Every week, VYPE South TX hosts a poll to highlight top athletic achievers. Check out the recent winners, and some of the credentials that got them to that point.
La Joya Palmview's Briana Silerlo (VYPE South TX Public School Golfer of the Year)
1. Won the VYPE Films Poll with 10,678 of the 21,436 total votes.
2. The Lobo reached the Class 5A State Golf Tournament as an individual and shot a 158 total score.
United South's Roberto Ortiz (VYPE South TX Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year)
1. Won the VYPE Films Poll with 5,620 of the 10,786 total votes.
2. The Panther enters his junior year as a returning all-district kicker.
Sharyland's Roberto Farias (VYPE SouthTX Preseason Offensive Lineman of the Year)
1. Won the VYPE Films Poll with 21,370 of the 63,365 total votes.
2. The Rattler enters his senior year as a returning all-district center.
Winn's Alex Garcia (VYPE South TX Preseason Linebacker of the Year)
1. Won the VYPE Films Poll with 28,466 of the 95,395 total votes.
2. The Maverick enters his senior year as a returning all-district inside linebacker.
IT’S RARE FOR A CITY TO HAVE ONE OR TWO NATIONAL GIRLS’ BASKETBALL RECRUITS IN A CLASS.
Well, the Class of 2027 in the city of Houston is special.
The popularity of girls’ basketball has completely skyrocketed. Names like Caitlyn, Angel, A’ja, Breanna, Kelsey and Sabina are mainstream, household brands, who are changing the game as it relates to marketing and how the game is played.
Jemini Mitchell exploded onto the Houston high school scene with a breakout season alongside South Carolina-commit Ayla McDowell. The dynamic duo has the potential to be cutting down the nets inside the Alamodome this March. The 6-foot-3 star can do it all.
Cy Springs' Jemini MitchellBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“I think she’s the most versatile recruit for the Class of 2027 in the country,” Cy Springs coach Taneisha Rogers said. “Her versatility is what sets her apart. She can guard anyone on the court.”
Relatively new to the game is Hightower’s Ogechi Okeke, who is the centerpiece for the Hurricanes’ present and future.
“She hasn’t been playing very long but she is a sponge,” Hightower coach Jasmine Brewer said. “She was starting on varsity as a 14-year- old. Her ability to be coachable and pick up concepts is really impressive. She’s a great teammate and student as well.”
Kinkaid coach Stacey Marshall has the luxury of having three sophomore game- changers on one team... Ma’Ryiah Alfred, Lauren Hull and her daughter Sydney Marshall.
The stars of 2024-25 Kinkaid Girls BasketballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“This is a one of the best all-around classes I’ve ever seen here, and Houston has been a hotspot for recruiting for decades,” she said. “Sydney has an advanced understanding of the game and can really shoot the ball, while Lauren hasn’t even tapped her ceiling. She is an elite defender and can really finish around the rim. Ma’Ryiah is one of those ‘Three and D’ players who is so creative. She will also make the extra pass and has a high motor. Those three are high-level recruits.”
Down south is Pearland, home to A’Zyua Blair and Shiloh Grays, who also had big freshman seasons. They are getting a lot of recruiting attention already.
Pearland's A'Zyua BlairBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“A’Zyua really pushes the pace and will be a great college floor general,” Pearland coach Jere’ Adams said. “She gets her teammates involved and know when her teammates need her to take over. Shiloh is not her sister, RyLee. They are two different players. Shiloh can play inside and out and is a great rebounder. We call her a ‘walking double-double’.”
With a stellar sophomore class in H-Town, the future looks healthy for the Space City. It will be exciting to see how they develop and where they end up at the college level.
The stars of 2024-25 Concordia Lutheran Girls Basketball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
5 — CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CRUSADERS
Under the direction of head coach and CLHS AD Matt Neidigk, the Crusaders enjoyed their best season in years last winter, as they went 27-9 and reached the TAPPS-6A Regional round.
Fortunately for Concordia Lutheran, they have the luxury of bringing back nearly the entirety of their 2024 stars.
Senior forward Kenley Benson will continue to be the catalyst for the group, following yet another dynamic showcase that garnered her first-team, all-state honors.
Second-team, all-district selection and all-state honorable mention Leah Jurischk (Jr. G) also returns to provide additional veteran leadership, alongside fellow upperclassmen Kaitlin Rich (all-district honorable mention) and Megan Ingraham (Jr. F).
The Crusaders are in pursuit of their first State Final-Four appearance since 2016 and they just might have the fire-power to do so.
Cy Springs' Jemini MitchellBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The stars of 2024-25 Kinkaid Girls BasketballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Pearland's A'Zyua BlairBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
