Karnell James takes over St. Thomas High School's basketball program. James has been an assistant for the Eagles and will now put his own stamp on the inner loop school's hoop program.
James sat down with VYPE Chief Content Officer Matt Malatesta about his basketball journey and where the Eagles' program is heading.
The North Shore Mustangs have been the big brand in Greater Houston high school football for more than a decade. But after graduating a massive senior class, there were plenty of questions heading into the 2025 season.
When the Mustangs opened the year with a loss to South Oak Cliff, things got quiet on the #Eastside. Real quiet.
But not for long.
North Shore found its rhythm with wins over Crowley and Westfield, setting the stage for district play. And over the past two weeks, the Mustangs have reminded everyone exactly who runs this city.
They’ve handled business in a big way — taking down Atascocita, 47-28, and then cooling off red-hot CE King, 42-27. Now, a showdown with No. 6 Summer Creek looms large.
Behind QB Kaleb Maryland, WR Jaylen Bocard, and RB Hezekiah Johnson — who’s running behind a massive offensive line — the Mustangs’ offense is rolling. Meanwhile, the defense has rediscovered its bite, propelling North Shore right back into the State Championship conversation.
The message is clear: North Shore never left.
🏆 The North Shore Mustangs are your Whataburger Team of the Week.
The heavyweights poured it on against overmatched opponents at the top of this week’s Power Rankings. With #2 ranked Dripping Springs off in anticipation of their showdown with #3 Westlake, the other seven Top 8 teams, outscored their opponents by a combined margin of 401-81.
Aside from all that thunder and lightning, it took a pair of games decided by a total of five points to shake up the upper bracket. Specifically, Georgetown and Liberty Hill clambered over Weiss as the Wolves dropped a 35-31 contest with College Station. Then Hutto and Vista Ridge flip-flopped after the Hippos’ scintillating 35-34 thriller over the Rangers.
Rouse and Cedar Park also moved up after winning critical games – helped along by #5 Bastrop pounding Pflugerville and creating an opportunity for them to move up.
We’ll have just one more round of Power Rankings next week before our educated guesses give way to playoff action on the field.
VYPE Austin Top 20 Combined Class 4A-6A
*Last parentheses indicates most recent game result
1. (1) Lake Travis Cavaliers (6A) – 9-0 (W 48-0 vs. Akins)
2. (2) Dripping Springs Tigers (6A) -- 8-1 (BYE)
3. (3) Westlake Chaparrals (6A) – 7-2 (W 71-7 @ Del Valle)
4. (4) Anderson Trojans (5A-1) – 9-0 (W 56-22 vs. Lockhart)
5. (5) Bastrop Bears (5A-2) – 9-0 (W 70-6 vs #16 Pflugerville)
6. (6) Vandegrift Vipers (6A) - 7-2 (W 43-0 vs. Westwood)
7. (8) Georgetown Eagles (5A-1) – 8-1 (W 50-40 @ Lake Belton)
8. (9) Liberty Hill (5A-2) – 7-2 (W 63-6 @ Crockett)
9. (7) Weiss Wolves (5A-1) – 7-2 (L 35-31 @ College Station)
10. (11) Hutto Hippos (6A) – 7-2 (W 35-34 @ #10 Vista Ridge)
11. (10) Vista Ridge Rangers (6A) – 6-3 (L 35-34 vs. #11 Hutto)
12. (12) McNeil Mavericks (6A) – 6-3 (W 42-21 vs. Manor)
13. (13) LBJ Austin Jaguars (4A-1) - 7-2 (W 49-14 @ Taylor)
14. (14) Round Rock (6A) – 5-4 (W 66-38 @ Stony Point)
15. (15) Bowie Bulldogs (6A) – 6-4 (W 34-7 vs. Austin High)
16. (18) Cedar Park Timberwolves (5A-1) – 6-3 (W 46-7 vs. Leander)
17. (17) East View Patriots (5A-1) 6-3 (L 24-21 vs. #20 Rouse)
18. (16) Pflugerville (5A-1) – 7-3 (L 70-6 @ #5 Bastrop)
19. (20) Rouse Raiders (5A-2) – 5-4 (W 24-21 @ #17 East View)
20. (19) Cedar Ridge Raiders (6A) – 4-5 (BYE)Join the #VYPETEAM
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