COVID-19 has recently escalated to a global pandemic in a matter of months.
While scientists race to find solutions for the outbreak, countries have gone on lockdown and have banned large gatherings.
Most sports leagues have also followed suit, including the NBA, NCAA, NFL, and MLS. Texas' own University Interscholastic League (UIL) has announced suspension of all activities until at least May 4th, putting a stop to high school sports throughout the state due to growing COVID-19 concerns.
"It hit hard", senior Jose Ortiz said as he reflected on his final season of soccer being cut short.
Jose Ortiz played soccer all four years of high school at Lamar Consolidated. He is upset for himself and the team, but he especially feels for the seniors in other sports such as baseball and softball that will lose most of their season to COVID-19 concerns.
Ortiz added, "I was blessed enough to finish at least most of my last games but [other seniors] did not get the chance to play their last game and they should go through that moment."
Jose Ortiz plays defense in a soccer gamePhoto By Madison Morris
Lamar Consolidated football poses for a photo after advancing to Round 2 of PlayoffsPhoto By Madison Morris
Jose Ortiz was at least able to finish his last high school football season for the Lamar Consolidated Mustangs. Ortiz was the kicker for the Mustangs under Head Coach Rick LaFavers, and the Mustangs advanced to the second round of playoffs where they got eliminated by Manvel.
IT’S RARE FOR A CITY TO HAVE ONE OR TWO NATIONAL GIRLS’ BASKETBALL RECRUITS IN A CLASS.
Well, the Class of 2027 in the city of Houston is special.
The popularity of girls’ basketball has completely skyrocketed. Names like Caitlyn, Angel, A’ja, Breanna, Kelsey and Sabina are mainstream, household brands, who are changing the game as it relates to marketing and how the game is played.
Jemini Mitchell exploded onto the Houston high school scene with a breakout season alongside South Carolina-commit Ayla McDowell. The dynamic duo has the potential to be cutting down the nets inside the Alamodome this March. The 6-foot-3 star can do it all.
Cy Springs' Jemini MitchellBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“I think she’s the most versatile recruit for the Class of 2027 in the country,” Cy Springs coach Taneisha Rogers said. “Her versatility is what sets her apart. She can guard anyone on the court.”
Relatively new to the game is Hightower’s Ogechi Okeke, who is the centerpiece for the Hurricanes’ present and future.
“She hasn’t been playing very long but she is a sponge,” Hightower coach Jasmine Brewer said. “She was starting on varsity as a 14-year- old. Her ability to be coachable and pick up concepts is really impressive. She’s a great teammate and student as well.”
Kinkaid coach Stacey Marshall has the luxury of having three sophomore game- changers on one team... Ma’Ryiah Alfred, Lauren Hull and her daughter Sydney Marshall.
The stars of 2024-25 Kinkaid Girls BasketballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“This is a one of the best all-around classes I’ve ever seen here, and Houston has been a hotspot for recruiting for decades,” she said. “Sydney has an advanced understanding of the game and can really shoot the ball, while Lauren hasn’t even tapped her ceiling. She is an elite defender and can really finish around the rim. Ma’Ryiah is one of those ‘Three and D’ players who is so creative. She will also make the extra pass and has a high motor. Those three are high-level recruits.”
Down south is Pearland, home to A’Zyua Blair and Shiloh Grays, who also had big freshman seasons. They are getting a lot of recruiting attention already.
Pearland's A'Zyua BlairBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“A’Zyua really pushes the pace and will be a great college floor general,” Pearland coach Jere’ Adams said. “She gets her teammates involved and know when her teammates need her to take over. Shiloh is not her sister, RyLee. They are two different players. Shiloh can play inside and out and is a great rebounder. We call her a ‘walking double-double’.”
With a stellar sophomore class in H-Town, the future looks healthy for the Space City. It will be exciting to see how they develop and where they end up at the college level.
Jose Ortiz plays defense in a soccer gamePhoto By Madison Morris
Lamar Consolidated football poses for a photo after advancing to Round 2 of PlayoffsPhoto By Madison Morris
Cy Springs' Jemini MitchellBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The stars of 2024-25 Kinkaid Girls BasketballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Pearland's A'Zyua BlairBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
