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RANKINGS
VYPE Coaches Corner: Brazoswood Softball Coach Laura Oltman; Playoff Preview
With the Regional Tournament of the Texas high school softball playoffs upon us, the level of talent remaining has grown exponentially.
Look no further than Brazoswood (31-7), who enters Round No. 4, following an instrumental sweep over the 2023 Class 6A state champions -- Pearland -- in last week's contest.
Now, they face another challenge, however they've been getting prepared for this all Spring.
VYPE's Matthew Ogle spoke with head coach Laura Oltman, ahead of the Buccaneers' highly anticipated series versus Katy, as they look to punch their ticket to the Region III Final.
Check out the interview below!
CLICK HERE TO KEEP UP WITH THE UIL SOFTBALL PLAYOFF BRACKETS
STAR POWER: Auguste, Carlton, Minor carry banner for VYPE's Top 50 Females of 2023-24
Greater Houston is loaded with incredible female athletes who aren't just stars at their high schools but across the state and the nation.
Welcome to the female portion of VYPE's Hot 100 Athletes of the Year... a comprehensive list of public and private school boys and girls who became household names in Greater Houston.
So, how do we rank these elite athletes?
It's a tough criterium but VYPE combines performance on a local and state level, success in multiple sports, recruiting and college commitments, level of competition and what they meant to their respective programs.
Jaela Auguste of Grand Oaks was sensational over her career. The volleyball star led Grand Oaks to a State Championship last fall in dominant fashion. She's a generational talent headed to the University of Florida. But don't forget, she is the first Grizzly to medal in State Track and Field. As a sophomore, she earned silver in the high jump at State.
Seven Lakes' Justice CarltonBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Seven Lakes' Justice Carlton has an amazing story. She burst onto the scene as a freshman and was the next big thing on the hardwood. Carlton, however, suffered an ACL injury last summer, came back and was the MVP of the district. The University of Texas-signee was also named as a McDonald's All-American and played in front of the home crowd at the Toyota Center.
FBCA's Bayleigh Minor is a beast and she's only getting better. The junior is the biggest name in TAPPS track and field, having led the Eagles to three straight State Titles. Did you know she might even be a better volleyball player? Minor is crazy-athletic on the court and was a TAPPS all-state selection. She helped FBCA win a TAPPS State Volleyball title two years ago.
This list was so tough to rank because of the tremendous talent across all sports, but here are you Top 50 Females Stars of 2023-24.
VYPE’S TOP 50 FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
No. 1 Jaela Auguste, Grand Oaks (Volleyball)
No. 2 Justice Carlton, Seven Lakes (Basketball)
No. 3 Bayleigh Minor, FBCA (Track, Volleyball)
No. 4 Ella McDowell, Foster (Softball)
No. 5 Mercy Freeman, Rosehill Christian School (Basketball, Volleyball, Track)
No. 6 Maddie Peters, Pearland (Cross Country, Track)
No. 7 Halle Thompson, Grand Oaks (Volleyball)
No. 8 Me’Arah O’Neal, Episcopal (Basketball)
No. 9 Lillian Harden, Bridgeland (Track)
No. 10 Zachara Perkins, Summer Creek (Basketball)
No. 11 Kassie O’Brien, Cinco Ranch (Volleyball)
No. 12 Cameryn Harrison, Katy (Softball)
No. 13 Rylee Ferranti, Klein Oak (Wrestling)
No. 14 Hailey Nutter, Barbers Hill (Softball)
No. 15 Bella Flores, Kingwood (Golf)
No. 16 Wagoner Towsen, Seven Lakes (Soccer)
No. 17 Ashtyn Lewis, Iowa Colony (Track and Field)
No. 18 Bailey Warren, Fulshear (Volleyball)
No. 19 KK LeBlanc, Friendswood (Swimming)
No. 20 Ayla McDowell, Cypress Springs (Basketball)
No. 21 Mackenzie Collins, Shadow Creek (Volleyball, Track)
No. 22 Madeline Buckley, Magnolia West (Golf)
No. 23 Peyton Fadal, Barbers Hill (Volleyball)
No. 24 Peyton Tanner, Brazoswood (Softball)
No. 25 Avery Beckman, Friendswood (Wrestling)
No. 26 Sarah Fedoruk, Frassatti Catholic (Swimming)
No. 27 Madison Lambert, Katy Jordan (Soccer)
No. 28 Morgan Madison, Episcopal (Cross Country, Track)
No. 29 Celeste Robinson, Cypress Ranch (Track and Field)
No. 30 Shun’teria Anumele, FB Austin (Basketball)
No. 31 Ahona Chowdhury, The Woodlands (Tennis)
No. 32 Jaycee Jenkins, Rosehill Christian (Golf)
No. 33 Nadi’ya Shelby, Friendswood (Volleyball)
No. 34 Livy Sauvageau, Second Baptist School (Basketball)
No. 35 Sohana Spencer, Summer Creek (Soccer)
No. 36 Alyssa Jones, Fulshear (Track and Field)
No. 37 Okeke Ogechi, Hightower (Basketball)
No. 38 Kirra Musgrove, Lutheran South (Volleyball)
No. 39 Sydney Jackson, Bridgeland (Softball)
No. 40 Riley Rayome, The Woodlands (Wrestling)
No. 41 Samara Coleman, Grand Oaks (Volleyball)
No. 42 Zoe Nordmann, The Woodlands (Swimming)
No. 43 Michelle Li, Memorial (Tennis)
No. 44 Alice Volpe, Bridgeland (Volleyball)
No. 45 Allie Williams, Episcopal (Softball)
No. 46 Brianna Carrigan, Tomball Memorial (Soccer)
No. 47 Staucie Lees, Grand Oaks (Cross Country)
No. 48 Emrie Holt, Episcopal (Basketball)
No. 49 Brianna Rivers, Summer Creek (Track and Field)
No. 50 Sarah Chappelle, TWCA (Track and Field)
...
HONORABLE MENTION:
Anna Blaine, Concordia Lutheran (Volleyball)
Jamison Louie, FBCA (Golf)
Blake Olivier, Episcopal (Soccer)
Kaleigh Frazier, Rosehill Christian (Track and Field)
Lauren Fincher, Friendswood (Soccer)
Lauryn Soeken, Katy (Softball)
Janiya Murphy, Summer Creek (Basketball)
Anahi Alvarado, Tomball Memorial (Volleyball)
Felicity Hamilton, Klein Cain (Cross Country, Track)
Kennedy Hill, Heights (Softball)
Adele Neuhaus, Concordia Lutheran (Volleyball, Basketball, Track)
Kailey Kennedy, Friendswood (Swimming)
Alisa Sneed, Conroe (Softball)
Chloe Morgan, Barbers Hill (Volleyball)
Ella Lee, Concordia Lutheran (Swimming)
Addy Sheppard, Kingwood (Softball)
Janey Leiker, Legacy Prep (Swimming)
Ella Morgan, Clear Lake (Soccer)
Audrey Terry, Grand Oaks (Volleyball)
Nicole Santos, Cypress Christian (Track and Field)
Gabriella Martinez, Cinco Ranch (Volleyball)
Kira Whitman, FBCA (Soccer)