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Alief Taylor's Nataliyah Gray
TOP OF THE LINE: Taylor's Gray cementing status as an Alief legend
Gray’s proficiency as a scorer is unmatched in the district, as she surpassed the 2000-point and 1000-rebound milestones in 2023, to earn herself the distinction of being crowned the 23-6A Offensive Player of the Year once again.
Furthermore, she was named to the TABC All-Region team for the third consecutive year.
Most would assume that she aspires to be like WNBA sensations Angel Reese (Chicago Sky) or Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever), just as many young athletes do.
Think again.
“If anybody else wants to say it, most would say (Angel) Reese or (Caitlin) Clark,” Gray said. “But for me, I love A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces). I think she impacts the game in so many ways. She’s a three-level scorer and that’s what I strive to do.
“I try to be more consistent in every single column – shooting threes, finding the mid-range points, and being able to drive to the basket. So, I definitely model my game after her.”
Gray also takes after her mother, Chontel Reynolds, who played for the University of Houston before reaching the WNBA.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Speaking of universities, Taylor’s leading scorer (20.8 ppg in 2023) finally announced where she’ll call home in the foreseeable future, as she signed with Mississippi State in November
“Going on my official visit there gave me a lot of perspective – how I can physically see myself going into that program. I feel like I have a real connection with Coach (Sam) Purcell and his staff, and I think they can help guide me towards my goal of joining the WNBA one day."
Her imminent collegiate career aside, Gray will soon embark on the final stretch of her time with the Lions.
Coach Brandy Jones’ squad went 20-15 last winter, which included an appearance in the Area Round of the postseason.
Now that they move into a new district (20-6A), what’s it going to take for Gray and company to reach that next step?
“I think it’s going to relate to our confidence and trust,” she said. “We need to be able to trust in each other in order to go far. Consistency will come through the work we put in at practice, for when we actually get going in the season.
“Our schedule is going to be a little harder this year. So, we’re going to match up against some good competition, which is definitely going to have us ready for the playoffs.”
Given her reputation and unquestionable talent, fans might very well see Gray on a professional court one day.
As a team, Taylor has the depth to make a considerable run into 2025, when the season heats up in December.
Although, regardless of what may come, she’s already solidified her standing as an all-time great to emerge from Alief ISD.
Alief Taylor's Kearstyn Spears
MASTER CHEF: Spears the key ingredient to Taylor revival
However, her skill-set began production long before stepping onto varsity as a sophomore.
“I’ve played volleyball since I was about four years old, and joined AAU when I was nine,” she said. “So, I’ve been in the volleyball industry for almost all of my life. One of the things that I’ll take from this high school experience is probably the chemistry I’ve built with my teammates, and the ones I’ll have in the future.
“The actual skills I’ve learned throughout from my coaches is something else I appreciate, especially with the amount of time they’ve dedicated to my development.”
2024-25 Alief Taylor VolleyballJamey Wright (VYPE)
Said development could lead to this senior Lion finding herself on a collegiate court someday.
“I just visited Dillard University (New Orleans), and I did like it,” said Spears. “So, I’m going take that route, and hopefully make my way towards a scholarship to play there. In terms of a career, I want to enter nursing school.
“At Taylor, I’m in the Health Science program and we do clinicals at the local hospital, so I’m very interested in that pathway. I know that’s a tough field to get into, especially if I’m going to be playing volleyball, which means time-management is going to be big for me.”
If that wasn’t enough to prove how multi-talented she is, Spears undertakes an additional hobby on the side.
“During my free time, I like to bake,” Spears said. “I can make a few dishes, but I usually tend to stick with desserts. My best is my ‘monkey-bread’ – a type of banana bread – that I make when I can.”
But, back to volleyball.
While Taylor has gone through somewhat of rough patch in recent years, a change in scenery with a new district, paired with the mentality that Spears shares with her teammates could prove to be the definitive factor in their return to the postseason.
“It’s definitely going to take some hard work and determination,” she said. “As a team, I don’t think we were confident enough and I feel like we just gave up too soon. But, this is my senior year. I don’t want to go winless in the district again. Therefore, we need to work hard for it.”
The first serve will be here in an instant, so expect this group to make their case to re-enter the district conversation with the leader it needs.