GAMES
RANKINGS
Ayla McDowell of Cy Springs
THE HISTORY LESSON: Cy Springs leads VYPE's Top 5 State Contenders; the brackets
Cypress Woods, under the direction of Cy-Fair ISD athletic director Virginia Flores, won it in 2015 over Dallas Skyline. Erica Ogwumike was the game’s MVP and Nancy Mulkey was on the all-tournament team.
A year before, the Manvel Mavs beat Duncanville with Brianna Turner leading the way. She starred at Notre Dame, where she would win a National Championship.
In 2008 and 2010, Cy-Fair won State with the likes of Nneka Ogwumike and Chiney Ogwumike. Both were stars at Stanford and overall No. 1 picks in the WNBA.
So, what gives?
Over nearly 20 years, four teams have won State… three being from the Cy-Fair ISD.
Ten years after Cy Woods won the last H-Town title, there is a team that looks the part of a State Champion.
Shockingly, from the Cy-Fair ISD - Cypress Springs. The Panthers are blessed with a pair of national stars in Ayla McDowell and Jemini Mitchell. McDowell is a McDonald’s All-American and headed to super-power South Carolina, while Mitchell is one of the top sophomores in the country.
Looking ahead in the Class 6A DII Region II bracket, the Panthers are on a collision course with state-ranked Lancaster out of Dallas to get to the State Final Four.
Yes, DeSoto is in there, but the Eagles aren’t the Eagles of old.
With Cypress Springs as the No. 1 team in H-Town with realistic State Title dreams, who else has a shot as the playoffs have expanded into two divisions per classification?
THE GALLERY
Ayla McDowell of Cy Springs
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THE TOP 5 CONTENDERS
No. 1 Cy Springs - A lock for the State Final Four in Class 6A DII Region II. Too much star power.
No. 2 Hightower - Coach Jasmine Brewer has a balanced lineup with great guards and a talented young post in Okeke. Only CE King and Alief Taylor stand in the way in Class 6A DII Region III… kind of.
No. 3 Dawson - Journey Lovett, Jaycee Ingram, Kendall Ford, Mia Barre and Jaylynn Perez-Richard are connected as a team and ran the table in a competitive district. Summer Creek, Pearland or Cinco Ranch will challenge the Class 6A DI Region III State Final Four spot. Clear Brook has a “Big Three” as well.
No. 4 Summer Creek - the Lady Bulldogs have played a BRUTAL non-conference schedule that may have them prepared for a run. They have the playoff experience and a bona fide star in Kennedy Simpson. They can win every playoff game in Class 6A DI Region III… but on the flip… they can lose them all too.
No. 5 Alief Taylor - The Lions have a special talent in Nataliyah Gray (Miss. State signee), but don’t sleep on Madison Bush-Lewis and Samyra Williams in support. If they BELIEVE they are supposed to be in this conversation, they have a shot.
SLEEPER ALERTS - Klein Collins is well-coached with young stars who are hungry. Grand Oaks and Bree Riley can run, run, run. Cinco Ranch has a bucket in Foye, while Clear Brook has McLauren, Castillo and Terrell balancing the floor. Wheatley and Willowridge are the top teams from Houston in Class 4A. Barbers Hill and Friendswood lead the way in Class 5A.
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THE BRACKETS
Alief Taylor's Nataliyah Gray
TOP OF THE LINE: Taylor's Gray cementing status as an Alief legend
Gray’s proficiency as a scorer is unmatched in the district, as she surpassed the 2000-point and 1000-rebound milestones in 2023, to earn herself the distinction of being crowned the 23-6A Offensive Player of the Year once again.
Furthermore, she was named to the TABC All-Region team for the third consecutive year.
Most would assume that she aspires to be like WNBA sensations Angel Reese (Chicago Sky) or Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever), just as many young athletes do.
Think again.
“If anybody else wants to say it, most would say (Angel) Reese or (Caitlin) Clark,” Gray said. “But for me, I love A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces). I think she impacts the game in so many ways. She’s a three-level scorer and that’s what I strive to do.
“I try to be more consistent in every single column – shooting threes, finding the mid-range points, and being able to drive to the basket. So, I definitely model my game after her.”
Gray also takes after her mother, Chontel Reynolds, who played for the University of Houston before reaching the WNBA.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Speaking of universities, Taylor’s leading scorer (20.8 ppg in 2023) finally announced where she’ll call home in the foreseeable future, as she signed with Mississippi State in November
“Going on my official visit there gave me a lot of perspective – how I can physically see myself going into that program. I feel like I have a real connection with Coach (Sam) Purcell and his staff, and I think they can help guide me towards my goal of joining the WNBA one day."
Her imminent collegiate career aside, Gray will soon embark on the final stretch of her time with the Lions.
Coach Brandy Jones’ squad went 20-15 last winter, which included an appearance in the Area Round of the postseason.
Now that they move into a new district (20-6A), what’s it going to take for Gray and company to reach that next step?
“I think it’s going to relate to our confidence and trust,” she said. “We need to be able to trust in each other in order to go far. Consistency will come through the work we put in at practice, for when we actually get going in the season.
“Our schedule is going to be a little harder this year. So, we’re going to match up against some good competition, which is definitely going to have us ready for the playoffs.”
Given her reputation and unquestionable talent, fans might very well see Gray on a professional court one day.
As a team, Taylor has the depth to make a considerable run into 2025, when the season heats up in December.
Although, regardless of what may come, she’s already solidified her standing as an all-time great to emerge from Alief ISD.