The Woodlands High School girls win 2023 6A swimming and diving state title

Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 18, 2023) San Antonio Johnson's Jada Scott and Mansfield's Elise Clift both claimed double gold with The Woodlands High School (shown above) claiming the overall team title at the 2023 UIL 6A Girls State Swimming and Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center on Saturday.

Scott won the 50-yard freestyle with the time of :22.42. She followed that up about two hours later with a victory in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:00.59). The senior announced this past May that she will attend the University of Alabama and swim for the Crimson Tide in 2023. Clift, who is a junior, took top honors in the 200-yard freestyle (1:47.44) and the 500-yard freestyle (4:46.23). 

The Woodlands, who won just a single relay, claimed the team title with 300 points over second place Southlake Carroll (284) and third place Mansfield (163). The team champions based their team title on placing many swimmers in the finals to score vital points in route to the title. 

In fact, the Highlanders picked up 58 of their points in the 500-yard freestyle placing four girls in the championships finals and placing second, third, fifth, and eighth in the event. Their single victory in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:33.67), garnering 40 points. They also picked up 66 points with a second place finish in the 200-yard medley relays and third in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Southlake Carroll won the 200-yard medley relay (1:42.84) and the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:25.80) to lead them to their second place finish.

In the other individual events, three senior finished out their high school careers with state titles. Hannah O'Leary (Round Rock) won the 200-yard individual medley (2:00.52), with Vista Ridge's Paula Warren taking the gold in the 100-yard backstroke (:55.24). College Park's Chloe Sharpe topped the field in winning the 1-meter springboard diving event (335.05 pts).

Two sophomores made their way to the top of the medal stand; Marin Clem (Southlake Carroll) in the 100-yard freestyle (:49.07) and San Antonio Reagan's Montserrat Spielman in the 100-yard butterfly (:53.42).

Top seeds advanced in UIL 6A girls state swimming and diving championships

Story and Photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February17, 2023) Southlake Carroll High School garnered the top seeds in all three relays and Mansfield High School gained top seeds in four individual events in the prelim session of the 2023 UIL 6A Girls Swimming and Diving Championships in Austin.

The fans in attendance saw the Dragons finish first in the 200-yard medley relay (1:42.84), 200-yard freestyle relay (1:25.67) and the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:25.73) to set them up as the top seed in all three events for Saturday's finals.

Mansfield earned to seed in the finals with junior Elise Clift in the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.10) and the 500-yard freestyle (4:49.33). They also had top qualifiers in the 200-yard individual medley when Gracie Walker posted the time of 2:00.45. She was join by Katie Walker in the 100-yard butterfly (:54.04).

Fort Bend Clements junior Kayla Fu was tops in the 100-yard freestyle (:49.84) awhile Cedar Park Vista Ridge was the top qualifier in the 100-yard backstroke (:55.24).

Diving Chloe Sharpe  12  Conroe Woodlands College Park 355.05, Senior Jada Scott of San Antonio Johnson finished first in the 50-yard freestyle (:22.51) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:01.41).

The finals of the 6A division will kickoff on Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

Record falls in prelims of UIL 6A swimming and diving championships in Austin

Story and photo by  Robert H Kelly    
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 17, 2023) Fort Bend Clements senior Logan Brown swam his way to a new state record at the UIL 6A State Swimming and Diving Championships on Friday afternoon. In the third heat of the boys 100-yard breaststroke, Brown blasted past the competition; posting the time of  53.03 seconds, earning him the top seed in Saturday's finals at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center.

The previous 6A and overall state record of :53.39 was established by Brown at the 2022 state meet, and lasted for 364 days. He also captured the top seed for the finals in the 200-yard individual medley with the time of 1:45.09.

Also gaining the top seed in two events for the finals was Keller High School's Cooper Lucas. The junior qualified first in the 200-yard freestyle  (1:36.76) and 500-yard freestyle (4:24.53). Keller also earned the top seed in all three relays; 200-yard medley relay (1:30.75), 200-yard freestyle relay  (1:22.28), and 400-yard freestyle relay (3:00.33).

Seniors Hayden Bellotti (Fort Bend Clements), Sonny Wong (Round Rock Westwood) and Logan Pack (Katy Taylor) all qualified first in the 50-yard freestyle (:19.95), 100-yard freestyle (:43.52), and 100-yard backstroke (:48.23), respectively,

Junior Jacob Wimberly (Prosper) earned the top seed in the 100-yard butterfly (:46.99) with Prosper Rock Hill's Luke Sitz leading all divers with the score of 412.65 after the semi-finals.

The 6A finals will kickoff at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

HCU Huskies overcome Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 90-78

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
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HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 21, 2023) Using the combination of three-pointers and five players scoring in double digits, the HCU Huskies cruised to a 90-78 win over the Islanders of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The victory pushed the Huskies to a  4-3 record in the Southland Conference, along with three other conference programs.

Those Huskies scoring in double digits: Maks Klanjscek (20),  Bonke Maring (16), Pierce Bazil (15),  Sam Hofman (14), and Brycen Long (11) accounted for 76 of HVU's 90 points. Klanjscek and Maring each pulled down six rebounds, to lead the Huskies, with Hofman adding five. HCU shot 53 percent from the field, 76 percent from the free throw line, and 50 percent from three-point range. 

Terrion Murdix had 17 for the Islanders and Ross Williams finished with 13. TAMUCC shot just 37.1 percent (23-of-62) from the field and 29.6 percent (8-of-27) from three. The Islanders were solid from the line, making 24-of-29 (82.8 percent).

Next up for the Huskies is a matchup against Northwestern State on Thursday, January 26, and Texas A&M-Commerce in Commerce, Texas on Saturday, January 28.

HCU falls to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 57-42 in women's basketball action

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
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HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 21, 2023) The HCU Huskies dropped a 57-42 decision to the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (11-7, 6-1 SLC) at Sharp Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.  The Huskies (8-10) were leading by a slight margin (three points) after three quarters of play, but could not match the offensive punch of the Islanders in the fourth quarter; being outscored 24-6.

N'Denasija Harris lead the HCU scoring with 17 points followed by Abbey Southland, Marilyn Nzoiwu, and  Kennedy Wilson with six points each. Wilson also led the Huskies with seven rebounds. For the Islanders, Alecia Westbrook tallied 13 points and 13 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season. She has achieved six of her double-doubles in conference games this season. In addition, it was the senior's 27th double-double of her career.

HCU lost two-of-three meetings against the Islanders in 2021-22 season. The teams squared off in non-conference play where Corpus won, before splitting the conference series. Overall the Huskies are 8-13 against the Islanders dating back to 2011. In the lone Huskies win of last season, Nzoiwu posted a 13-point 13-rebound double-double. Wilson also dropped 12 points in the win. 

In other Southland Conference women's action on Saturday, Southeastern (10-7) defeated Texas A&M-Commerce (6-11) by the score of 46-42 while McNeese (7-11) outlasted Nicholls (4-14) 70-62.

Cowgirls Drop SLC Opener Against Lamar

BEAUMONT, TEXAS (December 31, 2022)  McNeese women’s basketball jumped out to an early four point lead but Lamar caught fire from three-point range on its way to an 82-61 Southland Conference opening win here Saturday.

The loss drops McNeese to 3-9 overall and 0-1 in league play while Lamar improves to 7-5 overall and 1-0 in the SLC.

Stephanie Guihon was the only Cowgirl to score in double figures, ending the game with 17 points.  Thirteen of Guihon’s 17 points came from the free throw line as she finished the game making 13 of 15 from the charity stripe.

McNeese was held to a 33.9 shooting percent (19-56) including 18.8 percent (3-16) from three-point range while Lamar ended the game shooting 44.1 percent (30-68) and a blistering 54.5 three-point percent (12-22).

The Cardinals also outrebounded the Cowgirls 44-38, something McNeese head coach Lynn Kennedy said the Cowgirls needed to improve on.  Turnovers have also been an issue for the Cowgirls this season. McNeese turned the ball over 18 times in the game resulting in 24 Lamar points.

Lamar had three players score in double figures with Sabrina Dean leading all players with a game high 20 points.  Dean was 8 of 13 from the field and 3 of 4 from behind the arc.  Akasha Davis chipped in 16 points and Portia Adams ended the game with 12 points, all coming from three-point range.

McNeese will return to action on Thursday, Jan. 5 to host Northwestern State in its SLC home opener. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. at the Legacy Center.

Houston Cougars rally to win Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly 

Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved 

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA (December 23, 2022) After a lackluster first half, the Houston Cougars finally got their offensive playbook together and downed the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns by the score of 23-16 in the 45th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.  

Louisiana dominated the first half after putting six points on the scoreboard after driving 75 yards in 15 plays when quarterback Chandler Fields (Archbishop Rummell HS, Metairie, Louisiana) connected on a four-yard pass to Johnny Lumpkins (Frederick Douglass HS, Atlanta, Georgia) for the score. Kenneth Almendares (Brazosport HS, Clute, Texas) added the kicking conversion to give the Ragin' Cajuns a seven-point lead at the 7:39 mark of the first quarter. 

After Houston failed to advance the ball and gain an offensive edge, Almendares kicked two consecutive field goals, both from 42-yards out, to push the Louisiana lead to 13-0 with just over seven minutes remaining in the first half. 

Four minutes later, the Cougars finally scored with a 33-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Hebron HS, Carrollton, Texas) to KeSean Carter (The Woodlands HS, Willis, Texas) for six points. Kyle Ramsey (Ridge Point HS, Missouri City, Texas) missed the extra point' making the score 13-6 with three minutes remaining in the half. Louisiana increased its lead when Almendares booted a 22-yard field goal with two seconds left to increase their lead to 16-6 at the half.  

Houston began to make offensive progress in the second half, driving 70 yards in 13 plays to cut Louisiana's lead to three. Tune found Nathaniel Dell open in the end zone' completing a two-yard pass for the score, Ramsey found success on the extra point; pushing the score to 16-13 at the 9:21 mark of the third quarter. 

The Cougars evened the score at 16 after driving 31 yards in nine plays, with a 19-yard Ramsey field goal with 13:40 remaining in the game. After Louisiana fail to get into the end zone, Houston got the ball back with 2:59 remaining in the game. Tune skillfully marked 92 yards down the field on 2:39 and completed the drive with a 12-yard pass to Dell for their second combined TD of the game. Ramsey again converted the extra point to give the Cougars the Independence Bowl trophy. 

As a result of his performance, Tune was honored as the Offensive Most Outstanding Player while Houston defensive back Art Green (Hutchinson CC, Chesterfield, Missouri) was selected the Defensive Most Outstanding Player. 

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl 2022: Houston Cougars Pregame Press Conference

Video by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA (December 22, 2022) This is the pregame press conference from the 2022 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl with Houston Cougars head coach Dana Holgorsen, wide receiver Nathaniel “Tank” Dell, and quarterback Clayton Tune.

Quarterback Clayton Tune (Hebron HS, Carrollton, Texas) leads the American Athletic Conference in career touchdown passes (101), is two touchdown passes shy of Tanner Mordecai's (SMU, 2021) single-season record (39) and one shy of Demond Ridder (Cincinnati, 2018-21) and Holton Ahlers (ECU, 2018-present) for the league's career touchdowns responsible for (117) record.

Wide receiver Nathaniel Dell (Independence CC, Daytona Beach, Florida)has been named a Second Team All-American by several publications including The Athletic and Pro Football Focus. The junior, who has declared for the NFL Draft, leads the nation in receiving touchdowns (15) this season. Dell's 30 receiving scores since the start of the 2020 season paces the country as does his nine games of 125-plus receiving yards since 2021

HOUSTON FB: Independence Bowl Practice B-Roll

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA (December 21, 2022) The Houston Cougars (7-5, 5-3 AAC) will face off against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns in the 46th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium on December 23, 2022.

This year's edition of the Independence Bowl will be 10th meeting of the two programs going back to 1946. The Cougars have won the past seven meetings, including the most recent (October 7, 2006) which was won by Houston 31-28.

Below is video, courtesy of Houston Athletics, of their practice on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.

The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT Friday in Shreveport and will be broadcast on ESPN. 

Boise State downs North Texas 35-32 in Frisco Bowl

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

FRISCO, TEXAS (December 17, 2022) Boise State quarterback Taylen Green (shown right) threw for one touchdown and rushed for two more to lead the Broncos to a 35-32 win over the North Texas Mean Green in the 2022 edition of the Frisco Bowl at Toyota Stadium. The 6-6 redshirt freshman, who played his prep ball al Louisville (Texas) High School, completed 13-of-22 passes for 137 yards while carrying the ball 12 times for 119  yards. As a results of his performance, he was selected, by a vote of the media in attendance, as the Most Valuable Offensive player of the game.

Offensively, the Broncos tallied 455 yards, with 318 of the yards coming on the ground. Running back Ashton Jeanty (Lone Star HS, Jacksonville, Florida) carried the ball 28 times for 178 yards with wide receiver Latrell Caples (Lancaster HS, Lancaster, Texas) catching six passes for 87 yards.

North Texas posted just 20 yards less than Boise State on offense in their losing effort. Quarterback Austin Aune (University of Arkansas, Argyle, Texas)  completed 17-of-32 passes for 238 yards with two interceptions and one touchdown. Jordan Smart (UT Permian Basin, Round Rock, Texas) caught three passes for 94 yards with running back Ikaika Ragsdale (Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas, Neveda) carrying the ball 21 times for 94 yards and two touchdowns.

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

Defensively, middle linebacker Ezekial Noa (shown right) was honored as the Most Valuable Defensive player of the game, due to his interception return of 52 yards.

The Broncos finished their season with a 10-4 record with the Mean Green dropping to 7-7. North Texas will kickoff their 2023 schedule with a Saturday, September 2 matchup against the California Golden Bears at Apogee Stadium in Denton. Boise State will begin 2023 with a game versus the Washington Huskies, also on September 2.

AUSTIN FC SIGNS U.S. INTERNATIONAL FORWARD GYASI ZARDES

Photo courtesy of Austin FC

AUSTIN, TEXAS (December 12, 2022) Austin FC announced today the Club reached an agreement to sign free agent forward Gyasi Zardes to a multi-year contract. Zardes joins the "Verde & Black" on a three-year guaranteed deal through the end of the 2025 season, with an option for the 2026 season. 

“I can’t wait to step out on the field at Q2 Stadium and represent both Austin FC and the community as a whole,” said Zardes. “I love the way Austin FC plays, and look forward to working with Claudio, Josh, and the rest of the team. This is a special moment for my family and me.” 

Zardes joins Austin FC as one of the most accomplished forwards in MLS history. Since entering the league in 2013, he has made 267 regular season appearances during stints with the LA Galaxy, Columbus Crew, and Colorado Rapids, scoring 97 goals and registering 25 assists. His goal tally ranks 13th-most in league history. 

 
Zardes was a key member of two MLS Cup-winning teams, scoring 16 goals in 2014 to help the Galaxy lift the trophy and contributing 12 goals in 2020 as Columbus won the title. He was voted an MLS All-Star in 2015, and the MLS Comeback Player of the Year in 2018 after scoring a single-season career best 19 goals while working with Josh Wolff, who coached Zardes as an assistant with Columbus Crew. 

 

“We’d like to extend a warm welcome to Gyasi and his family to Austin, and we’re excited to add a player and person of his quality to our roster,” said Austin FC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna. “Gyasi has one of the most impressive resumés of any striker to have played in MLS and brings excellent goal-scoring and leadership to the team.” 

 
A frequent member of the U.S. Men’s National Team since his debut in 2015, Zardes has 68 senior international appearances with the Stars-and-Stripes to his name. He has scored 14 goals at the international level, with his most recent an 86th-minute game-winner for the USMNT against Qatar at Q2 Stadium in the semifinal of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. Zardes was a member of the USMNT squads that won the Gold Cup in 2017 and 2021. 

 

“Having worked with Gyasi in the past, I couldn’t be more excited to have him join the team here in Austin,” said Austin FC Head Coach Josh Wolff. “His quality, humility, and work ethic as a striker fit our system well, and it’s fantastic to add another player with his level of MLS success to our locker room.”  

 

Born in Hawthorne, California, Zardes played in the LA Galaxy academy system and collegiately at Cal State Bakersfield before beginning his professional career. 

Houston Dynamo FC sign forward Ifunanyachi Achara

Photo courtesy of USA Today and Imagn 
via Houston Dynamo FC

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (December 11, 2022) Houston Dynamo FC signed Nigerian forward Ifunanyachi Achara (shown right) for a one-year contract in addition to a club options for 2024. He  was selected by the Dynamo in Stage 2 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft on November 22 and signed on December 7.  He is the third addition to the Houston Dynamo FC this offseason and brings the current Houston roster to 22 for the upcoming season.

The 25-year-old played in 30 matches over the past three seasons with Toronto FC, tallying three goals in 30 appearances. Prior to Toronto, he played for Black Rock FC in USL League Two in 2019, making 10 appearances and scoring three goals.

Dynamo general manager Pat Onstad was quoted, from a prepared press release,

“Achara is a powerful and fast, young attacker who provides valuable depth across our front line. As a club, we are looking to add more players with a history of winning trophies, regardless of the level. We were impressed by Achara’s leadership role during a very successful period for the Georgetown Hoyas. We look forward to his continued growth as a young professional and expect him to add to our culture and contribute to our attack in 2023.”

In college, he played four seasons for the Georgetown Hoyas, leading them to a NCAA Division I national title. He posted 20 goals and seven assists in 47 appearances for the Hoyas.