Convenience Big Store: Katy, Kingwood set to clash for spot at state softball tournament

May 23, 2024

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Katy is one of the favorites to win state this year, but Kingwood has other plans

And then, there were two.

Only Katy and Kingwood remain in the Region III-6A softball playoffs. The powerhouse programs will square off for a three-game series this week that will decide one of four spots in the UIL state tournament.

Katy, ranked No. 1 in the country, is seeking its fourth state appearance and third since 2015. The Tigers (39-1-1) are the favorites to claim the crown once again after doing so in 2015 and 2019, but Kingwood will have something to say about that.

The Mustangs (35-7) are led by first-year coach Christa Williams-Yates has already posted its highest win total since 2013. Now Kingwood is looking to play spoiler against Katy with a talented group of young pitchers leading the way.

See the full regional championship schedule for Houston-area softball teams and check out Wednesday's roundup.

Baseball playoffs

Mustang magic: Friendswood trailed 4-0 against Lake Creek in Game 1 of the teams' regional semifinal baseball series Wednesday before mounting a comeback and stealing the victory. Drew Smith delivered the go-ahead strike for the Mustangs with an RBI single in the fifth inning. Elsewhere in the Region III-5A bracket, defending state champion Magnolia West also prevailed, taking Game 1 of its series against Santa Fe. The Mustangs scored six runs in the bottom of the third inning and never looked back.

Just getting started: Several other baseball series get underway today, including Memorial vs. Pearland, Cy-Fair vs. Clear Springs, Tomball vs. Rockwall and Bridgeland vs. Rockwall Heath in Class 6A. Pearland is the defending Region III champion and will look to hold off a Memorial squad enjoying its most successful season since 2019. Cy-Fair, which rallied with two straight victories to beat Katy last week, will take on a Clear Springs team that is 6-0 in the playoffs. Tomball and Bridgeland will try to knock off perennial regional title contenders from Rockwall ISD. Tomball is one of the hottest teams in the state, winning 23 straight games.

Note to coaches: Submit scores and stats on game nights by emailing hssports@houstonchronicle.com.

Follow all our coverage at houstonchronicle.com/highschoolsports.

Jon Poorman, High School Sports Editor

jpoorman@houstonchronicle.com

Athlete of the Week

Congratulations to Needville softball player Makala Smith, who was voted Girls Athlete of the Week. Smith, an Oklahoma State commit, allowed two earned runs and recorded 18 strikeouts over 14 innings of work in two games against Floresville last week.

Congratulations to Magnolia West baseball player Cody Palacios, who was voted Boys Athlete of the Week. Palacios delivered a walk-off RBI single in Game 2 against A&M Consolidated last week. He also went 3-for-4 with a home run in Game 1.

Shout out

Fresh start for Kenyon Green

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans spoke about Atascocita High School alum Kenyon Green following the second day of organized team activities Tuesday, expressing optimism for a bounce-back year for the offensive lineman and former first-round pick.

Stat of the day

1.138: Former Clear Brook star Corey Julks only has a small sample size of production since the Astros traded him to the White Sox. But he has taken advantage of his new opportunity, posting a 1.138 OPS and a .538 on-base percentage so far, going 4-for-10 with a double, a home run, three RBIs, three walks and two stolen bases.