash (11.44 s), but she took that a step further by placing second in the 200m Dash (23.72 s), which ultimately punched her ticket to Austin.
“It feels incredible,” she said. “Sometimes I can’t believe how far I’ve come in the last year. I’ve been so blessed in my time with the team and coaches.
I think what might set me apart from others is that I find fun in the competition. It’s not like a job for me since I just want to go out there and enjoy myself. It’s a sport, and sports are meant to be fun, so I don’t take it too seriously. At the end of the day, I want to leave with a smile on my face.”
Photo provided by London Jackson-Bray
There have been plenty of smiles to be had for the Katy program in recent weeks, and not just for Jackson-Bray.
She will be joined by fellow qualifiers, Elizabeth Brooks (800m), Adam Carter (Shot Put), and Tyler Willis (Shot Put), when the team travels to Mike A. Myers Stadium in May.
It’s not just her teammates that inspire the Katy speedster, either. After all, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
“Both of my parents ran track at the University of Houston,” said Jackson-Bray. “Plus, my sister ran all four years of high school, so it’s always been in my family. I originally played volleyball and didn’t start competing in track until seventh grade.
While that might be a little overwhelming to live up to for some people, I see it as more of an inspiration. My parents never pushed me into the sport. It was something I found by myself, and they’ve obviously been very supportive of me and my journey.”
Jackson-Bray continues to play volleyball to this day, for both Katy High and her club team, Katy United.
While being a multi-sport athlete can be time consuming, it’s certainly benefited this Katy junior.
Photo provided by London Jackson-Bray
“I feel like the training I’m not able to get out of track, I’m able to get in volleyball,” she said. “I’m able to increase my experience in the sense of jumping, being explosive, and improving my reaction time with everything.
I love volleyball, but I think track is what I’m leaning to more in college. I do have a few offers as of right now, so I feel like that’s the route I’m meant to take when I graduate.”
When she’s not going on a shopping spree at Lululemon with her friends or watching her go-to show Grey’s Anatomy in the coming years, Jackson-Bray intends to pursue a career in dermatology once she reaches the collegiate level.
Although, she’s now preparing to contend for a state title.
With another year left in her high school career, it’s becoming increasingly evident that Jackson-Bray is on the path towards an exceptional future.
It all begins at the starting line.
THE OPENING STAGE: Must-see matchups in Round 1 of Softball Playoffs
Now that the UIL Softball postseason has finally arrived, it is time for the bracketology to commence.
Plenty of action and excitement awaits Houston fan-bases over the next month, and it all starts with the opening round.
Here are just some of the more pivotal clashes in store for audiences, as the playoffs begin this week.
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Alvin Yellowjackets vs. Clear Brook Wolverines
Doug Brown (VYPE)
The Yellowjackets enter the postseason as one of the top clubs in H-Town.
After finishing right behind Pearland in the District 23-6A standings, Alvin currently maintains a record of 25-4 and seems poised for a deep run in the playoffs.
Coach Kelly Bembry certainly has plenty of talent to work with on her roster.
Senior pitcher Matti Matthews (North Texas-signee) has performed brilliantly from the mound, having eclipsed 300 career strikeouts a month ago and has an uncanny repertoire alongside her catcher Abby Ptak (Boston College).
Their lineup is just as effective, with Kamryn De Leon, Kiley Huffman, and Rebekah Cavazos leading the way.
Don't count out Clear Brook just yet, though. They have some have heavy-hitters of their own.
Texas-signee Lien Brister is as elite as they come, with an exceptional stat-line (0.466 BA, 32 RBIs, 38 R, 9 HR) to back that claim.
She's complemented efficiently by Miranda Carroll, Estrella Rowe, and Ahiza Garcia.
Following their third-place finish in District 24-6A, coach Katy Cave and the Wolverines will look to keep their season alive when their series against Alvin begins this Thursday.
GAME 1: Thursday (6:30 pm) @ Clear Brook HS
GAME 2: Friday (6:30 pm) @ Alvin HS
GAME 3 (If needed): Saturday (6:30 pm) @ Santa Fe HS
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Clear Springs Chargers vs. Dawson Eagles
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
After claiming silver in District 24-6A, Clear Springs (19-8) looks to keep their hot-streak intact when they take to their home field against Dawson on Thursday.
Under the direction of head coach Jennifer Knight, the Chargers' base-hitting has been outstanding, with the offense scoring over 200 runs on the season, thus far.
Erianna Garcia and Emma King (Wisconsin-signee) have been the center-pieces of the team's talented lineup, as they are currently batting for 0.488 and 0.439, respectively.
Additionally, the bull-pen -- headlined by Jenna Hashaw (2.10 ERA, 65 Ks) and Beth Ann Johnston (2.62 ERA, 50 Ks) -- has been equally essential to Clear Springs' success.
On the Dawson side, the Eagles (19-7-1) are coming off a third-place finish in a district that features fellow contenders Pearland and Alvin.
Their defense has been clicking on all cylinders, thanks in large part to senior pitcher Cara Pitman (Houston Christian-signee), who surpassed 300 career strikeouts a week ago.
Batting-wise, Dawson's features the talents of Emily Mullen, Caroline Roth, and Evey Dieudonne, among others.
Both of these teams were well-within our top-20 6A teams entering the playoffs, so it will be interesting to see how this matchup plays out.
GAME 1: Thursday (6:30 pm) @ Clear Springs HS
GAME 2: Friday (6:30 pm) @ Dawson HS
GAME 3 (If needed): Saturday (6:30 pm) @ Dawson HS
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Crosby Cougars vs. Manvel Mavericks
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Crosby (27-6; 11-2 in district) returns to the postseason on the heels of placing second in a district that features the likes of softball heavy-weights, Barbers Hill and Port Neches-Groves, which also makes them one of the top teams in all of Class 5A.
The Troy Fox-led Cougars are propelled by the talents of Ally Mooneyham (Nicholls State-signee), Morgan Lloyd (Wichita State), Kaelin Hicks (San Jacinto), Bell Land (Bossier Parish CC), and Brylee Holmes (Oklahoma Wesleyan).
After reaching the Area Round in 2023, Crosby will look to repeat that effort and more when they face off against an equally-talented Manvel team.
Speaking of which, the Mavs (20-10-1; 8-4 in district) are in the midst of an exemplary turn-around season, as they narrowly missed out on the playoffs a year ago.
Coach Alex Meng has an arsenal of weapons to utilize, beginning with senior pitcher Ryley Nihart.
The Northwestern State-signee has been phenomenal from the mound, with a record of 18-5, an ERA of 1.06, and a ridiculous 238 strikeouts to boot.
On the batting side, Manvel is bolstered by junior catcher Jaylie Miller (0.446 BA, 35 RBIs, 11 HR), Skylar Frederick (0.393 BA, 19 RBIs, 5 HR), and Carley Williams (0.379 BA, 10 RBIs, 1 HR).
This could be the most vital series in the Bi-District round, so it's one you won't want to miss.
GAME 1: Friday (5:30 pm) @ Manvel HS
GAME 2: Saturday (11:00 am) @ Crosby HS
GAME 3 (If needed): Saturday (After Game 2) @ Crosby HS