VYPE Statewide Team Tennis Regional Tournament Preview

Oct 23, 2019

HOUSTON – In just a week the first UIL State Championship of the year will get underway with Team Tennis serving it up in College Station.

But who could get there?

The playoffs push into the Regional Semifinals starting on Thursday across the state with the Regional Final matches set for Friday morning.

VYPE went through each bracket, have provided the matchups, locations, times and some notes on who could get back to College Station.

In Class 6A here is the breakdown.

Region I

Abilene vs Lewisville Marcus (Rose Park Tennis Center – Thurs. 1 p.m.)
El Paso Coronado vs Southlake Carroll (Rose Park Tennis Center – Thurs. 1 p.m.)
Reg. Final – Friday at 9 a.m. at Rose Park Tennis Center

Region II

Allen vs The Woodlands (Mansfield HS – Thurs. 1 p.m.)
Plano West vs Round Rock Westwood (Lake Ridge HS – Thurs. 1 p.m.)
Reg. Final – Friday at 10 a.m. at Mansfield HS

Region III

Seven Lakes vs Clear Lake (Deer Park HS – Thurs. 8:30 a.m.)
Houston Memorial vs Deer Park (Deer Park HS – Thurs. 1:30 p.m.)
Reg. Final – Friday at 9 a.m. at Deer Park HS

Region IV

Westlake vs Harlingen South (Northside Tennis Center – Thurs. 10 a.m.)
Lake Travis vs Laredo Alexander (Northside Tennis Center – Thurs. 10 a.m.)
Reg. Final - Friday at 10 a.m. at Northside Tennis Center

Houston Memorial has become a power program under Budd Booth's direction. The program won a state championship in 2017. Last year, Memorial fell just short to Round Rock Westwood in the 6A State Championship match. If the Mustangs make it through the next two rounds they will be making their 12^th state tournament appearance in program history and for the 11^th-straight season.

Lake Travis reached the state tournament last year but fell in the semifinals to Memorial. The Cavaliers are seeking their third-ever state tournament berth with a pair of wins this weekend.

So, how does Class 5A – which has been dominated by Highland Park – shake out heading into the Regional Tournament.

Region I

Amarillo vs Colleyville Heritage (Wichita Falls HS – Thurs. 9 a.m.)
Lubbock vs North Richland Hills Birdville (Wichita Falls HS – Thurs. 10 a.m.)
Regional Final – Friday at 9 a.m. at Wichita Falls HS

Region II

Highland Park vs Texarkana Texas (Allen HS – Thurs. 2 p.m.)
Frisco Lebanon Trail vs Ennis (Allen HS – Thurs. 9 a.m.)
Regional Final – Friday at 10 a.m. at Allen HS

Region III

A&M Consolidated vs Shadow Creek (Cinco Ranch HS – Thurs. 8:30 a.m.)
Georgetown vs Friendswood (Katy Taylor HS – Thurs. 8:30 a.m.)
Regional Final – Friday at 9 a.m. at Katy Taylor HS

Region IV

Alamo Heights vs Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway (Alamo Heights HS – Thurs. 8:30 a.m.)
Boerne Champion vs CC Veterans Memorial (Alamo Heights HS – Thurs. 1:30 p.m.)
Regional Final – Friday at 8:30 a.m. at Alamo Heights HS

Plain and simply put, Highland Park owns team tennis. The program is seeking its 32^nd state tournament appearance this year to try and go for a fourth-straight Class 5A State Championship. The Scots have built a tradition of tennis excellence, can they add to it in 2019?

Alamo Heights is just behind Highland Park when it comes to number of state tourney appearances. The Mules are seeking their 29^th state tournament appearance in 2019. Last season, Alamo Heights felt o Abilene Wylie in the state semifinals, 12-7.

A&M Consolidated is the only other team in the field that made it to the state tourney a year ago before running into Highland Park. This year, the Tigers are seeking what would be the program's eighth state tournament appearance with a pair of wins this week.

The last classification to breakdown in Team Tennis is Class 4A, which Fredericksburg won in 2018 with a 10-6 win over Canyon.

So, who's in the running for a state tourney appearance this fall?

Region I

Hereford vs Burkburnett (Rose Park Tennis Center – Thurs. 9 am)
Canyon vs Vernon (Rose Park Tennis Center – Thurs. 9 am)
Regional Final – Friday at 9 a.m. at Rose Park Tennis Center

Region II

Argyle vs Kilgore (Grapevine HS – Thurs. 8:30 a.m.)
Anna vs Willis Point (Grapevine HS – Thurs. 8:30 a.m.)
Regional Final – Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Grapevine HS

Region III

Center vs Fulshear (Rudder HS – Thurs. 8:30 a.m.)
China Spring vs Needville (Rudder HS – Thurs. 1:30 p.m.)
Regional Final – Friday at 10 a.m. at Rudder HS

Region IV

Fredericksburg vs Zapata (Annemarie Tennis Center – Thurs. 10 a.m.)
Boerne vs La Feria (Annemarie Tennis Center – Thurs. 10 a.m.)
Regional Final – Friday at 10 a.m. at Annemarie Tennis Center

Fredericksburg is going for its third-straight state tournament appearance and going for back-to-back state championships. With a pair of wins this weekend, Canyon will make its second-straight state tournament appearance. Last year, Canyon fell to Fredericksburg 10-6 in the state final. Fulshear is one of the newest programs on the scene and has already made so much noise. Fulshear, the 2019 VYPE Awards Tennis Team of the Year, with two wins this weekend will reach its second-straight state tournament.

VYPE Austin Preseason Private School Boys Basketball Team Breakdowns

Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.

It's time to continue VYPE Austin's 2019-2020 high school boys basketball coverage. Check out our team breakdowns for Preseason Private School Big School (TAPPS 4A-6A and SPC) Top 5 and Preseason Private School Small School (TAPPS 1A-3A) Top 5!

Big School

No. 1: Regents School of Austin: The Knights advanced to the TAPPS 5A area round during the 2018-2019 season, and will be the area favorite going into the 2019-2020 campaign because of second-team all-state Garrett Dunn, first-team all-district Ben Novy, and second-team all-district Steven Schultz.

No. 2: Austin St. Michael's Catholic Academy: The Crusaders advanced to the TAPPS 5A regional final during the 2018-2019 season and will contend for a repeat trip during the 2019-2020 campaign because of all-state honorable Major Thurman, second-team all-district Thomas McCarthy and Daniel Serna, and college prospects Kade Killeen and George Washington III.

Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.

No. 3: Hill Country Christian School of Austin: The Knights missed the TAPPS 4A playoffs during the 2018-2019 season, but are expected to make noise during the 2019-2020 campaign because of first-team all-district Colton Lychner, second-team all-district Marshall Burleson and Landon Wiste, and district honorable mention Kai Orred.

No. 4 Texas School for the Deaf: The Rangers advanced to the TAPPS 4A bi-district round during the 2018-2019 season, and are expected to remain a playoff contender during the 2019-2020 campaign because of second-team all-district Jaylen Johnson and Jack Scarboro.

No. 5 Austin St. Andrew's Episcopal School: The Highlanders played two competitive SPC tournament games during the 2018-2019 season, and are expected to make another postseason push during the 2019-2020 campaign because of returning players Kobe Dunbar, Chelan Beavers, Patrick Wilson, Trenton Jackson, Colt Pepe and Gehrig Zimmerman. Along with that group, there's another force in Norman Strocen, who's a 6'5" foreign exchange student from Spain.

Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.

Small School

No. 1: Austin Waldorf School: The Roadrunners advanced to the TAPPS 2A regional final during the 2018-2019 season and can go further during the 2019-2020 campaign because of second-team all-state Johnny Hoisington and Moses Cannone, first-team all-district Theo Olson, second-team all-district Justin Horton and Junah Taylor, and district honorable mention Declan Harrison.

No. 2: Faith Academy of Marble Falls: The Flames advanced to the TAPPS 3A bi-district round during the 2018-2019 season and are expected to clinch another postseason berth during the 2019-2020 campaign because of first-team all-district Colby Offutt and Gus Henry, second-team all-district Grayson Poage and Tyler Kwan, and district honorable mentions Case Coleman and Gunner Blair.

No. 3: Fredericksburg Heritage School: The Eagles advanced to the TAPPS 1A area round during the 2018-2019 season and will remain a multi-round playoff contender during the 2019-2020 campaign because of first-team all-district Joshua Hoermann and Sam Richburg, and second-team all-district John Fritzsch and Finn Sawtelle.

No. 4: Round Rock Christian Academy: The Crusaders missed the TAPPS 3A playoffs during the 2018-2019 season, but can clinch a spot in the 2019-2020 campaign because of district honorable mentions Gabe Graf, Brandon Ruiz and Dylan Withey.

No. 5: Austin San Juan Diego Catholic: The Saints missed the TAPPS 2A playoffs during the 2018-2019 season, but have the necessary roster talent in second-team all-district Matthew Garcia and Bobby Picasio to advance to the 2019-2020 postseason.

For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX) on Twitter.

Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.

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McKinney Q&A: Playoff coaches talk importance of still playing; practicing

McKinney head coach Marcus Shavers (left); McKinney North head coach Michael Fecci

The Area Round of the UIL Texas high school football playoffs are nearly underway and both teams from McKinney ISD are gearing up for their upcoming matchups.

McKinney (6A) faces Waco Midway and McKinney North (5A) has a matchup with Lancaster.

Taking time out of their busy schedules, McKinney head coach Marcus Shavers and McKinney North's Michael Fecci chatted with VYPE DFW about the importance of still playing at this point of the year and the sense of pride it instills in the community.

...

What does it mean to your team to still be playing at this point of the season?

Coach Fecci: It means everything. To be in the second round is an honor and one that our kids are excited about.

Coach Shavers: It validates how we train in the offseason. It means that the kids and coaches have all increased their commitment to the standard and have been living it consistently regardless of the circumstance. It also means that expectations have been shifted for a program that has not had a large amount of success over the last two decades and that's a good thing.

...

What is the vibe with the team and the campus overall regarding the playoffs?

Fecci: It is good. Students, players, teachers, administration and parents are excited to be playing still.

Shavers: There is a sense of excitement and pride. McKinney High is a special place, and when football wins on this campus, it sets the tone for the entire campus. There is a tremendous amount of support from all teachers and admin here. Everybody is pulling their weight to make this experience great for Lion Nation.

...

How does the extra practice benefit the team next for year?

Fecci: Each week you advance you gain that extra time for your younger players to get better. It pays off for sure.

Shavers: The extra practices are the best thing about this time of the year. It really allows for us to get more reps than our opponents who are done playing. It keeps the younger kids playing and developing, which helps strengthen our foundation for the entire program.

...

What words do you say to keep your team grounded and focused on the upcoming game?

Fecci: We talk all the time about "next play" mentality. Meaning that good or bad, it is what you do next that matters way more than what you just did.

Shavers: We talk a lot about defeating human nature and preparing themselves to reach their full potential by controlling the controllables. Those things take an extreme amount of focus. Not allowing satisfaction to cause them not to be at their best in regard to striving and straining for better.

...

What does it mean to you to represent the city and the ISD in the playoffs?

Fecci: It is awesome. With McKinney High still in the playoffs, McKinney ISD is in a great spot.

Shavers: It means everything. That's all we want to do is make the city and the school district proud! This city and school district has invested so much in the lives of our kids, coaches and school as a whole. Having the opportunity to represent in the state playoffs is something we do not take for granted and will play with a tremendous amount of pride.

...

What challenge does your opponent represent this week?

Fecci: Lancaster is crazy good - [their] team-speed is unreal. They have talent everywhere and use it very well. It will be a big challenge for us.

Shavers: It's a tremendous challenge. Midway has been a powerhouse program for the last several years and they are good in all phases. Stopping the run and running the ball will be biggest challenges we will face on Friday Night.

...

What is the main focus this week in practice to best position the team to win?

Fecci: Focus on us...that is all we can control. So control what we can. That is our preparation and mental approach to this game.

Shavers: Playing with a tremendous amount of toughness and grit. If we can be a tough football team and win the majority of our individual battles, that will give us our best chance to win.

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It's A Culture: Second Baptist School sustains success through solid upbringing

HOUSTON - As you make the walk from your car towards the Second Baptist School football field, it has a small-town feel in the heart of the Memorial area of Houston on a Friday night.

Children running around throwing a football, parents behind a table selling Second Baptist Eagles gear, burgers being grilled while the football team is warming up just behind them.

It's this small-town feel and culture that Terry Pirtle believes is something that pays off once those kids running around behind the field becomes the eventual young men running around on the big field as members of the football team.

"It's a great feeling to watch these kids grow from sixth graders and go through their growth spurts and go through basically the changes of life with them," Pirtle said. "They go from small to big, heavy to skinny, we see all the changes in one kid. You just tell them to keep working on their skillset and keep buying into the program as they go through the program. It's amazing how they transform and when they finally mature into their body, they've got our program DNA entrenched in them and they're ready to play. It's really cool to stay somewhere long enough and see that transformation with kids."

This formula has worked.

In fact, it has worked so well that Second Baptist School football just wrapped up the program's seventh-straight district championship and the first undefeated regular season since 1999.

"I think it's special," Pirtle said. "Anytime you can go undefeated in the regular season you've got to be doing something correctly. We haven't been injured we've made it through with all kinds of issues that you normally have unscathed. I think our kids did a really good job that we were taking care of our business every week and being prepared every Friday night to try and go 1-0 on that night. If you do that every week and just play for that week and don't look ahead this is the benefit from it."

Winning seven-straight district crowns is impressive, especially the way the Eagles have done it the past four years.

To find the last time the Second Baptist School lost a district game you have to flip in the record books back to the 2015 season. The Eagles lost the district opener that year, falling to Lutheran South Academy 49-42.

Since then, the Eagles haven't lost a district contest, winning 24-straight, including going 5-0 this year.

"It's just been a combination of kids buying into the program and our coordinators of doing a really good job of putting our kids in the right spot and having the ability to have a kicking game that's pretty good as well with David Nunez doing a good job the last two years punting and kicking for us," Pirtle said. "They don't want to be the senior class that doesn't come through.

"It's kind of a pride thing for us at this point to play well in district and continue the tradition of playing well in district and making sure that when district is finished that we're part of the championship every year."

The winning and filling the trophy case in the halls of the field house at Second Baptist School is great but for Pirtle this culture goes beyond just that.

"At Second Baptist School you have the ability to go beyond the field with your coaching style," Pirtle said. "You can develop deep relationships with the kids through Christ, which is something that you can do wherever you are but it's something here that we take special pride in building relationships with the kids knowing that there's a Christ model in what we do. That's been special for us. Just having the ability to get into kids lives and dig deep into it and have relationships off the field with these guys."

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