GAMES
RANKINGS
RUN THIS TOWN: Freshman Toney making Mag West a Contender
Break up the Mustangs of Magnolia West.
Coach Jeremy Collins returned to Magnolia West two years ago after a stint at College Park, where he was the head coach.
Collins jumped at the chance to become the head coach for West for several reasons. His wife teaches at West and he lives five minutes from campus.
He has also built a select softball program, Magnolia Elite, which has had some early national success. Not to mention, he can coach his young daughter at Magnolia Elite as he develops the community's future softballer stars.
But what about now?
Collins' squad is undefeated in district play and comes in at No. 8 in VYPE's newest Top 20 for the city.
And then there is Hailey Toney.
Grand slam from 3/9/21 against Katy Paetow @MWHS_Softball @IGNationalHays pic.twitter.com/HuFHrhGad9
— Hailey Toney (@ToneyHailey) March 14, 2021
Highlights from 3/4- 3/6 tournament! @MWHS_Softball @IGNationalHays pic.twitter.com/4DZXQqAQFn
— Hailey Toney (@ToneyHailey) March 14, 2021
"She is the best athlete I've ever seen on a softball field," he said. "And I've seen a lot. Every day she does something that I've never seen before on the field or at the plate."
And she's only a freshman.
Toney has been offered by virtually every school including LSU and Baylor and plays for Impact Gold during the summer.
"She leads off for us and hits over .600," he said. "She is a terror around the bases and plays shortstop. She has made some plays in games and in practice that are insane. She is a true student of the game."
While Toney is the present and future, Collins has a trio of seniors also pitching in. Pitcher Tony Tamborello has been unhittable and is committed to East Texas Baptist, while her battery-mate Liberty Hererra will play at Alvin CC. Outfielder Olivia Castillo has signed with Mt. Olive.
"It's all just coming together, and we are having a lot of fun," he said.
It seems like Magnolia West softball is in good hands with Collins and should become a state contender for years to come.
VYPE Houston Softball Rankings (3/31): Lake Creek, Barbers Hill leads Top 20
We are just a little past the mid-way point of district play for area softball teams and the picture has become even clearer on who the best of the best is in Houston.
The best team, hands down, has been Lake Creek.
The Lions are undefeated and rolled through their district competition. They have also beaten teams like Katy, Pearland, Atascocita, and Deer Park and those are all Class 6A teams. Emiley Kennedy has been crushing it hitting .375 with 24 RBIs and nine home runs. In the circle, Kennedy is 8-0 with 111 strikeouts and just seven walks with no runs in 55 innings.
Sophomore Ava Brown has also been crushing it, hitting .609 with 29 RBIs, 10 doubles, and seven home runs. Brown is also 7-0 with a 0.95 ERA with 76 strikeouts and three walks in 44 innings. Junior Madelyn Lopez is hitting .561 with 29 RBIs and four home runs.
Beyond Lake Creek, there are a lot of teams having amazing seasons as well. Check out the updated VYPE Top 20 below!
1)Lake Creek Lions (24-0, 7-0) (Prev. No. 7)
2)Barbers Hill Eagles (25-2, 7-0) (Prev. No. 3)
3)Clear Springs Chargers (18-0) (Prev. 19)
4)Cypress Woods Wildcats (21-3) (Prev. Unranked)
5)Deer Park Deer (22-5-1) (Prev. No. 6)
6)Foster Falcons (21-3, 9-0) (Prev. Unranked)
7)Alvin Yellowjackets (19-3) (Prev. 4)
8)Magnolia West (18-4, 7-0) (Prev. Unranked)
9)Pearland (16-5-1) (Prev. Unranked)
10)Crosby Cougars (14-2, 5-2) (Prev. 13)
11)Cypress Ranch Mustangs (16-4, 6-1)
12)Bridgeland Bears (17-9, 5-2) (Prev. 10)
13)Atascocita Eagles (14-6, 5-1) (Prev. 8)
14)Huffman Falcons (17-7, 5-1) Prev. 17)
15) George Ranch (10-4, 8-0) (Prev. Unranked)
16)Ridge Point Panthers (14-7) (Prev. 9)
17)Katy Tigers (9-2-2, 6-0) (Prev. 15)
18)Oak Ridge (13-4, 3-0) (Prev. 2)
19)Santa Fe Indians (10-2, 9-1) (Prev. 1)
20)Cypress Creek Cougars (10-3, 7-0)
Others to Watch: Spring, Pearland Dawson, New Caney, Friendswood, Angleton, Waller, Manvel, Grand Oaks, Heights,