GAMES
RANKINGS
Mason Strolberg (11), Brooke Sample, and Noah Zamora (22) sitting in the dugout.
VYPE U: Hargrave High School’s Bat Girl Brooke
At Hargrave, Brooke's mother is an assistant tennis coach and the girls athletic coordinator and her father coaches baseball and football. Brooke was often at Falcon sporting events anyways, so it was a great transition once she became the bat girl. She took on the role because she loves baseball and being around her dad and the team.
It went well for both the players and the Sample family when Brooke became the bat girl. The Sample parents spent a lot of time around Hargrave athletics before, as their jobs require long hours away from home, so it has made it easier on them to have the kids around more often. The players love having Brooke around too.
Hagen Pike, Luke Thomas, and Mason Strolberg, three of the athletes Brooke has gotten to know best, shared about their unique friendships with Hargrave's number one fan. In just a short conversation, it's not hard to sense the magnitude of the impact Brooke has made on their programs.
Though her main role is the bat girl, Brooke supports various sports at Hargrave. At football and volleyball games, Brooke's strategy is simple. She "cheer[s] loud."
Brooke Sample and Hagen Pike posing at a volleyball match. From Brandy Sample
Pike, a senior volleyball player, says the team is constantly uplifted by Brooke's presence. They hear her chants at volleyball games and, "always say, 'Did you hear the cheer Brooke started?'" Pike believes that Brooke is "a great leader" and that she has "so much heart," inspiring Pike to "be the best [she] can be." Pike wishes that every fan at the volleyball games would have "as much enthusiasm and heart" as Brooke.
Brooke Sample and Luke Thomas posing at a football game. From Brandy Sample
Thomas, a junior football player, says that everyone on the team "welcomes Brooke in a loving and caring way each and every time [they] see her." Brooke is at every game cheering the Falcons on from the stands. On her influence on the team, Thomas commented that Brooke "[spreads] positivity each time [they] see her." She takes pictures with the players after games and is always there to truly "show [the players] how much she enjoys seeing [them] play."
Mason Strolberg (11), Brooke Sample, and Noah Zamora (22) sitting in the dugout. From Brandy Sample
When Brooke became the bat girl, the team welcomed her with open arms. Many of the kids already knew her from her previous presence at the games. Senior baseball player Mason Strolberg said that the team welcomed Brooke initially as they realized she, "is a character and will always bring happiness even in the saddest moments."
During the games, she likes to retrieve the bats, hang out in the dugout with the boys, and, of course, run out and cheer when one of them hits a home run. She even brings the team treats on her birthday and takes pictures with them after games.
Strolberg has known Brooke for over four years, and they have a unique relationship. Strolberg sometimes brings Brooke tacos and attends her own games. He supports Brooke to show that, "[he] cares about her as much as she cares about [the baseball team]."
All three of the athletes echoed similar sentiments about Brooke's effect on their teams. Her positivity makes a tremendous impact on Falcon athletics. The players make an effort to be positive role models by setting good examples in their words and actions around Brooke. To have younger kids look up to them is a great feeling for them, and Pike says the support of Brooke and other kids makes the volleyball team "play even harder," never "want[ing] to let them down."
Brooke's mother, Brandy Sample, says seeing Brooke get involved has been "kind of amazing," especially seeing how "sweet and kind" the kids are around Brooke.
Brooke has made a huge difference within the Hargrave High School athletics programs, and she continues to support the Falcons. As Brooke approaches her fourth season as bat girl, it is clear that her positive attitude and unmatched spirit have transformed Hargrave athletics with a lasting impact.
In Strolberg's words, Brooke is "the best bat girl there is no doubt about it!"
VYPE Class 4A Helmet Stickers powered by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine: Area Playoffs (Nov. 19-21)
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Class 4A teams and down just finished the second round of the playoffs this past weekend and are now heading into the Area Round. Who earned a VYPE Helmet Sticker this week?
Luke Thomas (@LukeMThomas1) - Huffman
We not finished yet...🏆 pic.twitter.com/EYJMy912TA
— Luke Thomas (@LukeMThomas1) November 21, 2020
Huffman made school history last week defeating Brazosport 42-14 and advancing to the third round of the playoffs, which had never been done before. Prior to that win, the playoffs have always ended for Huffman in the second round. A big key to the victory was the play of quarterback Luke Thomas, who finished 9 of 15 for 103 yards and two touchdowns and also had 92 yards and two scores rushing, including one from 51 yards out. Thomas finished with four total touchdowns for the Falcons. What a game by him. Huffman moves on to play Kilgore on Friday.
Trevor Baker (@Trevor_Baker10) - Needville
Another strike from @NeedvilleF QB Trevor Baker. This kid can spit it a little bit. Blue Jays are back inside the Lindale 10. #TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/UxJdgduag6
— Ryan Brauninger (@R_Brauninger) November 21, 2020
Needville saw its season come to an end last week with a 70-56 loss to Lindale. The Blue Jays were led in the game by quarterback Trevor Baker who finished 15 of 36 for 307 yards and two scores. The senior signal-caller finished his final year leading the Blue Jays offense with 2,164 yards passing and 21 touchdowns.
Kaleb Roberts (@K_robtheK9) - Stafford
— Kaleb Roberts (@K_robtheK9) November 20, 2020
Stafford saw its 2020 season come to an end on Saturday as the Spartans fell to Chapel Hill 40-14. A bright spot for Stafford in the game was the play of Kaleb Roberts. Roberts finished 4 of 10 for 102 yards and a score and then rushed for another 88 yards and a score. Roberts racked up 190 total yards and netted both scores for Stafford.
Rueben Owens II (@ii_rueben) - El Campo
Who can make a play, Black Unicorn can make a play 🤯. #Playmaker @RuebenOwens2 @MikeWestHTX pic.twitter.com/MuyeigYXWJ
— Rueben Owens ll #BlackUnicorn (@ii_rueben) November 22, 2020
El Campo saw its 2020 season come to an end last week with a 27-14 loss to Kilgore. The Ricebirds' offense was paced by its running game, which was fueled by Rueben Owens II. The sophomore continued to show why he is one of the best running backs in the Class of 2023. Owens rushed for 120 yards and a score on just 10 carries, averaging 12 yards per tote. Owens finishes his sophomore campaign with a 1,511 yards and 22 touchdowns. In nine of El Campo's 11 games this fall, Owens rushed for more than 100 yards and twice he broke 200 yards. His season high was 214 yards against Needville.
Paul Woodard (@Daddyo2022) - Brazosport
Paul Woodard on HudlBrazosport's season came to an end last week in a 42-14 loss to Huffman. The Exporters were led by junior running back Paul Woodard, who is going to be an exciting player to watch into 2021. Woodard finished with 154 yards and a score on 36 carries for the Exporters. Woodard finishes the season with 1,417 yards and 17 touchdowns. He eclipsed the 100-yard mark eight times this fall.
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