VYPE caught up with Langham Creek High School Girls Basketball Coach Annette Steward at the Langham Creek HS 2023 Winter Media Day, discussing the upcoming season and more!
Check out the interview below!
Lake Creek's Madalyn Davis
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
But beneath the stats and standings, key questions are on everyone’s mind.
Can Lake Creek, still unbeaten, recapture the magic of its recent title runs and extend its reign as a 5A juggernaut?
Will Kingwood, armed with a battle-tested roster and elite coaching, turn last year’s semifinal heartbreak into a championship breakthrough?
And is this finally the year Katy—backed by one of the most loaded lineups in the state—climbs back to the top of the 6A mountain?
The postseason will provide answers. But for now, these questions set the stage for what could be a historic stretch of softball in the Houston area.
...
Is Lake Creek back?
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
As the playoffs begin, one question looms large: Can this year’s Lake Creek squad carry on the legacy built by one of Texas’ most dominant dynasties?
All signs point to yes.
With a perfect 27-0 record heading into the postseason, Lake Creek enters the Class 5A playoffs as the No. 1-ranked team in Texas, according to both MaxPreps and VYPE Houston.
While comparisons to the golden era of Ava Brown (Florida), Maddox McKee (LSU), and Kalee Rochinski (UTSA) are inevitable, this year’s team has shown it has the tools to replicate that success.
Under the leadership of Coach Candyce Carter, the Lions boast a deep and dangerous lineup led by standout hitter Madalyn Davis, a North Carolina-commit.
In the circle, the dominant one-two punch of Sara Wiggins (Wichita State) and Chesney Davis (Texas State) has consistently overpowered opposing lineups.
As the Lions begin their march through the 5A-Division II bracket, the expectation isn’t just to contend—it’s to win. With poise, talent, and momentum on their side, Lake Creek looks poised to bring another UIL state title back to Montgomery.
So, if you're wondering that 'Lake Creek is back?', the truth of the matter is...they never left.
How will Kingwood respond?
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Rewind to last spring, when Kingwood Softball made its first UIL State Tournament appearance since 2013, sweeping favored Katy in the Region III Final before falling to eventual state runner-up Midway in the semifinals.
Now, with that experience under their belt, the Mustangs return with nearly every key contributor from that memorable run—setting the stage for another deep postseason charge.
Headlining the roster is a core packed with collegiate-level talent: Addy Sheppard (Stanford-commit), Mia Gagliardi (Virginia Tech), Hunter Quentel (So. P), and Leilani Garcia (Sr. IF).
Their chemistry, poise, and competitive edge form the backbone of a team that knows what it takes to win in the pressure of playoff softball.
Guided by legendary coach Christa Williams-Yates and her experienced staff, Kingwood continues to elevate its program’s standard.
The Mustangs battled through one of the toughest districts in the state—23-6A—earning a co-championship with Summer Creek, and proving they can thrive against elite competition.
With an experienced roster and reliable leadership, Kingwood enters the postseason with a clear goal: return to Austin, and this time, finish the job.
***Kingwood will be competing in the UIL 6A-Division II Bracket
Can Katy finally seal the deal?
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
It’s no secret that Katy continues to thrive as a softball powerhouse—and 2025 is no exception.
Heading into the postseason with a dominant 31-1 record, the Tigers are ranked No. 3 in Texas by MaxPreps and second in the Houston area by VYPE.
Under first-year head coach Meghan Burrell, the program hasn’t missed a beat, securing its 10th consecutive district title and setting its sights on something even bigger.
Because for Katy, district championships are just the beginning.
Fueled by a roster stacked with top-tier talent, the Tigers are built for a deep run.
Ella Kate “EK” Smith (Oklahoma), Lauryn Soeken (LSU), Montgomery Henderson (Oklahoma State), Hailey Gore (Houston), Avery Porter (Missouri), and Madison Smith (North Carolina State) lead a lineup that boasts both power and poise.
On paper, they look like a team destined for Austin.
Though Katy is no stranger to playoff success, the ultimate prize has eluded them since their 2019 state title. And this year, the hunger to return to the top is evident.
As the Tigers begin their journey through the Class 6A-Division I bracket, the question is simple: Is this the year Katy reclaims the throne?
CLICK HERE TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE UIL SOFTBALL PLAYOFF BRACKETS
Nimitz Girls Track & Field Coach Jarryd Gray
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
“I’m trying to instill a sense of secondary opportunity,” Gray said. “The idea is that we can shine in high school, but my goal is to ask, ‘What can you do after that?’ These four years will go by quicker than you might expect, and the real world will hit you quickly. So, I’m trying to help them understand that and provide them with the opportunity to run in college, just like I did.”
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Gray’s journey started at Southwest High School in Fort Worth, Texas, before earning a scholarship to Prairie View A&M University.
His experiences as a collegiate athlete now shape the way he coaches at Nimitz, where he emphasizes not just physical preparation, but also mental resilience.
“Giving them confidence has been a huge part of what I want them to gain,” he said. “They know they’re good, but some of them lack the confidence to go out there and show that each week. So, I try to give them a little bit of my story, but I’m not one of those coaches who tries to live their legacy through their athletes. It’s all about them now and how they can stay consistent with their craft on a daily basis.”
Gray’s path to coaching wasn’t a direct one.
After completing his track career, he initially worked in the oil fields—a common industry in Houston—but quickly realized his true passion lay elsewhere.
“After my track career, I went into the oil fields since we’re in Houston and that’s what they’re partially known for,” Gray said. “But I didn’t feel like that was my passion. So, I got into teaching and coaching, even though I kind of ran from it, because my dad was a teacher for over 30 years. Initially, I didn’t think I would be the one to follow in his footsteps, but I soon realized that this was my passion. I love track, and I’m going to make sure that these kids get 1,000% every day.”
2024-25 Nimitz Girls Track & FieldJamey Wright (VYPE)
That dedication is evident in the way he pushes his athletes, not just to perform at a high level but to believe in themselves and see track & field as a pathway to future success.
Under his leadership, the Nimitz girls’ program continues to grow, with student-athletes gaining not only competitive experience but also the confidence to take their talents beyond high school.
For Gray, the victories on the track are important, but the real reward is seeing his athletes embrace their potential—both in competition and in life.
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