GAMES
RANKINGS
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
VYPE Austin Preseason Private School Girls Basketball Team Breakdowns
No. 1 Regents School of Austin: The Lady Knights advanced to the TAPPS 5A regional final during the 2018-2019 season, and have a strong group of returning players that will put them in a spot to finish in a later round in the 2019-2020 campaign. They are led by all-state honorable mention Susie McCormick, second-team all-district players Grace White, Sarah Scully and Maddie Krieg, and district honorable mentions Hannah Giammona, Riley Daniel and Emma Cordola.
No. 2 Texas School for the Deaf: The Rangers won their first 33 games of the 2018-2019 season before falling in the TAPPS 4A state semifinal, so they plan to build on that success during the 2019-2020 campaign. They will lean on all-state honorable mention Michaela Kelley, first-team all-district players Ashlene Etkie and Kaci Ketchum, second-teamers Ashley Harlicker, Brianne Leiker and Jewel Rocha, and honorable mentions Jayne Taylor and Isadora Egbert.
No. 3 Austin St. Michael's Catholic Academy: The Crusaders missed the 2018-2019 TAPPS 5A postseason, but have a strong group of returning players to make an appearance in the 2019-2020 campaign. They include first-team all-district stars Kathryn Georgia Morton and Alexis Threadgill, second-teamers Addison Earley, Lily Watkins and Mia Wilson, and honorable mentions Gabrielle Bliss, Avery Lindsey and Audrey Griffith.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
No. 4 Hyde Park: The Panthers reached the TAPPS 5A area round during the 2018-2019 season, so their returning players have the necessary playoff experience to produce another postseason appearance in the 2019-2020 campaign. First-team all-district talent Rebecca Whittenburg, second-teamers Abbie Butler and Kate Newman, and honorable mentions Julia Montgomery, Kinsley Rogers and Maleah Springer will keep them on the path to achieve their preseason projection.
No. 5 Austin St. Andrew's Episcopal School: The Highlanders advanced to the SPC quarterfinal and fifth-place game during the 2018-2019 season, so they'll be a team to watch in the 2019-2020 campaign. They'll lean on notable returning players Mia Tobias, Melina Ruelas, Scout Swanson and Oneida Habarurema.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Small School
No. 1 Austin Waldorf School: The Roadrunners ran to the TAPPS 2A state semifinal during the 2018-2019 season and will be in a position to go even further during the 2019-2020 campaign. That's because they have first-team all-state Risa Olson and all-state honorable mention Ruby Bledsoe leading a pack that includes first-team all-district player Ruby Tunney, second-teamers Clara Pickens and Daisy Palmer, and district honorable mention Eva Maguire.
No. 2 Faith Academy of Marble Falls: The Lady Flames reached the TAPPS 3A area round during the 2018-2019 season and have a lot of promise for the 2019-2020 campaign. They have second-team all-state honoree Christian Wilcox leading a pack that includes first-team all-district talents Bailey Freeman, Valerie Coffey and Juliette McCannon and second-teamers Christian Glosson and Greysen Lenz.
No. 3 Round Rock Christian Academy: The Lady Crusaders had a short TAPPS 3A bi-district appearance during the 2018-2019 season, and have the necessary strong lineup to make more noise in the 2019-2020 campaign. Second-team all-state player CJ Jaramillo leads a group that includes first-team all-district talents Juliana Eckert and Lydia Headley, second-teamers Makaila Beardmore and Jasmine Eckert, and honorable mention Annie Mikeska.
No. 4 Fredericksburg Heritage School: The Eagles advanced to the TAPPS 1A regional final during the 2018-2019 season, so they know the expectation for the 2019-2020 campaign. They'll lean on first-team all-district players Celia Ashley and Josie Fevig, and second-teamers Livy Jons and Lilah Brillhart.
No. 5 San Marcos Hill Country Christian School: The Rams had an awesome run to the TAPPS 1A state semifinal during the 2018-2019 season, and can be a force again in the 2019-2020 campaign. That's because their roster has second-team all-district players Holly Prestage, Faith Stewart, Mei-li Busse, Viviana Norman and Makayla Unks.
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25-6A Football Preview: Loaded Lake Travis Aims For 7th State Title
Westlake Chaparrals
Austin Bowie Bulldogs
Hays Rebels
Del Valle Cardinals
Austin Anderson Trojans
Austin High Maroons
Austin Akins Early College Eagles
Kyle Lehman Lobos
Preseason Awards
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MVP: Lake Travis QB Hudson Card
Defensive MVP: Lake Travis LB Mauricio Trevino
Sleeper Team: Austin High
The Prospectus
Lake Travis fell in the 2017 UIL 6A Division I state title game and the 2018 UIL 6A Division I state semifinal, so it's hungry to win its seventh UIL state football championship in 2019. The Cavaliers will have such a strong team that their first and second string quarterbacks are FBS recruits. 2020 Texas commit Hudson Card will be their starter for a second straight season, and backup Nate Yarnell has offers from Houston and Tulsa. Linemen Dawson Weiss and Andrew Salem will protect them, so they can connect with running back Weston Stephens and receivers Kyle Eaves and Grayson Sandlin. Teamwork on that side of the ball will be extra important this season because Texas 2021 tight end commit Lake McRee is expected to miss the season with a knee injury. On the other side of the ball, the Cavs are strong as well. Linebackers Mauricio Trevino and Nick Villarreal will lead a defensive charge that also includes Derrick Johnson, Aden Nava and Copeland Gothard in the secondary and Raleigh Erwin on the line.
Westlake lost a strong senior class that led it to the 2018 UIL 6A Division II state semifinal, but its 11 returning starters will keep it on track for a multi-round playoff appearance in 2019. The Chaparrals will lean on a receiving corps that includes Arkansas 2020 commit Mason Mangum and Columbia commit Jackson Coker, as well as a secondary that includes Sage Luther and Leo Lowin. The team will also be in good shape because quarterbacks Kirkland Michaux and Drew Willoughby earned valuable experience as Taylor Anderson's backups last season.
Austin Bowie has advanced to 12 consecutive UIL football postseasons, so it plans to add another year to its playoff streak in 2019. The Bulldogs have a star in quarterback Trinidad Sanders, so lineman Logan Miller needs to give him the necessary protection and time to find target Jayden York. The latter two also have defensive roles, so you'll see them on the field with linebacker/defensive lineman Tristan Fahrenthold.
Hays won its first seven games and finished as a UIL 6A Division I bi-district finalist in 2018, so its four returning starters know the expectation for the 2019 season. Running back Xavier Green will guide the offense, while defensive back Pi-Ellei Henderson and linebackers Zach Hobert and Cole Johnson have similar roles on defense.
Del Valle hasn't reached the UIL postseason since 2016, but can make a run at it in 2019. The Cardinals have had fast starts to the last two seasons, and running back recruit Tavierre Dunlap and receiver recruit Caleb Burton will give them more opportunities to win district games in 2019. On the defensive side, look for lineman Andres Gomez and defensive backs Chris Turner and Chris Reed to lead the charge.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Austin Anderson finished the 2018 season with a .500 record, so it expects more consistent play in 2019. The Trojans have 15 returning starters, and key playmakers in quarterback Carsten Groos, receiver Grose Kiel, tight end Kelby Hickerson and defensive backs Kameron Langford and Jordan Hood.
Austin High had a disappointing 3-7 record in 2018, but has a couple things going for it in 2019. The Maroons are known for their offensive success, and FBS quarterback recruit Charles Wright is a trusted leader for that side of the ball. He'll be able to connect with running back Grayson Davis and receiver Colby Kalbacher because linemen Harrison Donovan and Jim Sanchez will give him the necessary blocking. Ultimately, the progression of the defense will determine if the team can clinch its fifth playoff appearance in the past six years.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Austin Akins Early College earned three of its four victories in the first five games in 2018, so it needs a stronger finish to make more noise in 2019. The Eagles have trusted defensive backs in Trystin Brown and Robert Mallet, a reliable receiver in Antonio Lopez and a new quarterback in Rocco Degelia.
Kyle Lehman had a winless season in 2018, and will still face an uphill climb in 2019. The Lobos only have eight returning starters, so the play of offensive lineman Gilbert Partida, defensive back/running back Christian Garcia, defensive back Keon Bailey and running back Keyshaun Williams will be important.
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX) on Twitter.
Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.