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August 14, 2023

Vote: Houston high school Athlete of the Week returns

Plus: Grand Oaks dominates without biggest star.  ͏  ͏  ͏
High School Sports Insider

August 14, 2023

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Grand Oaks volleyball team dominates Katy/Cy-Fair Classic, despite missing its top player.

The Grand Oaks volleyball team was without its biggest star this weekend.

But that didn't stop the Grizzlies from dominating the Katy/Cy-Fair Classic. Grand Oaks claimed the tournament championship with a sweep against Stratford in the Gold Bracket final. The team is undefeated through the first week of the season at 9-0.

The Grizzlies were missing senior middle blocker and Florida commit Jaela Auguste, who was in Croatia helping the United States' U19 team to a world championship gold-medal win.

With its strong performance over the weekend, Grand Oaks rose to No. 1 in our weekly power rankings.

Three things to watch

Cypress Ranch starts strong under new coach: Cypress Ranch also had a successful weekend at the Katy/Cy-Fair Classic, finishing 6-1 and claiming the Bronze Bracket title with a victory against Aledo. Fulshear and Clear Creek also won their bracket championships, and Barbers Hill came up just short in the Gold Bracket final. See all of the results from the tournament in our Saturday volleyball roundup.

Houston-area teams gain experience at Turner Classic: Only three of the eight teams in the championship quarterfinals of the John Turner Classic were from the Houston area, and all three came up short. The annual tournament gave teams like Episcopal, Pearland and Clear Springs some tough competition and valuable insight as they wrapped up the first week of the season. 

Local players shine in tournament action: With most Houston-area volleyball teams participating in tournaments over the weekend, there were plenty of opportunities for players to make an impression. See the top performances from the first week of the season.

Follow all our coverage at houstonchronicle.com/highschoolsports.

Photo of Jon Poorman

Jon Poorman, High School Sports Editor

jpoorman@houstonchronicle.com


Top stories

North Shore coach Willie Gaston at practice during fall camp.

Photo by: By Marcus Gutierrez

Houston football powerhouse North Shore is entering a new era with head coach Willie Gaston.

With return of junior quarterback Kaleb Bailey and plenty of starters from 2022, the Mustangs are looking to get back to the Class 6A Division I state championship game.

Lamar's Jordan Reaves (14) runs the ball against Westside during a District 18-6A high school football game Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at Delmar Stadium in Houston.

Photo by: Justin Rex, Contributor

Lamar is aiming for a third consecutive championship in District 18-6A.

With 40 seniors and 14 returning starters, two-time defending district champion Lamar is the clear favorite in District 18-6A, which also features Heights and Westbury.

Cypress Falls running back Trey Morris (22) stiff arms Tomball Memorial linebacker Nyle Hughes (9) in the third quarter during the Region II-6A Division II bi-district game at Ken Pridgeon Stadium in Houston, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.

Photo by: Maria Lysaker

After a four-way tie for the district title last year, 16-6A should remain competitive.

Running back Trey Morris leads a dark horse Cypress Falls team this year. The Army commit finished last season with 1,950 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns.

Westfield running back Taji Atkins (21) has a laugh with teammates after being pulled early in the second half of a high school football game against Cy-Park Friday, Aug 26, 2022, in Spring.

Photo by: Joe Buvid/Contributor

Westfield is looking to go unbeaten in District 14-6A after running the table last year.

Running back Taji Atkins, a Rice commit, will be one of the primary offensive playmakers for the Mustangs, who reached the Region II-6A Division I championship game a year ago.


Athlete of the Week

High school sports are officially underway in the Houston area, which means the return of our Athlete of the Week polls. Each week during the school year, five boys and five girls athletes will be nominated. Voting begins Monday afternoon and closes midnight Wednesday. The winners will receive special recognition in Thursday's newsletter.

Vote for Girls Athlete of the Week

Vote for Boys Athlete of the Week


Shout out

Oak Ridge four-star running back Frankie Arthur, the brother of NFL star Adrian Peterson, recently committed to Central Florida. Arthur should be the catalyst for the War Eagles' offense again this season after rushing for 1,445 yards and 18 touchdowns last year.


Stat of the day

21: The number of years the Texas Longhorns football program has gone without having an offensive lineman selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Summer Creek alum and starting left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., a sophomore, is looking to change that when he's done with college ball.

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