26 May 2021 | parkcitiespeople.com
Sports
PAIR OF ACES: HP WORKHORSES HAVE DIFFERENT STYLES, SAME RESULTS Williams, Valentine could be key to a lengthy playoff run for the Scots people out and keep us in games.” Williams, a senior, has started most of the Tuesday games this season for HP. After serving as the closer a year ago, he’s embraced his new role. “Every district game is kind of a mustwin,” Williams said. “I’m excited we’re getting a full season this year. It makes us want it a little more than usual.” Valentine, a junior, has verbally committed to the University of Texas after attracting a number of scholarship offers. As the Friday starter for the Scots, he studies the lineup Williams typically faces three days earlier. “It helps getting to watch him on Tuesday,” Valentine said. “Focusing on Calvin helps me with how I attack the hitters on Friday.” After last season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, Yoder wasn’t sure he had any clearcut No. 1 starter this winter. As
the season progressed, he found out he had two. Williams and Valentine have each been so consistent — regularly throwing complete games with double-digit strikeout totals — that it’s been challenging to find innings for other pitchers on the staff. That depth will come in handy in the upcoming playoffs when advancement usually requires winning a best-of-three series. Ben Bailey, Mac Moreland, and Preston Gamster are among the other hurlers who have been effective in limited appearances. During a four-game stretch comprising back-to-back sweeps of Crandall and West Mesquite, for example, the Scots didn’t walk any hitters while striking out 40. “It’s been a pleasant surprise,” Yoder said of his dynamic duo. “They can last a long time because they work fast, and they’re throwing a lot of strikes.”
They can last a long time because they work fast, and they’re throwing a lot of strikes. Travis Yoder
FROM LEFT: Highland Park pitchers Collin Valentine and Calvin Williams have racked up plenty of innings — and strikeouts — this season. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY)
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
C
alvin W illiams is a hard-throwing right-hander with shoulder-length hair, a fiery mound demeanor, and a charismatic bulldog attitude. Collin Valentine is a lanky lefty
with a more finesse repertoire, an even-keeled approach, and a cerebral perspective on his craft. In many ways, Highland Park’s top two starting pitchers couldn’t be more different. Yet their results this season have been strikingly similar. Dominant pitching is the primary
reason why the Scots are heading back to the Class 5A playoffs this season while also chasing another district title. “They’re both pitching with a lot of confidence,” said HP head coach Travis Yoder. “Their personalities are different, but they have the same mindset — just to get
Goal Oriented: For HP Senior, Scoring Is A Specialty
Mencke aiming for final state tournament run with senior teammates By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Thomas Mencke might be comfortable around the goal, but his frequency there tends to make opponents uncomfortable. The scoring prowess of the Highland Park senior is the primary reason why he’s one of the most dynamic offensive players in Texas, for an HP squad that expects to contend for a state championship. His lefthanded flair and uncanny finishing ability also attracted the attention of the powerhouse college program at the University of Virginia, where Mencke will play next season after signing with the Cavaliers in the fall. “I’ve always wanted to play for a really good school,” Mencke said. Virginia, which won a national title in 2019. “I really like the coaches and I’m really excited about that. It’s an awesome fit for me.” Mencke said he watches other attacking lefties but has his own style, with the crafty ability to shoot from different release points. “I would say I’m a pretty original player,” Mencke said. “I’ve always tried to put myself in position where I can score. It’s more of a mentality than anything.” Mencke hails from an athletic Park Cities family. His oldest brother, Robert, was an HP lacrosse standout — albeit on defense — pri-
or to playing collegiately at Harvard. Another sibling, Charles, was a rower at Cornell. Like them, Thomas participated in several sports in elementary school but eventually settled on lacrosse and basketball. Always more elite in the former, he stopped playing hoops after last season. With recruiting now in the rearview mirror, Mencke is focused on winning a Texas High School Lacrosse League state title with his longtime teammates. Many of this year’s HP seniors won a THSLL Division II crown together during their freshman year. As sophomores, they were Division I runners-up. And last year, the season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2019 run, Mencke tallied three goals during a state semifinal victory over Austin Westlake, but was held scoreless in the championship game against ESD. Mencke was a major factor when the Scots defeated the rival Eagles twice during the regular season this spring. The playoffs begin in late April, with the state tournament scheduled for May 8-9. “All of the seniors now have been playing together since elementary school. We knew this season would be pretty special,” he said. “It’s a bigger deal to us now, since we didn’t get the chance last year.”
We knew this season would be pretty special. Thomas Mencke
Highland Park’s Thomas Mencke is part of a large senior class with state title hopes for the Scots. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY)
