GAMES
RANKINGS
FBCA's Bayleigh Minor
THE TIME IS NOW: Top teams and contenders competing in the TAPPS Regional Meet
With the likes of Fort Bend Christian Academy, Rosehill Christian, Concordia Lutheran, TWCA, Cypress Christian, Second Baptist, Lutheran South Academy, St. Thomas, and St. John XXIII well within the mix of the upcoming events, the time to show up is now.
Check out some of the headlines and athletes that need to be on everyone's radar with a trip to TAPPS State on the line.
...
FBCA in hot pursuit of yet another TAPPS State Title
Some of the stars of 2023-24 FBCA Girls Track & Field
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
It's no secret that Fort Bend Christian Academy has become the gold-standard of private school track & field in recent memory.
Under the direction of coach Deon Minor, the Eagles claimed their second-straight TAPPS championship on the girls' side in 2023, with the boys also taking home gold.
Now, it doesn't appear that anything stands to change.
Following an exemplary showing at the the TAPPS-5A District 5 Meet, which saw them win nearly every event, FBCA looks to maintain their hot-streak at Regionals.
The Eagles continue to be propelled by the likes of well-known super-stars such as Bayleigh Minor, Brooke Perry, Max Granville, Kristen Shell, Tyrone "TJ" Smith, Naomi Jones, Luke Cummings, Kennesha Nabors, Charles Malloy, Gabbie Washington, and Ivan Jimmy-Ducksworth, among others.
Don't be surprised if Fort Bend Christian makes it a three-peat come May.
FBCA's Max Granville
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Rosehill Christian on the path towards Title reclamation
2023-24 Rosehill Christian School Girls Track & Field
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Rosehill Christian was a mere seven points behind first place in last year's TAPPS-3A State Meet, and that memory certainly has this team fired up for this Spring, considering they are typically perennial favorites.
Had it not been for an early injury to star Mercy Freeman, the Eagles would, in all likelihood, have become repeat champions in 2023.
However, Freeman is back in the fold and alongside the likes of fellow key contributors -- namely Kaleigh Frazier (Kansas-signee), Kaydence Frazier, Lily Fisher, Xia Tabanou, Thea Buntrock, and Briley Potts -- this should be the season where coach David Saye and company take back the title.
Don't sleep on the boys, either.
RCS finished in the top-5 of last year's state meet and they bring the talents of Jonathan Whitmire, Luke Smith, Blake Rippy, and Graham Freeman with them this year.
After their exemplary performance in the recent Concordia Lutheran Crusader Relays, Rosehill Christian is in prime position to reclaim their championship-status.
2023-24 Rosehill Christian School Boys Track & Field
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Cypress Christian T&F is back at it!
The stars of 2023-24 Cypress Christian Girls Track & Field
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Cypress Christian has surged in recent years to become one of the most successful private school programs in the state, which is clearly evidenced by their three-consecutive TAPPS championships on the girls' side.
Similarly, the boys' program has won it all twice in the last three seasons, which bodes well for the group moving forward.
In his first year as head coach for the track team, Ben Dixon has certainly inherited plenty of talent to work with, and has had no trouble in optimizing it.
Said talent for the Warriors includes Sophia Swanton, Parker Hirth, Mariana Van Dyk, Owen Witschonke, Nicole Santos, John Kelly, Skylar Davis, and Andrew Owen, who each excelled in the various events of the Concordia Lutheran Crusader Relays earlier this month.
Several of the athletes on this team already have three championship rings. Who's to say they won't go four-for-four?
2023-24 Cypress Christian Boys Track & Field
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
ATHLETES TO WATCH: Sarah Chappelle -- The Woodlands Christian Academy
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES IN RECENT MEETS
Max Granville, FBCA -- 1st in 110m Hurdles (15.48 s), 1st in 300m Hurdles (39.54 s), 1st in High Jump (6-02.00) at District
Sarah Chappelle, TWCA -- 1st in 100m Hurdles (14.75 s), 1st in 300m Hurdles (45.22 s) at District
Bayleigh Minor, FCBA -- 1st in 200m Dash (24.71 s), 1st in 400m Dash (55.44 s), 1st in Long Jump (17-11.25), 1st in Triple Jump (36-02.25) at District
Kaleigh Frazier, Rosehill Christian -- 1st in 100m Dash (12.53 s), 1st in High Jump (5-02.00), 1st in 4x200m Relays (1:44.54) at CLCR
Hudson McCulley, Second Baptist -- 1st in 100m Dash (11.01 s) at District, 1st in 200m Dash (22.32 s) at CLCR
Parker Hirth, Cypress Christian -- 1st in 110m Hurdles (16.76 s), 1st in 300m Hurdles (42.84 s) at CLCR
Edward Bocock, St. Thomas -- 1st in 110m Hurdles (14.96 s), 1st in 300m Hurdles (40.80 s) at the Cooper Dragon Invitational
Cara Shirley, Concordia Lutheran -- 1st in 1600m (5:53.06), 2nd in 3200m (13:00.86) at CLCR
Ben Hughes, Lutheran South Academy -- 1st in Triple Jump (42-02.75), 2nd in Long Jump (21-06.00) at District
FBCA Girls Relay Team -- 1st in 4x100m (49.36 s), 1st in 4x200m (1:45.14), 1st in 4x400m (3:55.86) at District
FBCA Boys Relay Team -- 1st in 4x100m (42.81 s), 1st in 4x200m (1:28.42 s), 3rd in 4x400m (3:32.25) at District
Sophia Swanton, Cypress Christian -- 1st in 200m Dash (26.62 s), 1st in Pole Vault (10-00.00), 2nd in 100m Dash (12.95 s) at CLCR
Avery Eaves, Concordia Lutheran -- 1st in 400m Dash (52.23 s) at CLCR
Mercy Freeman, Rosehill Christian -- 1st in Long Jump (18-04.00), 1st in 4x200m Relays (1:44.54), 2nd in Triple Jump (34-08.50) at CLCR
Zoe Calimani, TWCA -- 2nd in 800m (2:20.63), 3rd in 400m Dash (58.11 s) at District
Mariana Van Dyk, Cypress Christian -- 1st in Discus (126-05.25), 1st in Shot Put (35-10.00) at CLCR
Sophia Bellard, St. Agnes Academy -- 1st in High Jump (5-03.00), 1st in Long Jump (16-09.25) at Cooper Dragon Invitational
Annabelle Lanik, St. John XXIII -- 2nd in Long Jump (17-10.00), 2nd in Triple Jump (35-03.75), 3rd in 200m Dash (25.40 s) at District
Matthew Gaitan, Lutheran South Academy -- 1st in 800m (1:59.24), 1st in 1600m (4:24.57) at District
Marcus Gaitan, Lutheran South Academy -- 2nd in 800m (1:59.27), 2nd in 400m Dash (49.76 s) at District
Noah Williams, St. Pius X -- 1st in 3200m at Cooper Dragon Invitational
Andrew Owen, Cypress Christian -- 1st in Discus (145-08.25), 1st in Shot Put (47-08.75) at CLCR
Kai Griffe, Concordia Lutheran -- 1st in 100m Dash (11.37 s) at CLCR
St. John XXIII's Elizabeth Roncal
LET'S KICK IT: Who can win TAPPS State Soccer from Houston?
Here is the run-down of the key match-ups of the TAPPS Final Four.
...
St. Pius X Panthers vs. John Paul II Cardinals (Boys)
Preston Kyle of St. Pius X Soccer
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
What a year it has been on the pitch for St. Pius X.
Following a tremendous regular season, which saw the Panthers take second in TAPPS-I District II, SPX carried over that momentum into the postseason, where they currently hold a record of 15-6.
Coach Gerardo Lopez's squad is loaded with talent. From the team's leading goal-scorer Thomas McGowan (30 goals), to senior midfielder Preston Kyle (13 assists), and the young man in goal Diego Guandique (13 saves), it has become clear that St. Pius is a force worth reckoning.
After defeating Nolan Catholic in a 1-0 nail-biter last week, the Panthers now look to face off against Plano's John Paul II on Thursday.
The Cardinals (15-1-3) are coming off a 1-0 victory of their own, against Antonian College Prep.
Coach Fred Kaiser's group has plenty of depth in their own right, anchored by the experience of senior Collin McCormick.
The winner of this pivotal exhibition will advance to Friday's Final, and could very likely be crowned the TAPPS-I champion.
St. John XXIII Lions vs. Grace Community Cougars (Girls)
2023-24 St. John XXIII Girls Soccer
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Coach Zayne Ramirez and company return to the TAPPS-II State Tourney, on the heels of defeating St. Anthony Catholic (3-0), Emery/Weiner (1-0), and most recently Fort Bend Christian (6-0).
Those score-lines are indicative of the stifling defense that St. John XXIII employs, which is anchored by senior team-captain Liz Roncal, who is coming off a 2023 TAPPS first-team, all-state nod.
Additionally, the Lions are highlighted by the performances of fellow all-state honorees -- Ana Caldentey (Jr. MF) and Andrea Morales (Sr. F) -- as they prepare to take on Grace Community School in Wednesday's State Final.
The Cougars are somewhat of surprise team this Winter, given the considerable youth they have on the roster, however that hasn't stopped them from defying expectations through each round of the postseason.
Coach Chris Hemphill's roster features the talents of Ellie Durham, Addison Eli, Julia Feliciano, and senior goalie Jena Stoermer, as they are coming a crucial 3-2 victory over Regents.
The TAPPS-II Title is on the line. This is a matchup you won't want to miss.
British International Bulldogs vs. St. Thomas Episcopal Saints (Boys)
2023-24 British International School of Houston Soccer
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
British International School has had yet another exemplary showing this Winter, under the direction of coach Klaus Schoelman.
Following key wins versus Geneva School (4-0) and Cypress Christian (1-0) through the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Bulldogs now have the opportunity to advance to the TAPPS-III Final, when they face St. Thomas Episcopal on Thursday.
Some of the BISH players to watch include 2023 TAPPS All-State honorees, Felix Gonzalez and Mateo Oliveira.
On the STE-side, the Saints are coming off victories against Incarnate Word Academy (4-0), Brazos Christian (4-0), and most recently John Paul II Catholic (4-2), as they enter the state tournament.
Coach Wilberth Araujo will look to the veterans -- such as all-district selections Hunter Puryear and Joshua Eysseric -- of his young squad to propel St. Thomas Episcopal forward, with a trip to Friday's state final on the line.
