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BEST KEPT SECRET: Lamar CISD quietly filling trophy case
What is the best district in the city of Houston, athletically?
Katy ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Cy-Fair ISD, Humble ISD... Conroe ISD?
Have you ever heard of Lamar Consolidated ISD in Richmond-Rosenberg? Probably not.
The Randle Lions knocked off state power South Oak Cliff in the Class 5A DII State Title Game, 38-35, in Arlington, Texas to capture the school’s first title since opening three short years ago, under the direction of coach Brian Randle. Does the name sound familiar? Coach Randle is the son of Dr. Randle, the district's former superintendent, whom the school is named after.
“We are doing great things here,” coach Brian Randle said. “It’s sort of surreal to win it here. My father’s name is all over the building and we try to instill his beliefs in our guys. I’m extremely proud.”
But it hasn't just been Randle carrying the Lamar CISD banner. Fulshear volleyball advanced to the Class 6A DI State Title Game against back-to-back champ Grand Oaks High School, while the Foster girls water polo reached the State Finals this fall. The boys reached the State Semis.
In its first year of 6A football, the Fulshear Chargers fell to Atascocita in the Regional Semis, while the Randle girls' basketball team reached the State Final Four in 2024.
“We have had a really good year,” LCISD athletic director Devin Gabbard said. “It’s always great to win a State Championship, especially over a perennial power in football like South Oak Cliff. For a school like Randle that is so new, it gives them an identity... something to hang their hat on.
"Credit to those coaches and kids. Every week, you could see their confidence building. It’s hard for those kids to realize what they really accomplished. As a district, Lamar CISD is one the best-kept secrets in Houston.”
The district has grown exponentially with originals Lamar Consolidated, BF Terry and Foster. George Ranch, Fulshear and newcomer Randle have come on-line since 2010 and new school Tomas will soon open. An eighth school is on the slate north of Fulshear.
That makes eight schools sharing one football stadium…. ONE. After a failed bond in 2022, seven schools will play at one district stadium, including a State Champ for now.
“It’s a great mix of talent, coaches and tradition,” Grand Oaks coach Shaun McDowell said, who used to be the head coach of Foster. “The area is just having growing pains because of the rapid growth. The facilities need to catch up.”
For now, Lamar CISD will continue to do more with less in an ever-growing, competitive high school arms race.
The question is, for how long?
That is what makes Randle’s feat so impressive.
2024-25 Cypress Springs Girls Basketball
BEST IN THE BUSINESS: Cypress Springs has sights on State as VYPE's No. 1
1 — CYPRESS SPRINGS PANTHERS
There is no sugar-coating this: Cypress Springs is a heavy favorite to make it to the Alamodome from H-Town.
The Panthers are led by five-star and No. 20 nationally-ranked prospect Ayla McDowell, who is a two-time District MVP
and All-Region selection.
The South Carolina-commit is the highest-ranked Houston-area prospect for the Class of 2025 in the espnW HoopGurlz rankings.
The next big star rising in the hoop ranks also resides at Cypress Springs in Jemini Mitchell, who is ranked 14th in the espnW Class of 2027 rankings. Mitchell is already a five-star athlete who was the District 16-6A Newcomer of the Year last season.
Other players to watch include Prairie View A&M-commit Margan Allen and first-team, all-district pick Melanie Hodges.
This team went 30-3 a year ago and reached the Regional Semifinals and 11th-year coach Taneisha Rogers is ready for them to make a run to the Dome.
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