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Santa Fe's Sidne Peters
THE PLAYMAKERS: Ballers, Aces and Fresh Faces powered by UTMB Health
Lauren Ferguson, Lutheran South Academy Swim
LSA's Lauren Ferguson
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Lutheran South Academy swim returned to the TAPPS State Finals once again, marking their fourth-consecutive appearance. In the 2022-23 campaign, the girls’ side made tremendous strides to become contenders, leading to their appearance in the State Meet. This was due to the meteoric rise of sophomore Lauren Ferguson. As the younger sister of former LSA swim star, Chase Ferguson, she is establishing herself as the future of Lady Pioneers swim. She was exceptional in the State Finals, earning silver in the 500yd Freestyle (5:29.17), and placing fourth in the 200yd Freestyle (2:02.48). With two more years to go, the sky is the limit for Ferguson.
Joshua Moore, Clear Falls Basketball
Clear Falls' Joshua Moore
Jamie Wright (VYPE)
The Knights have been on a tear this Winter season. After going 24-7 in the regular season to clinch a district title (10-2), Clear Falls is in the process of making school history by advancing to the UIL Regional Semifinals. Senior guard Joshua Moore (10 PPG, 3 APG, 2 SPG), along with fellow senior Orlando Horton Jr., has been dynamic on the hardwood. With the State Tournament quickly approaching, CFHS will look to the dual-threat Moore to help guide the Knights to the promised land.
Sidne Peters, Santa Fe Softball
Santa Fe's Sidne Peters
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
Indians softball is fueled by the arm of senior RHP Sidne Peters. The two-time District 22-5A MVP was invaluable for Santa Fe in 2022, throwing for a ridiculous 0.80 ERA with a 23-5 record that featured 290 strikeouts. Furthermore, she maintained a .406 batting average, with 43 RBIs and 10 home runs. After falling to UIL 5A State Champ Lake Creek in the ‘22 Regional Finals, the University of Washington-signee will aim to change the narrative in her swan-song season at Santa Fe.
Janelle Wilson, Friendswood Softball
Friendswood's Janelle Wilson
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
After reaching the Regional Semifinals for the first time in sixteen years, Friendswood softball shows no signs of slowing down. The Mustangs’ roster is loaded from top to bottom, including a trusty bullpen that is led by the first-team, all-district selection Janelle Wilson. Fresh off the heels of a 2022 Spring season that saw the UNC-signee pitch for a 1.26 ERA (129 Ks), and bat for a .345 average with 26 RBIs, Wilson will be depended on to help usher Friendswood back to the playoffs as their ace on the mound.
David Ramirez, Clear Falls Baseball
Clear Falls' David Ramirez
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
Clear Falls returns to the diamond this Spring with aspirations to build upon their 2022 momentum that featured a trip to the Area Round of the UIL postseason. Sophomore LHP David Ramirez emerges as one of the stars of the Knights’ bullpen. With the experience he’s already gained with the Texas Senators, Ramirez is already committed to the University of Texas, and will seek to add to his growing list of accomplishments. He looks to push the Knights to vie for district supremacy against rival Clear Creek and beyond.
Senior 3B Rowdy Sowers' 2021 TAPPS State Championship ring
TAKE IT BACK: LSA seniors drive to regain TAPPS supremacy
This season, they are the “hunters".
With a new group of players -- led by seniors Rowdy Sowers and Blaine Birkelbach -- LSA will aim to flip the script.
LSA's Rowdy Sowers
“We’re used to always having a target on our backs,” said Sowers. “It’s kind of different this year with us having to chase somebody. At the same time, it’s the same standards we’ve always had in the past. We know what we need to do to get back on top.”
Considering he’s a senior, Sowers will be expected to set the tempo for the young LSA team, which features several talented underclassmen, including two University of Texas commits -- Marcus Cantu and Victor Coronado.
“In the past, our seniors have really established a great culture and that’s something that we seniors want to do for this group,” Sowers said. “I hope to keep building on that culture, not just in baseball, but helping these underclassmen to be better people, better men and better followers of Christ.”
Birkelbach will also be making his senior debut this Spring. After transferring from Pearland, Birkelbach’s junior season saw him have a breakout year for the Pioneers, leading to him earning first-team, all-district/all-state honors in 2022. The change of pace at LSA has allowed him to become a key player on this championship-caliber team.
LSA's Blaine Birkelbach
“I’ve definitely noticed a different culture here [LSA], especially with the coaching and the bonds between the players, ” said Birkelbach. “Everybody just knows everybody here, so it’s been a fun journey with the tight-knit community that exists at LSA. You play a game one night, then you come back and everybody is picking you up, saying ‘good job’ or ‘tough loss’. They’re all just there to kind of pat you on the back, which I love.”
Birkelbach will be playing baseball at Alvin Community College following this final season.
“I hope to carry over the grit and the work ethic,” he said. “I’ve always been one to never stop working, regardless of my ups and downs. One thing that I’ve learned here that’s helped me out a lot, is that ‘it’s not all about you’. Every success and failure is owned by you and your brothers, your teammates and your coaches. No matter what, that ability to thrive, as a team is irreplaceable.”
The TAPPS baseball regular season is finally underway. It will only be a matter of months before LSA has the potential to carry out its goal of taking back the title.