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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.
Kam Newsome of FB Travis Hoops
THE PLAYMAKERS: Picking up speed powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Month, as the Winter season heats up.
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Divine Ugochukwu, Clements Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Rangers (21-0; 7-0) are sweeping the city of Houston past the mid-way point of the Winter season. So much so, that they earned the top spot in our updated rankings.
Their undefeated streak can be heavily attributed the overall performance made by pillars such as Aziz Olajuwon and Joshua Clark. However, none have been as valuable to Clements as Divine Ugochukwu.
The 6-foot-3 combo-guard has been lighting it up, scoring 17 points a game, with an average of 7 assists and 2 steals to boot.
If Ugochukwu and company can keep up this hot-streak, watch out for them in the later rounds of the postseason.
Addisyn Parker, La Porte Girls Basketball
Despite competing in a crowded district, La Porte (14-10; 3-2) is making their case for a potential title in the back-half of the Winter.
With all the close games they have been a part of, the reigning district MVP Addisyn Parker (Sr. G) continues to be the difference-maker that sets the Bulldogs apart.
Parker leads the team in scoring on a consistent basis and will undoubtedly be a key factor in La Porte's success down the line.
Kam Newsome, Travis Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Travis (20-4; 5-2) is picking up speed at the perfect time, having won nine consecutive games with the remainder of their district schedule in front of them.
Junior guard Kam Newsome has been played a significant role in that hot-streak.
Given how he's scored upwards of 20 points on more than one occasion, Newsome is making his case for the district MVP selection -- which speaks volumes, considering the level of talent that Fort Bend ISD consists of.
After narrowly missing out on the playoffs a year ago, it appears that Newsome and the Tigers are prepared to change that tune.
Jazmine Hansley, Dickinson Girls Basketball
The Gators (23-4) are currently on a 12-game winning-streak, which includes a perfect 5-0 start against their district counterparts.
Their momentum is a result of opponents' inability to keep up with Dickinson's proficient scorers -- Jazmine Hansley (Jr. G) being one of the best on the floor.
Alongside fellow play-maker Ciara Williams, Hansley and the Gators are certainly a team worth reckoning as they vie for a district title and more.
Fourest Mills, Manvel Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
While their season has had some ups and downs, Manvel is back on track as they have started district-play with three straight victories.
Sophomore Byron Green has been a worthy young addition to the team's competitive presence, however it will be the leadership of some of the senior stars -- Fourest Mills in particular -- that will guide the Mavericks to the postseason.
As one of the leading scorers for Manvel, Mills has shown his ability to change the trajectory of game, and then some.
Watch out for him and the Mavs as the rest of the district competition plays out.