Inside the St. Pius X Auditorium, it was all smiles on Wednesday morning.
Why shouldn't there have been? It was National Signing Day and six student-athletes were about to make life-changing decisions. They would sign to compete at the next level.
Football led the group as five athletes signed.
Andrew McGuire (Benedictine College), Cam McKeon (Nazarene University), Thomas Meadough (Oklahoma Baptist University), Jagger Pagano (University of San Diego) and Tony Ziegler (Wisconsin Lutheran College) all signed.
The final athlete to sign was Rushil Desai, who signed to run cross country at Trinity University.
As we touched on in their State Semis preview, it's been no secret that Bellville is a perennial title-contender, dating back to 1984, when they won it all in their State-debut.
19 appearances in the UIL State Tournament over the past four decades speaks for itself. But, this particular group just seems special.
The Brahmanettes (44-5) took down the reigning UIL-4A champion Davenport in a five-set thriller on Tuesday, giving coach Susan Brewer and company the opportunity to capture the program's first championship since 2005.
Considering the level of play that Bellville has maintained throughout this Fall, knocking off any challenger that comes in their path, it appears that the title is theirs to lose.
However, Decatur might have something to say about that.
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In each of the previous five times (2013, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2021) that they have reached the State-level of the playoffs, the Eagles have stepped off the court as UIL champions.
After sweeping Celina on Tuesday night, Decatur (31-13) now intends to go 6-for-6, under the direction of coach Stormi Snider.
Despite the odds, this squad has subverted expectations time and time again, which means they are not to be underestimated at this stage.
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In what could easily be a five-setter, these two Class 4A juggernauts will face each other Friday night (6:00 pm) at the Curtis Culwell Center, with championship glory on the line.
22 -- C.E. KING PANTHERS
C.E. King enjoyed what was easily the best season (24-11-1;8-6 in district) they’ve seen over the past decade, not only reaching the playoffs but advancing three rounds deep.
Given the fact that they will no longer have to contend with Beaumont United and West Brook, due to the UIL realignment, fortune should continue to favor coach Damien Mobley and company.
This will be a senior-laden group headlined by Christian Thomas, a 6-foot-7 forward who holds offers from Lamar, Bryant and George Mason, among others.
Others to watch include Adarian Ajah (Sr. F) and Eric Lavergne (Sr. G).
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The stars of 2024-25 Tompkins Girls Basketball
The Falcons could be considered a sleeping giant in the Greater Houston Area.
Katy Tompkins returns four starters off a team that went 29-7 overall and 14-2 in 19-6A play. Last season came to an end in the Bi-District round but with the starters back in the huddle for 12th-year coach Tammy Ray (245-103), this team is primed to make a run.
First-team, all-district pick Rihanna DeLeon (UTPB-commit) is a three-point specialist for the Falcons after making 118 a year ago, including draining 15 in a game against Hardin-Jefferson. Other players to watch include Sascha Coughran, Kate Hopkins, Haylie Panter and Kayli Jensen. Staying healthy will be one of the keys to success for the Falcons as they “Play Fast-Be Relentless” this season.
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