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Grand Oaks' Samara Coleman
DREAM TEAM: Coleman ready to take reins of reigning State Champs
Naturally, their stacked roster will likely vie for a repeat this Fall, despite the departure of Jaela Auguste (Florida), Audrey Terry (Sam Houston State) and Caelyn Emmerling (Texas State) over the offseason.
It will now be up to incoming senior Samara Coleman and junior Halle Thompson to lead the new group of title-contenders.
Coleman is coming off a year which saw her earn first-team, all-state honors, as well as being named the District 13-6A Co-Most Valuable Hitter and to the 6A All-Tournament team.
We caught up with the Pittsburgh-commit as she prepares for the final stretch of her high school career.
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VYPE: What’s a quote or saying that you live by?
COLEMAN: “My older brother, Anthony Patrick Coleman (3/13/1988 - 4/11/2024), wrote a motto nine years ago that will still reside in my heart for years to come: ‘Yesterday is the past. Today is brand new. Tomorrow is a mystery, so use your time wisely because it may be few. I know it sounds corny, but it’s true’.”
VYPE: What is your favorite part of the State ring design?
The 2023 State Champs acquire some new jewelry at their Ring Ceremony in MayMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
COLEMAN: “I would have to say it’s ‘#dreamteam’ engraved on the inside of it, because it represents the team aspect that went into our success this past season.”
VYPE: What would be your cheat day food menu?
COLEMAN: “That easy. It would be a plate of orange chicken, lo mein, and white rice from Panda Express.”
VYPE: What’s it like being an older sister to twins?
COLEMAN: “It’s taught me how important teamwork and having someone by your side really is.”
VYPE: Why did you commit to Pittsburgh?
COLEMAN: “I chose Pittsburgh because I knew it was a place where I was going to excel in volleyball and also feel at home. Not to mention the amazing coaches and staff at the school. It’s a dream come true.”
VYPE: How does it feel to have a target on your back this upcoming Fall, after winning a State Title?
COLEMAN: “It can be both exciting and challenging. It shows that others see me as a strong competitor. I’ve just learned to embrace it, stay focused and keep working hard. It's a chance to prove myself again and show everyone why we’re the champs!”
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Tomball Baseball clinches the program's first state championship since 2013
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER: Tomball caps off monumental year with the UIL-6A State Title
The Cougars (40-3) had their eye on bringing the championship back to Tomball, for the first time since 2013, after advancing past SA Johnson (2-0) in the round prior.
Similarly, the Oilers (37-8-2), who made their second-straight appearance in the State Tournament (seventh overall), was on a mission to reclaim their 1980-title status, following their rematch against Flower Mound in Friday’s State Semis, in which they won 2-1.
Following a series of back-and-forth exchanges, however, it would ultimately be Tomball who took gold, with a 4-1 victory over their Houston-area counterpart.
Head Coach Doug Rush greets Pearland HC David Rogers prior to the 6A State FinalMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“It’s all because we have an incredible mix of talent and character in this program,” said head coach Doug Rush. “The kids on this team are unbelievable people and they do the right thing, work incredibly hard, which was seen throughout the playoffs.”
“It’s a six-week grind in the postseason. I’ve had teams that don’t want to practice as hard during this time, but this year’s team was bought in. They had a goal and they achieved it.”
During the heated war of attrition, Tomball’s Karson Reeder proved to be the genuine difference-maker.
The sophomore pitcher contributed the first RBI for the Coogs in the fourth inning (in which they scored all four of their runs), while also stifling Pearland’s elite lineup throughout the whole contest (1 ER, 5 Ks), leading to him being named the UIL-6A State MVP.
Sophomore pitcher Karson Reeder accepts the UIL-6A Most Valuable Player awardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I kind of just did my thing,” Reeder said. “I relaxed in the moment and didn’t overthink it, and did what I normally do. Growing in this organization has been fantastic. Our team-chemistry is phenomenal. Everyone gets along with each other, and it’s just been a blast to be on this team as we made our way to this point.”
Another one of Tomball’s leading figures is, without question, their senior catcher Cade Arrambide.
Through the four years of his exceptional high school career, the soon-to-be LSU Tiger has anchored coach Rush’s program, and he finally got to see all their efforts come to fruition Saturday night.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“Going into this year, we knew that this was going to be a very special team,” said Arrambide. “We knew that we had a chance to do really big things. So, our focus throughout the season was to take everything seriously – giving our best every single day.”
“This is something that I’ve been looking forward to since my freshman year, and we’ve been talking about it for that long. To finally do it in my final season, it’s the best feeling in the world.”
The No. 1 ranked team in the state (MaxPreps) lived up to the hype, in thrilling fashion.
Now, the Tomball community can prepare for the imminent championship parade, as the Coogs carry the team’s second title back home.
