The 2018-2019 athletic calendar has concluded, so VYPE Austin and VYPE San Antonio have had series dedicated to notable performers and moments over the past year. Check out the top 10 area UIL games that editor Thomas Bingham covered during the school year, as well as a notable TAPPS/SPC battle. All were entertaining, and we're looking forward to covering more sports action in 2019-2020.
UIL
No. 1: Late surge ends Cuero football's state title drought (December 21, 2018)
The Gobblers trailed 21-20 after three quarters of the UIL 4A Division II state title game, but leaned on Texas signee Jordan Whittington's record-breaking performance (377 yards and six touchdowns) and a 20-7 fourth quarter surge in a 40-28 win against Texarkana Pleasant Grove to claim their first state title in 31 years.
No. 2: Liberty Hill football ends Carthage's 40-game win streak (December 14, 2018)
Tarleton State signee Kyle Harrison's two touchdowns helped the Panthers upset the two-time defending UIL 4A Division I state champ with a 44-41 win at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium.
No. 3: Thorndale softball records extra inning title game finish (May 30, 2019)
The Bulldogs' best season in history ended with a heartbreaking 8-7 extra inning UIL 2A state title game loss against fellow Central Texas team Crawford.
No. 4: San Antonio LEE boys soccer nearly wins first state title. (April 20, 2019)
The Volunteers battled with Flower Mound for 100 minutes of the UIL 6A final, but lost the match 1-0 after a 4-1 defeat in penalty kicks.
No. 5: Converse Judson girls basketball wins first state championship (March 2, 2019)
The Lady Rockets extended their UIL state final four streak to three seasons in 2018-2019, and a late half-court pass sealed a 49-46 win against DeSoto in the UIL 6A final.
No. 6: Buzzer beater sends Liberty Hill boys basketball to state final (March 8, 2019)
The Panthers trailed by as much as 16 points in the UIL 4A state semifinal, but a remarkable comeback and Parker McCurdy's last-second three-pointer advanced them to the following day's title game.
No. 7: Converse Judson girls basketball uses late magic against Westlake (February 19, 2019)
UTSA signee Elena Blanding's last-second shot at San Marcos High School's Snake Pit lifted the Lady Rockets to a 43-41 UIL 6A Region IV quarterfinal victory against a Westlake squad that featured future Texas and Texas State hoopers.
No. 8: Austin Vandegrift football wins wild area round playoff game against Klein Collins (November 23, 2018)
The Vipers scored first in double overtime and added a game-sealing deflection in Black Friday's 28-21 UIL 6A Division II Region II area round playoff win at Waller ISD Stadium.
No. 9: Hutto football wins shootout against Liberty Hill (September 7, 2018)
Many college-bound players met at Hutto Memorial Stadium for a highly-anticipated early season contest, which the home Hippos won 52-51 in overtime.
No. 10: Westlake boys basketball ends Lake Travis' perfect season (December 11, 2018)
The Chaparrals overcame a 14-point second half deficit and an overcapacity Cavaliers' gym in a 57-54 road win, which dropped their rival's season record to 16-1. (Note: VYPE's Thomas Bingham was also in attendance when the Chaps completed the season sweep of the Cavs with a come-from-behind 54-51 home win on January 22nd.)
TAPPS/SPC
Top Private School Action: Regents School of Austin girls basketball beats Austin St. Andrew's Episcopal School on "Silent Night" (December 18, 2018)
The Lady Knights leaned on Susie McCormick's game-high 16 points in a 47-43 road win, but had to overcome a crowd-controlled silent gym until the Highlanders' 10th point and the home court advantage that followed.
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX/@VYPESATX) on Twitter.
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