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Clear Falls' Maxwell Williams
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Jordi Garcia, Dobie Boys Soccer
Dobie Soccer following their Regional Semifinals win against Katy Jordan
Photo acquired via Twitter: @DobieBoysSoccer
The Longhorns were a force to be reckoned with on the pitch this Winter.
Following an undefeated District Championship, Dobie advanced to the fifth round of the UIL Soccer postseason to ultimately become the Region III Runner Ups. Their total record was a remarkable 24-1-4 on the season.
This was in no small part due to the phenomenal play by senior forward Jordi Garcia, who led Dobie’s attack throughout the year. Most recently, he had a significant role in the Longhorns’ win against Katy Jordan to make the Pasadena ISD school the Regional Semifinals Champions. Dobie was reached the Region Finals for the first time in six years.
Makenna Mitchell, Santa Fe Softball
Santa Fe's Makenna Mitchell
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
Santa Fe Softball is at it again.
Boasting a ridiculous 23-2-1 (7-1 district) record, the Indians are on the fast track to their second-consecutive district title with the postseason right around the corner.
Among the considerable number of standouts on the roster, senior SS Makenna Mitchell (Texas Tech-signee) has been one of the most consistent both on the field and at bat. As it currently stands, Mitchell leads the team in hits (34), runs (34) and stolen bases (19) with her other stats being equally sublime (.453 BA, 22 RBIs, 5 HR).
Mitchell, along with her fellow playmakers such as senior RHP Sidne Peters, will make Santa Fe a team worth fearing come playoff time.Maxwell Williams, Clear Falls Baseball
Clear Falls' Maxwell Williams
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
With a current record of 16-9 (5-1 in district), Clear Falls is on the verge of regaining the district crown as the regular season is almost wrapped up.
The leadership displayed by senior RHP/OF Maxwell Williams has been a big reason for that, among the performances from several of the Knights’ other key players.
Despite the fact that he’s primarily a football player (Navy-signee), Williams has been making some noise on the diamond in his swan-song year. He’ll be depended on to be one of the driving forces in the bullpen to aid Clear Falls in their potential playoff run.
Olivia Schmidt, Friendswood Girls Soccer
Friendswood celebrates after their win over Waltrip in the UIL Area Round
Photo acquired via HC Laura Peter
Senior forward Olivia Schmidt was the driving force behind Friendswood’s exceptional Winter season.
After surpassing 100 career goals in February, she helped lead the Mustangs to an undefeated (12-0) district championship en route to the UIL postseason.
From there, Schmidt would play a significant role in the team’s advancement past Goose Creek Memorial (2-1) in the Bi-District round, followed by a hat-trick she scored in Friendswood’s 5-1 win over Waltrip in the Area Round, before ultimately falling to Port Neches-Groves in the Regional Quarterfinals.
Despite the Mustangs’ season ending sooner than expected, Schmidt’s presence on the pitch in her final year cannot be overstated.
Mia Estrello, Brazoswood Softball
Brazoswood's Mia Estrello
Photo acquired via Twitter: @LadyBucsSB
Sophomore 2B/3B Mia Estrello is supercharging the Brazoswood softball program in the homestretch of the regular season.
After recently hitting a grand slam to propel her team past Clear Brook in a pivotal district matchup, the Lady Bucs now sit firmly atop their division with a 22-5 (8-1 district) record.
Considering Estrello is only in her second year at the school, the future of the program will be in good hands.
However, all that matters now is the team’s imminent playoff run, as Estrello, Tennessee-commit Peyton Tanner (Jr. RHP), Haley Hughes (Sr. OF/C) and Taryn McDougal (Sr. C) will be among the talented Brazoswood lineup who will be pushing for a State Championship.Our specialists recognize the importance of being able to maintain an active lifestyle and whether you’re looking to address a joint injury, receive prompt treatment for a concussion, or simply improve your overall athletic performance, UTMB Health Orthopedics Sports Medicine is here to help.
Santa Fe is in the regional final for the first time since 2014.
‘Reloading’ Santa Fe in regional final for 1st time since 2014
With only two seniors and high-caliber, but raw, talent, the Indians are in the regional final for the first time since 2014. Third-year coach Christina Jaques and a core of juniors in Sidne Peters (Washington commit), Makenna Mitchell (Texas Tech commit), and Brooklyn Spencer, and seniors Reagan Smith and Ashley Nickerson, have expedited what should have been a steep learning curve.
“They’re dedicated. They work hard,” Jaques said of her girls. “We went into this year feeling like our backs were against the wall. We had a chip on our shoulder to prove, hey, why not us? It’s been a process of showing these younger girls the ropes, learning to work together.”
The Indians graduated eight seniors from last year’s regional quarterfinalist, which was a disappointing end to a season with high hopes.
This season, players made a more concerted to give their all on every play, intent on not leaving games up to plays that might or might not be made. With so many new players around that veteran core, faith, trust and belief have been works in progress throughout the year.
Jaques stressed game-like simulations during practices. They are tougher and more demanding, so much so that now the game comes easier to players.
“Patience has been a huge deal,” Jaques said. “We know we’re going to play really young at times. We know we’re going to have some green areas. But as a coach, we have to make sure the girls grow off that. Each practice is figuring out where we need the most work in, and sometimes it means going back to something you’ve already addressed.”
Just like players had to go back to the basics, the coaches had to as well, challenging themselves to put players in better positions to succeed.
Every returner from last season, aside from the pitchers, is playing a different position than they were last year.
“We were going to have to coach our butts off and think in ways we hadn’t before,” Jaques said. “It was about our core girls and building around that.”
Still, despite all the newness and rebuilding, Jaques knew the team could do something special this year.
A big reason why is Peters, who, in six playoff games, has allowed one run on 11 hits while striking out 44 in 32 innings. She had a perfect game against Nederland in the bi-district round and back-to-back complete-game shutouts of Richmond Foster in the regional quarterfinals.
Santa Fe junior Sidne Peters.VYPE Media
“Her settling in each year and getting more games underneath her, I think the kid has grown tremendous in the mental aspect of it,” Jaques said. “The way she approaches teams now and the way she’s more confident. She’s dominating, and she’s letting her defense play for her. No matter how the game has flowed, she has that confidence in our defense that has really been a tremendous stride for her.”
Peters is also a threat at the plate. Against Kingwood Park in the regional semifinal, she went 3-for-3 with a home run, double and five RBIs.
“She’s our rock,” Jaques said. “She’s very, very special, and as time goes on, she dominates more and more as we see tougher opponents. She’s just so locked in.”
Around Peters is a selfless, gifted group of young ladies willing to do whatever it takes to win.
Spencer is a leader behind the plate. Nickerson plays everywhere; a first baseman last year, she is playing more of a utility role this year, depending on whatever Jaques needs.
The pitching staff is one of the best in the Greater Houston area in Peters, Smith and Jaden Cooper. Sophomore Mea Slayton has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in centerfield. Mitchell is a sparkplug of energy at shortstop. Freshman outfielder Kaitlyn Torres has been a boon.
“Whatever has been expected for our team and what we’ve needed, our girls have given,” Jaques said. “It’s been about what’s best for our team, and that’s been a big part of our success. We’re going to get everyone’s ‘A’ game. Our kids know we have to be tough. We have to let the little things go, and as long as we’re growing, we’re going to find out way.”