North Shore overcomes Katy in playoff thriller

North Shore will face Atascocita in the Region III final on Dec. 7. 
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
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Story by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 29, 2024) The North Shore Mustangs proved their strength in a 42-28 victory over the Katy Tigers during the Class 6A Division I Region III semifinals at NRG Stadium. While the game wasn’t perfect for North Shore, their resilience and star power made the difference.

The Mustangs (13-0) faced challenges, including penalties and turnovers, but quarterback Kaleb Bailey’s 300 passing yards and five touchdowns fueled the win. Wide receiver Quanell X Farrakhan Jr. electrified the game with big punt returns and a 51-yard touchdown catch before halftime. Running back D’Andre Hardeman Jr. added over 100 rushing yards, while cornerback Devin Sanchez led the defense, forcing two key turnovers.

North Shore’s 80th playoff win secured their 10th straight regional championship appearance. 

Next, North Shore will face Atascocita on Dec. 7 at Thorne Stadium in a battle of district rivals. The Mustangs have dominated this matchup, winning the last nine meetings.

HCU falls to Northern Arizona in a heartbreaker, 74-71

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 27, 2024)  The Houston Christian University Huskies started strong but couldn’t hold off a second-half comeback by Northern Arizona University (NAU), losing 74-71 on Thanksgiving Eve at Sharp Gymnasium. The Huskies led by two with less than two minutes left, but NAU’s Trenton McLaughlin hit a game-winning three-pointer with two seconds remaining.

HCU came out firing, building a 24-8 lead midway through the first half, thanks to a 15-point burst by Elijah Brooks. Julian Mackey joined in, helping the Huskies stretch their lead to 40-23 at halftime. HCU shot 60% in the first half while holding NAU to just 33%.

The second half, however, belonged to the Lumberjacks. A 17-2 run cut HCU’s lead to 57-53 with 10 minutes left. NAU’s hot shooting continued, and they tied the game late. Mackey’s jumper briefly gave HCU the lead, but McLaughlin’s step-back three sealed the win for NAU.

Despite the loss, Brooks and Mackey had career nights, combining for 57 points. Brooks scored 29 on 13-17 shooting, while Mackey added 28 with eight rebounds.

HCU falls to 2-5 after their third straight close loss. The Huskies will look to bounce back Saturday against UTSA in San Antonio, with tip-off set for 3 p.m.

HCU Huskies fall to Tarleton State despite big night from Tullis

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
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HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 26, 2024)  The HCU women's basketball team fought hard but couldn’t hold off a late Tarleton State comeback, dropping a 48-42 decision at Sharp Gymnasium on Tuesday night.

The Huskies (1-4) started strong, holding Tarleton State (3-3) scoreless for most of the first quarter to lead 9-4. The Texans turned the game around with an 11-0 run early in the second, including two three-pointers by Miannah Little. HCU answered with baskets from Tiffany Tullis, Erin Maguire, and Jo Oly, regaining the lead before Tarleton edged ahead 23-21 at halftime.

HCU came out firing in the third quarter, with Kierra Prim scoring six points during a nine-point run. The Huskies led 36-29 heading into the fourth. But Tarleton surged back, scoring seven straight points and holding HCU without a basket for over four minutes.

Despite Tullis’ layup and Oly’s clutch basket in the final minute, the Huskies couldn’t convert their late chances. Tarleton sealed the win with free throws.

Tullis had a standout night, finishing with 10 points and a career-high 20 rebounds, the most by an HCU player since 2016. Oly also posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Huskies dominated the boards, 40-30, but were hurt by 23 turnovers. HCU will look to bounce back Sunday when they host Southwestern at 3 p.m. in Sharp Gym.

HCU Huskies come up short against Eastern Michigan

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
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HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 25, 2024) The Houston Christian University Huskies men's basketball team came close to an incredible comeback but fell just short, losing 74-73 to Eastern Michigan University on Monday night at Sharp Gym.

Down by 16 points with less than nine minutes left, the Huskies caught fire. D’Aundre Samuels led the charge, hitting four three-pointers in four minutes, pulling HCU back into the game. Elijah Brooks gave the Huskies their first lead since the first half with a fast break layup and a free throw, putting them up 68-67 with two minutes left.

But EMU didn’t back down. Da’Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry helped the Eagles regain control, with Terry’s two free throws proving to be the game-winners. HCU had a chance in the final seconds, but Julian Mackey’s last-second three-pointer missed, sealing the Huskies’ fate.

HCU shot an impressive 51% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc. Brooks led the Huskies with 17 points, while Samuels added a season-high 15. Bryson Dawkins and Mackey chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.

EMU, now 4-2, was led by Nelson’s 19 points and Terry’s 18. The Eagles shot 57% overall, and their free throws made the difference.

The Huskies, now 2-4, wrap up their homestand on Wednesday night against Northern Arizona University at 7 p.m. at Sharp Gym.

HCU dominates Northwestern State to end season with a big win

Story and photos by Robert H Kelly

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HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 23, 2024) The HCU Huskies finished their 2024 football season in style, beating Northwestern State Demons 62-24 on "Senior Day" at Husky Stadium. The Huskies put on a show with over 600 yards of offense, making it a game to remember for their fans.

The game started with a big play by the HCU defense. They stopped the Demons on fourth down and got the ball at the Demons’ 43-yard line. That led to a 23-yard field goal by Dillon Fedor to give HCU an early 3-0 lead. After that, the Huskies couldn’t be stopped.

Quarterback Cutter Stewart connected with AJ Wilson for a 32-yard touchdown, while Calvin Hill added a two-yard rushing score, and Darryle Evans broke free for a 47-yard touchdown run. Just like that, HCU was up 24-7 early in the second quarter.

Northwestern State tried to fight back. Quarterback JT Fayard found Zay Davis for a nine-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Huskies’ lead to 24-14 before halftime. HCU had a chance to score again, but an interception by the Demons ended the drive.

After the break, HCU came out strong. On their first drive of the third quarter, Hill broke free for a 25-yard touchdown, capping a quick 79-yard drive. D.J. Harris then picked off a pass from the Demons and returned it to the 15-yard line. Stewart took advantage, hitting Deuce McMillan for an 11-yard touchdown. The Huskies led 38-14 just three minutes into the second half.

HCU’s dominance continued. After forcing a quick three-and-out, Champ Dozier ran in a three-yard touchdown to push the lead to 45-14. Northwestern State’s Myles Kitt-Denton responded with an 87-yard kickoff return, but the Demons could only manage a field goal. On the next kickoff, Jesse Valenzuela returned the ball 98 yards for a touchdown, putting HCU up 52-17.

In the fourth quarter, Stewart found Ismael Fuller for a 36-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 59-17. The Demons scored one last time early in the quarter, but HCU sealed the win with a long, time-eating drive that ended with a 27-yard field goal by Fedor.

HCU’s 617 total yards of offense was the fourth-highest in school history, and their 332 rushing yards ranked third. Calvin Hill led the ground game with 109 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Wilson had another big game, catching three passes for 123 yards and a touchdown, marking his fourth straight 100-yard game. Stewart finished with 296 passing yards and three touchdowns.

The Huskies’ defense was just as impressive, holding Northwestern State to only 211 yards and 10 first downs. Harris had nine tackles and his first career interception, while Joe Cadette added six tackles, a sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss.

With the win, HCU finished the season 5-7 overall and 3-4 in the Southland Conference. Northwestern State ended their season winless at 0-12.

HCU fans have a lot to be excited about as the team looks to carry this momentum into next year.

HCU Huskies pull away late to defeat Rockford, 84-64

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly

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HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 16, 2024)
The Houston Christian University Huskies opened their four-game homestand with a strong 84-64 win over Rockford University on Saturday night at Sharp Gym. The Huskies finished the game on a dominant run, holding the Regents to just 14 points in the final 11 minutes.

HCU jumped out to an early 15-6 lead, highlighted by a three-pointer from Julian Mackey. Rockford responded with a 9-2 run, cutting the lead to 17-15 before the Huskies pushed back. A dunk from Elijah Brooks and a three-pointer by Peyton Rogers helped the Huskies head into halftime with a 44-36 lead.

The Regents fought hard after the break, pulling within three points at 48-45. Rockford stayed close until HCU took control midway through the second half. A 12-4 run sparked by a Porter Bazil three-pointer and seven points from Brooks stretched the lead to double digits. A crowd-pleasing alley-oop from Brooks to Bryson Dawkins sealed the game in the final minutes.

Brooks led all scorers with 21 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Dawkins tied his career-high with 18 points and five rebounds. Rogers added 13 points, including three three-pointers.

The win evened HCU’s record at 2-2. They will look to build momentum when they face cross-town rival Rice University next Friday at 7 p.m. in Sharp Gym.

HCU Huskies win season opener with new head coach Craig Doty

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loco Photography
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By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 4, 2024) Houston Christian University started its basketball season strong with a big 86-59 win over the Avila (MO) Eagles at Sharp Gymnasium on Monday night. This win also marked a successful debut for HCU’s new head coach, Craig Doty, the ninth head coach in school history, who took over after Coach Ron Cottrell’s 33 years at the helm.

The game didn’t start off smoothly for the Huskies, as they had a slow opening, but they quickly turned things around. Trent Johnson got the scoring started with a three-pointer just 10 seconds in, and soon after, Bryson Dawkins added a driving layup. Midway through the first half, though, Avila closed the gap to just one point, making it 13-12.

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loco Photography
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

The Huskies then found their groove, sparked by plays from Ivan Reynolds and Julian Mackey. A 24-8 run helped HCU finish the half with a comfortable 37-20 lead. They carried that momentum into the second half, extending their lead with strong performances from Dawkins, who scored eight points in two minutes, and Demari Williams (shown above), who added two back-to-back dunks.

HCU’s defense held Avila to just 39.3% shooting, and their offense fired with contributions from players across the roster. Dawkins led with 18 points, while Williams and Mackey chipped in with 11 each, and Bazil added 10. Overall, four Huskies scored in double figures, showcasing the team’s balanced approach.

With a 1-0 record, the Huskies now prepare for a challenging road trip. They will face No. 19 Texas in Austin on Friday and then travel to play No. 15 Creighton next Wednesday. HCU will be back at home on November 16 to host Rockford University.

Houston Dynamo FC season ends in heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Seattle Sounders FC

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 3, 2024) Houston Dynamo FC’s season came to a dramatic close at Shell Energy Stadium after a tough penalty shootout loss to Seattle Sounders FC. After 120 intense minutes of regulation and extra time, the game was tied 1-1. But in the penalty shootout, Seattle edged out Houston 7-6, ending the Dynamo’s 2024 playoff run in Game 2 of the Round One Best-of-3 series of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

The match was full of emotion and high-stakes moments. In the final minutes of regulation, Seattle’s Cristian Roldan put the Sounders on top, scoring in the 87th minute to break a scoreless tie. Houston responded quickly, however, forcing an own goal from Seattle in stoppage time. Defender Griffin Dorsey sent a pass into the box that ended up in the back of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and keeping the Dynamo’s hopes alive.

The penalty shootout that followed was tense, with each team converting their attempts until Houston’s seventh shot. Dynamo defender Tate Schmitt stepped up, but Seattle’s goalkeeper Stefan Frei made a crucial save, diving to his right and blocking the shot with his legs. That save clinched the series for Seattle and ended the Dynamo’s hopes for a deeper playoff run.

Houston showed plenty of resilience throughout the game, even after playing with only 10 men for the final 25 minutes. For the second match in a row, a Dynamo player received a red card, forcing the team to finish shorthanded. In this game, captain Héctor Herrera was sent off after a review from the video assistant referee (VAR) found him guilty of unsporting behavior. In Game 1, it was midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla who received a red card, keeping him out of Game 2. Despite this challenge, the Dynamo battled hard to keep the game close.

Houston’s playoff journey this season comes as part of a strong campaign. The team earned the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference with a record of 15 wins, 10 losses, and 9 draws, setting club records for both road wins (8) and points in a season (54). This was the second year in a row that the Dynamo made it to the playoffs, a back-to-back feat they hadn’t achieved since 2013.

There were several close chances for Houston to score in regulation. In the first half, Herrera connected with defender Erik Sviatchenko, whose header was on target. Forward Ezequiel Ponce nearly scored twice, with one shot cleared off the line by Seattle’s defense and another saved by Frei. Herrera himself took a shot from outside the box in the 58th minute, which forced Frei to make another save. Forward Aliyu Ibrahim also tested the Seattle goalkeeper, adding to the pressure.

Goalkeeper Steve Clark, making his 20th postseason appearance, played a big role for the Dynamo as well. His experience kept Houston in the game, and he made several key stops to give his team a chance.

In the end, Houston’s season ends in disappointment, but fans can be proud of the team’s fight and determination. As they look to the future, the Dynamo can build on this season’s achievements and look forward to more playoff runs in the years to come.

Houston Dash fall to Bay FC in season finale

Source: Houston Dash

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 2, 2024) The Houston Dash wrapped up their season with a hard-fought 3-2 loss to Bay FC at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday night. An impressive crowd of 8,176 fans turned out for Fan Appreciation Night, making it the second-largest attendance of the season. Even though they didn’t get the win, the Dash made it a memorable night with key performances from Barbara Olivieri and rookie Avery Patterson (shown above).

The game got off to a challenging start for Houston, as Bay FC took the lead in the 10th minute with an own goal. However, local standout Barbara Olivieri quickly leveled the score just four minutes later, netting her fourth goal of the season. Olivieri has now scored in three straight games, showing her skill in front of goal.

In the 46th minute, Avery Patterson made her mark with her first professional goal, tying the game at 2-2. Unfortunately, Bay FC’s Racheal Kundananji responded just minutes later, scoring the final goal to seal the game.

Dash goalkeeper Heather Hinz, making her first NWSL start, recorded five saves, helping keep her team within reach. Houston came close to equalizing late in the game but couldn’t find the net.

The Dash closed the season with a 5-16-5 record.

Pasadena Eagles advance to UIL State Volleyball Playoffs

Story and photo by Chris Price

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PASADENA, TEXAS (November 1, 2024) Playing in front of load and boisterous crowd, the Pasadena Eagles volleyball team extended their season with a "play-in game" victory against the Crosby Cougars at Bob Barfield Gymnasium in Pasadena. The Lady Eagles downed the Cougars in four sets to avenge their previous meetings this season.

Having faced off three previous times this season. On August 31, Crosby came out top by the score of 2-1 (20-25, 29-27, 13-15) in the Dobie Longhorn Tournament. In district play, the two District 18-5A, foes played each out on September 24 and October 18. In the September match, Pasadena came out on top, 3-2 (24-26, 15-16, 19025, 12-25, 15-10). In their district rematch, the Eagles dropped the five-set match 2-3 (25-12, 10-25, 26-24, 24-26, 13-15).

In the Friday night match, Crosby jumped out to a 1-0 lead, by the score 28-26. The Lady Eagles rebounded from the first set loss, to win the next three (25-22, 25-22, 25-19) to advance to the UIL 5A state playoffs. Last season (2023) they advanced to the 6A playoffs as one of the representatives of District 22-6A.

In securing the fourth-place finish in District 18-5A, they will face the College Station A&M Consolidated Tigers, who is the District 17-5A champion, The Tigers post a 32-10 season record while bring and undefeated record (12-0) into the playoffs. Pasadena finished the regular season with a 21-13 record with a 6-7 record in district play. Both teams will be playing in Division 1 of the 5A playoffs.

The Eagles and Tigers will meet in the first round on Tuesday, November 5 with a 6 p.m. start in Pasadena.