Click the links below or "keep reading" to watch these matchups on Tuesday, January 11:
Clear Creek's Khamari Hall
Doug Brown (VYPE)
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.
The stars of 2024-25 Lake Creek Softball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Fortunately for local fans, the Houston area is stacked with elite programs poised for deep postseason runs.
Claiming the top spot in our rankings for the first time this spring are the Lake Creek Lions, who are channeling the dominance of their recent dynasty.
From 2021 to 2023, Lake Creek compiled a staggering 123-3 record and captured back-to-back state titles (2022, 2023). Now, they head into the final week of the regular season at a flawless 26-0, with their sights firmly set on a third championship.
Not far behind is Katy, another perennial powerhouse that’s already clinched its 10th straight district title (excluding the COVID year). With a 29-1 record, the Tigers are looking to make their first title run since 2019.
Also in the spotlight is Barbers Hill, a Class 5A contender sitting at 27-2 and currently ranked No. 3 in the state by MaxPreps. The Eagles have proven themselves as a legitimate threat and are positioned to make a serious push this postseason.
Other teams who have made considerable strides in the back-half of district-play are Conroe, Langham Creek, Tomball, Pearland, Clear Creek, and Angleton.
With so much talent across the region, the next few weeks promise to deliver high drama—and possibly another state trophy or two for the Houston area.
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Katy Tigers
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
*Parentheses indicates current district
*Last section indicates current overall record; district record
VYPE HOUSTON SOFTBALL TOP-20 (Class 6A-4A)
1. Lake Creek Lions (17-5A) -- 26-0; 11-0 in District
2. Katy Tigers (19-6A) -- 29-1; 14-0
3. Barbers Hill Eagles (19-5A) -- 27-2; 14-0
4. Kingwood Mustangs (23-6A) -- 23-4-1; 11-2
5. Liberty Panthers (19-4A) -- 22-5; 11-0
6. Conroe Tigers (13-6A) -- 23-5; 14-1
7. Summer Creek Bulldogs (23-6A) -- 24-4; 11-2
8. Atascocita Eagles (23-6A) -- 22-5; 10-3
9. Tomball Cougars (15-6A) -- 24-3; 16-0
10. Pearland Oilers (22-6A) -- 24-6; 15-0
11. Langham Creek Lobos (16-6A) -- 22-4; 13-0
12. Clear Creek Wildcats (24-6A) -- 16-5; 10-3
13. Angleton Wildcats (20-5A) -- 14-3; 9-2
14. Deer Park Deer (24-6A) -- 19-8; 9-4
15. Friendswood Mustangs (20-5A) -- 22-4; 8-3
16. Clear Springs Chargers (24-6A) -- 16-6; 9-4
17. Oak Ridge War Eagles (13-6A) -- 20-8; 10-5
18. La Porte Bulldogs (20-5A) -- 17-4-1; 9-3
19. Katy Jordan Warriors (19-6A) -- 19-4; 12-3
20. Ridge Point Panthers (21-6A) -- 18-3; 11-0
Honorable Mentions: Houston Memorial Mustangs (17-6A), Grand Oaks (13-6A), Needville (29-4A), Clear Lake (24-6A), Crosby (18-5A), Willis (13-6A), Kingwood Park (18-5A), Foster (20-6A), Katy Taylor (19-6A), Cy-Fair (17-6A)
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