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2024-25 Fort Bend Travis Basktball
THE STATUS: Updated VYPE HOU Basketball Rankings entering district race; Travis, Alief Taylor skyrocket
Regarding the boys' side, Fort Bend Travis has experienced a meteoric rise in success, now that they currently maintain an 18-2 record, swiftly putting their district -- and the city for that matter -- on high alert.
As expected, Fort Bend Marshall (5A), Shadow Creek, Katy Jordan, Seven Lakes, Atascocita, and Ridge Point have been among the several programs to flourish and should anticipate lengthy runs in the ensuing postseason.
Don't sleep on the likes of Bellaire, Clear Springs, Friendswood (5A), Cinco Ranch, Iowa Colony (5A), Barbers Hill (5A), and Grand Oaks, though, as they have proven to be more than capable of winning the close contests.
Meanwhile, Stafford (23-0) has yet to face defeat within Class 4A, which bodes well for a team that's eager to make another run for State.
On the girls' side, Cypress Springs is certainly living up to the hype thus far, considering they've gone 18-3 despite facing a gauntlet of formidable opponents in their first couple of months.
Dawson (23-4) and Pearland (21-6) will be battling for District 22-6A in the coming weeks, while Clear Creek (20-4), Clear Brook (22-2), and Dickinson (17-8) will do the same in 24-6A, creating some enticing match-ups for audiences to witness.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the season, so far, has been the rapid level of success that Alief Taylor has enjoyed. As it stands, the Lions are 21-4 and should only continue to gain momentum on the road towards the Alamodome.
However, teams such as Hightower, Grand Oaks, Tomball Memorial, Summer Creek, and Cinco Ranch might have something to say about that.
With that in mind, see who's making waves on the H-Town basketball scene as we approach what should be a thrilling second half of the season.
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Alief Taylor Lions
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
VYPE HOU BOYS BASKETBALL TOP-20 (Class 6A-4A)
***Last section indicates current overall record/district record
1. Fort Bend Marshall Buffaloes (5A) -- 23-2; 3-0
2. Shadow Creek Sharks (6A) -- 18-2; 5-0
3. Katy Jordan Warriors (6A) -- 20-2; 5-0
4. Seven Lakes Spartans (6A) -- 20-5; 4-2
5. FB Travis Tigers (6A) -- 18-2; 2-0
6. Atascocita Eagles (6A) -- 14-4; 2-0
7. Ridge Point Panthers (6A) -- 15-5; 2-0
8. Cinco Ranch Cougars (6A) -- 21-3; 5-1
9. Friendswood Mustangs (5A) -- 20-3; 3-0
10. Clear Springs Chargers (6A) -- 20-3; 2-0
11. Bellaire Cardinals (6A) -- 14-7; 3-0
12. Grand Oaks Grizzlies (6A) -- 19-6; 6-0
13. Stafford Spartans (4A) -- 23-0; 3-0
14. Barbers Hill Eagles (5A) -- 15-6; 2-0
15. Iowa Colony Pioneers (5A) -- 16-8; 2-0
16. College Park Cavaliers (6A) -- 16-8; 4-2
17. Katy Tigers (6A) -- 20-3; 3-2
18. Summer Creek Bulldogs (6A) -- 13-9; 1-1
19. C.E. King Panthers (6A) -- 10-7; 2-0
20. Cypress Springs Panthers (6A) -- 16-8; 2-1
Honorable Mentions: Cypress Falls, Hitchcock, Mayde Creek, Booker T. Washington, FB Bush, Pearland, Willis, Clements, Dickinson, FB Austin, Nimitz, Tomball Memorial, Yates
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VYPE HOU GIRLS BASKETBALL TOP-20 (Class 6A-4A)
***Last section indicates current overall record/district record
1. Cypress Springs Panthers (6A) -- 18-3; 5-0
2. Dawson Eagles (6A) -- 23-4; 8-0
3. Clear Brook Wolverines (6A) -- 22-2; 3-1
4. Pearland Oilers (6A) -- 21-6; 7-1
5. Clear Creek Wildcats (6A) -- 20-4; 4-1
6. Alief Taylor Lions (6A) -- 21-4; 4-0
7. Hightower Hurricanes (6A) -- 19-5; 5-0
8. Grand Oaks Grizzlies (6A) -- 21-3; 8-0
9. Summer Creek Bulldogs (6A) -- 12-10; 4-0
10. Tomball Memorial Wildcats (6A) -- 19-4; 7-1
11. Manvel Mavericks (6A) -- 20-6; 6-2
12. Fulshear Chargers (6A) -- 20-7; 3-1
13. C.E. King Panthers (6A) -- 14-5; 3-1
14. Cinco Ranch Cougars (6A) -- 17-5; 7-1
15. Klein Bearkats (6A) -- 20-6; 5-2
16. Cypress Falls Eagles (6A) -- 17-4; 4-0
17. Tomball Cougars (6A) -- 18-5; 5-3
18. Dickinson Gators (6A) -- 17-8; 4-1
19. Katy Taylor Mustangs (6A) -- 19-5; 7-1
20. Shadow Creek Sharks (6A) -- 18-8; 5-3
Honorable Mentions: Montgomery, Klein Collins, Tompkins, Houston Memorial, FB Austin, Westfield, Cypress Ranch, Barbers Hill, Willowridge, North Shore, Hitchcock, Klein Oak, Wheatley
Fort Bend Travis' Justin Mack
FAT BOY’S PIZZA Player of the Month: Travis’ Mack eclipses 1000-pt mark to cap off stellar career
Despite the Winter ending sooner than expected, Travis still finished the year with a record of 28-7, which is the best the program has performed since their district championship year in the 2020-21 season.
Justin Mack can be heavily attributed for that success.
Following his first-team all-district performance in 2023, the senior guard proceeded to have yet another monster year, which resulted in Mack surpassing the 1000-point career milestone with the Tigers, in their 74-63 victory against Paetow in the Bi-District round of the playoffs.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“I wasn’t actually aware that I passed the mark at the moment,” Mack said. “They told me about it after the game, and everybody was walking in the hallway and clapping. It was a surreal moment, because not many people achieve that in their career. I was just very blessed to hit that milestone to finish my career with the school.”
According to Mack, he’s been a multi-sport athlete for the majority of his life – competing in sports ranging from football, soccer, baseball, and track and field, which he excelled in.
However, he always knew that his home was on the court.
2023-24 Fort Bend Travis BasketballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“The chemistry you feel with your teammates stands out the most to me,” said Mack. “It trains you, even outside of basketball – getting to know more people, becoming more sociable. Plus, it’s crazy to think about how far this sport can take you.”
It’s not so crazy, apparently.
After all, Mack’s skill will be taking him up north to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he’ll continue his basketball tenure at Augustana University.
“They (Augustana Recruiting) have been talking to us since June, right around the start of AAU,” he said. “All the time that they sacrificed – you could tell that the coaches really wanted me, really liked me. They traveled to come see me play in person, and always kept up with me, which I really appreciated.”
“The facility and atmosphere is very professional there. So, I naturally made my decision to go to Augustana.”
Once he advances to the collegiate level, and isn’t spending his time balling or acclimating to the drastic weather-change in South Dakota (low of 11℉ today), Mack will have plenty of time to invest in his other hobbies.
“Honestly, I really like to read and cook a lot,” he said. “Right now, since we’ve finished up in the playoffs, I’ve been cooking, learning up on new recipes – especially because I’m going to be by myself in college. I won’t be getting any more home-cooked meals, so it’s up to me to make sure I’m eating right.”
Mack’s signature dish? Chicken fettuccine alfredo.
As an Italian, myself, I can strongly attest that you can’t go wrong with that meal.
However, if his high school career is any indication, he won’t just be cooking in the kitchen next Winter.