Last week was rough, going 15-9 (62.5%) and pretty much ending any shot of going 75 percent on the season. I have to go 64-12 the last regular season weeks (or 21.3 wins per week) to get there - it's obviously not happening. Now the goal is just to get back to 70 percent on the year. My overall record is 130-58 (.692) through eight weeks.
Below are the 22 other games of note that I'll try my best at predicting a winner for in addition to the deeper-dive games in 7-6A:
DeSoto downing Mansfield Summit; Cedar Hill defeating South Grand Prairie.
(Rankings for each team can be found in our Week 9 Top 10 Area Rankings)
The first three games are Thursday night matchups; the final 19 are Friday night games.
What a year it has been for Cedar Park.
After being eliminated in the foundational rounds of the playoffs over the past few seasons, the Timberwolves (34-15) now see themselves in the UIL State Final for the first time since 2016.
This feat was accomplished on the heels of their 3-1 victory over fellow Austin-area contender Georgetown earlier this week, and there are plenty of flowers to distribute among head coach Lori McLaughlin, her staff, and, of course, the players who made it happen.
Offensive production has been in ample supply, thanks to the efforts of Joy Udoye (571 kills, 349 digs), Mya Cheatum (391 kills), and Sofia Peters (380 kills, 111 blocks).
However, that's not to dismiss the help they've received from the back-line, which is bolstered by the talents of Katelyn Hughes (712 assists, 374 digs), Anna Kurz (447 digs, 134 assists), Sibley Oster (652 assists), and freshman Blake Gilkey (449 receptions, 241 digs).
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On the other side of the net, out of Frisco, TX, Wakeland is making their UIL State Final-debut, following their five-set win against Argyle on Tuesday night.
Given the point they're currently at, the Wolverines (34-6) -- under the direction of coach U'iLani Womble -- are obviously in the midst of the finest performance the program has ever seen.
The No. 12-ranked (No. 22, nationally) team in Texas, according to MaxPreps, is firing on all cylinders at this moment.
Considering that volleyball is a team sport, it's only natural that numerous individuals should receive some praise for this feat.
LSU-commit Hannah Lee (459 kills), and seniors Bella Wood (Sam Houston State // 382 kills) and Sarah Pfiffner (West Virginia // 774 assists, 262 kills, 331 digs) make up the three-headed monster for Wakeland, in terms of star-power.
They're complemented by the talents of Aubree Fernandez (659 digs), Jaleah Bauss (518 assists), and Emerson Jones (68 blocks), which makes them a well-rounded rotation worth fearing.
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This will be undoubtedly be a State match worth watching. Don't miss out when they go head-to-head Saturday (12:00 pm) at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, TX.
2024-25 Kinkaid Girls Basketball
1 — THE KINKAID SCHOOL FALCONS
Kinkaid reached the SPC 4A Championship game in 2024 after not making the playoffs in the year prior. The Falcons fell just short and look to climb to the top of the mountain again in 2025 in order to claim their first SPC crown since 2019.
Stacey Marshall enters her 21st year at the helm of the program and sits 23 coaching wins away from No. 500.
Four starters return for Marshall’s youthful squad. A group of sophomores will lead the way, headlined by All-SPC selections Lauren Hull and Sydney Marshall.
Last year, Marshall – who currently holds offers from SMU, Wisconsin, Princeton, and Columbia – contributed 12.3 points and nine rebounds per game, while Hull (Old Dominon offer) averaged 11.1 points every contest.
Others to watch include Lyllian Walton (8.1 ppg, 3.1 spg, 2.7 apg) and newcomer Ma'Ryiah Alfred, who comes over from Beaumont Westbrook.
Alfred (UNLV, Southern Alabama, SFA, Lamar, ACU offers) brings another level of offensive firepower, as she most recently earned a first-team, all-district nod and District Offensive Player of the Year honors for her impressive stat-line (20.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.9 spg, 2.7 apg).
Another player to keep an eye on is sophomore guard Kamdyn Flora.
Keys to success for Marshall’s team include having pressure defense, transition and pace, chemistry and teamwork.
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The stars of 2024-25 Cypress Lakes Girls Basketball
19 - CYPRESS LAKES SPARTANS
Last season, Cypress Lakes marched all the way to the Regional Semifinals for the first time in program history.
The Spartans finished with an impressive 25-11 overall record, and a fifth-round appearance. It was their second-straight season of winning 20-plus games.
The Spartans will have to replace the production of now-Rice Owl and reigning District MVP Aniah Alexis, who averaged 29 points and 12 boards per game a year ago. Her younger sister Makennah Alexis is the next in line.
Makennah is a two-time first-team, all- district pick and was the District’s Newcomer of the Year her freshman year. Last season, Makennah averaged 14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.1 steals and 2.7 assists per game.
Others to watch include honorable mention, all-district selections Lauryn Jeffries (3.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and Maycee Smith (2.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg).
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