GAMES
RANKINGS
Running With CJ: Second Baptist School junior finishes 8th in TAPPS State XC Meet
HOUSTON – Making the move from Florida to Texas this summer was a transition for CJ Hobbs '23.
The junior, who previously attended The King's Academy in Florida, made the move to the Second Baptist School where his father Dr. Chris Hobbs would serve as the school's Director of Institutional Advancement.
Once here, CJ started training for his junior season on the cross country course. New school means new experiences, and for CJ, it was an opportunity to step into more of a leadership role as an upperclassman.
"It's been a change of pace," said CJ, "but a good experience to adapt to being a leader on the team."
"I've had to focus on being calm going into races, hoping to inspire my teammates," CJ continued. With his experience from his former school, he takes competition seriously and demonstrates what it takes to train and compete at a high level for SBS.
On the course, CJ found success throughout the entire fall season. On October 2, he finished first at the Faith West Hills Meet. On October 16, it was another first-place finish for CJ at the West Lake Meet and finally, on October 21, a district championship.
With three-straight top finishes heading into the TAPPS Cross Country State Meet, CJ was rolling. On Monday, in the TAPPS 5A State Meet, CJ placed eighth overall with a time of 17:36.90.
"Definitely my goal going into the season was to place in the top 10 in the state," CJ said. Despite rigorous course conditions, CJ worked hard to maintain pace to stay in the front.
CJ added, "It's great for the resume to finish all-state for TAPPS, especially in 5A." Without a doubt, placing in the top ten out of 200 runners in the state bodes well for a future collegiate career. Furthermore, CJ wants to be an athletic trainer or coach himself one day.
Varsity Men's XC: FINAL
Great showing for our #SBSeagles at the @TappsXCountry STATE MEET!
CJ Hobbs finished 8th out of 200 runners, Leighton Chapman - Top 50, Schuyler Clark - Top 80. pic.twitter.com/Ga83ggSMMf
— SecondBaptistSchoolAthletics (@SBS_Athletics) November 1, 2021
As CJ looks back on his first season of running in the Lone Star State, there were some lessons he will carry forever.
"My biggest takeaway from the season would be adapting to a new school and new training program," he said.
What does he enjoy the most about Second Baptist School?
"What I enjoy most about SBS is the availability of the teachers. They are always there to help and support you with whatever you need," CJ said.
Athletic Director Mike Walker welcomes CJ to SBS and shares about the fall season for cross country. "I am proud of our SBS cross country team and all they overcame this year to put forth a successful season. Two brand new coaches in Daniel Scoggins and Margarett Hoffman, and with CJ Hobbs also being new, there were some big adjustments for our athletes this year."
Walker concludes, "CJ was our top finisher on the men's side all season long and Sophomore, Lauren Baker, also had several top 5 finishes this season. We are proud of all of our fall athletes finishing strong for the Eagles."
Second Baptist School Magazine: Fall Wrap
Eagles Make State Semis For 3rd Straight Season
FINISHING IN THE SEMIFINALS, IT WAS YET ANOTHER STELLAR SEASON FOR THE EAGLES AS THEY CONTINUE TO BUILD A POWERHOUSE PROGRAM UNDER COACH TERRY PIRTLE. SECOND BAPTIST SCHOOL WON ITS EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP, GOING UNDEFEATED IN DOING SO, AND OUTSCORED ITS PLAYOFF OPPONENTS 91-14 BEFORE THE SEMIFINAL GAME.
SBS returned to the TAPPS Division II football semifinals for the third straight season, but fell to Regents School of Austin, 38-14. It is a budding rivalry between the two programs as they have battled in the state semifinal each of the last three years.
The Eagles graduate some gridiron stalwarts in all-state lineman Bryce Ganious, quarterback Finn Nicholson and lineman Bryce Calloway. Ganious was dominant, being chosen as an all-state, first-team defensive lineman and second-team offensive lineman. He is signed to Villanova. Nicholson was a team captain and second-team, all-district pick, and signed to Colorado School of Mines. Calloway was a second-team, all-state defensive lineman and will play baseball at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
The good news is, there is plenty of talent coming back next season.
Junior running back Eli Smith was a first-team, all-state selection and had 120 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles' 49-14 state quarterfinal win over Austin St. Michael's. Junior running back/defensive back Everett Skillern was a first-team, all-state defensive selection, and second-team, all-state offensive pick.
Second Baptist School also has a pair of talented linebackers returning in all-state honorable mention picks Karsten Chambers and Hank Huthnance, who were sophomores last season.
ALL-DISTRICT OFFENSE FIRST TEAM
Bryce Ganious, OL '21
Bryce Calloway, OL '21
Ellis Conklin, OL '21
Eli Smith, RB '22
Everett Skillern, RB '22
Grayson Kim, WR '22
Hank Harris, TE '22
SECOND TEAM
Reid Cordell, OL '22
Finn Nicholson, QB '21
Karsten Chambers, WR '23
HONORABLE MENTION
Colin Hedges, OL '22
Charley Schwinger, K '23
ALL-DISTRICT DEFENSE FIRST TEAM
Bryce Ganious, DL '21
Bryce Calloway, DL '21
Daniel Conklin, DT '21
Kyle Kollmorgen, LB '23
Karsten Chambers, LB '23
Everett Skillern, DB '22
Hank Huthnance, DB '22
SECOND TEAM
Colin Hedges, DL '22
ALL-STATE OFFENSE FIRST TEAM
Eli Smith, RB '22
SECOND TEAM
Bryce Ganious, OL '21
Everett Skillern, RB '22
HONORABLE MENTION
Bryce Calloway, OL '21
Grayson Kim, WR '22
Hank Harris, TE '22
ALL-STATE DEFENSE FIRST TEAM
Bryce Ganious, DL '21
Everett Skillern, DB '22
SECOND TEAM
Bryce Calloway, DL '21
HONORABLE MENTION
Ellis Conklin, DL '21
Kyle Kollmorgen, LB '23
Karsten Chambers, LB '23
Hank Huthnance, DB '22
SECOND BAPTIST SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL HAS BRIGHT FUTURE
THE 2020 VOLLEYBALL SEASON CERTAINLY HAD ITS UPS AND DOWNS FOR SECOND BAPTIST SCHOOL, AS THE EAGLES FINISHED 2-8, BUT IT WAS NOT WITHOUT ITS HIGHLIGHTS.
"We played a district-only schedule," coach Sue Berg said. "Our district was very strong this year."
Berg commended the effort of her players for never giving up and maintaining a positive attitude throughout the season. The Eagles competed hard every game and were an enjoyable team for Berg to coach.
Since the Eagles were a relatively young team, they will return four of their five best players from the 2020 season. Coach Berg played just two seniors, eight juniors, one sophomore, and four freshmen in 2020.
Second Baptist School named three players to the all-district second team in freshman Morgan Warren, and juniors Alexis Gill and Julia Sauvageau. Junior Luella Bakker-Barrink and senior Bailey Ireland were all-district honorable mention picks.
Warren led the team in hitting percentage with .333. Bakker-Barrink led the team in kills. Sauvageau led the team in aces with 1.3 per set and in digs with 1.4 per set. Gill averaged 9.6 assists per set.
"We will have a strong group for next year," Berg said. "We are looking forward to playing a full schedule next fall and improving.
SBS CROSS COUNTRY SEES SUCCESS
THE SECOND BAPTIST SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY TEAM ENJOYED A 2020 SEASON OF MANY PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND TOP 10 MEDALS.
The Eagles were led by freshman Lauren Baker, who placed second in the TAPPS 5A women's 3200-meter race. She was also the district champion for TAPPS 5A.
Senior Victoria Smith reached her personal-best time at the district meet, a fulfilling accomplishment for the veteran.
"She finally accomplished the time she always wanted through her cross country career," coach Roxanne Worley said.
The Eagles had many runners medal at various meets.
At the SBS Fighting Eagles meet, five Eagle men medaled, and four Eagle women medaled. At the St. Thomas Episcopal Invitational, five Eagle men medaled, and five Eagle women medaled. At the Cypress Christian Warrior Invitational, two Eagle men medaled. At The Woodlands Christian district meet, three Eagle men medaled, and two Eagle women medaled.