There is so much fun to be had at a VYPE Media Day!
VYPE traveled out to Aldine ISD for the 2021 VYPE Aldine Spring Media Day. From team and individual pictures to social media shout-outs, and video interviews, VYPE does everything to make student-athletes feel like superstars!
This season will have Willowridge entering new territory as they shift from Class 5A down to Class 4A.
The Eagles will compete in District 21-4A this year after going 28-9 overall and 11-3 in district play a year ago. Willowridge reached the Area Round of the playoffs and return five starters for 11th- year coach Tiffany Collins.
All-District selections AuRayona Seals and Natalie Greene will lead the charge for the Eagles going into 24-25.
“We have to do all the little things right every game,” Collins said. “And play our brand of basketball.” This team wants to try and “Leave a Legacy” this season.
Wayne Ware takes the reins of a Willis program that’s coming off its best performance in recent years, as they went 21-12 and reached the postseason for the first time since 2020.
While they do compete in an exceptionally competitive district, the Wildkats do hold the distinction of being one of the only teams to bring back the vast majority of their 2023-24 roster.
Junior forward SJ Young averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds a game, for which he received District 13-6A Offensive MVP honors.
Football star Jermaine Bishop Jr. (first-team, all-district), Chandler Beasley (second-team), Tyshon Nixon (Sr. G) and Jackson Day (Jr. G) comprise the other talented arsenal of weapons for coach Ware to utilize.
After being defeated 63-52 by Nimitz in the last year’s Bi-District round, this could genuinely be the group that takes Willis to the next level.
Grand Oaks will look to build on their successes from last year – going 20-15 overall and reaching the Area Round – to propel the program to a deep playoff run. Shiakiea Carter enters her sixth year of leading this program.
The engine of this Grand Oaks team is senior Abilene Christian University- commit Bree Riley. Last year, Riley averaged 24.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.6 steals and 2.7 assists per game for the Grizzlies. She also reached the 2,000-career-point mark as well. Her performance earned her the District MVP nod for a third-straight year and a spot on the TGCA 6A All-State team. Riley was also selected as a TGCA All-Star.
Also returning is first-team, all-district pick Avery Campbell who earned that nod as a freshman. Campbell averaged 4.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.7 assists per game. Other players to watch include second-team, all-district picks Hannah Reynolds (4.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Avery Dalton (2.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg). Harris (2.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and K’mylii Nettles (2.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg) are returning honorable mentions.