14 April 2022 | prestonhollowpeople.com
Sports
RANGERS REPEAT?
Defending champs aren’t ready to surrender lacrosse supremacy By Todd Jorgenson
players,” Surran said. “Defensively, we’re very strong. We’ve got a lot of depth. We’re hoping that will be the anchor of the team.”
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t first glance, the lack of depth and experience on Jesuit’s lacrosse roster suggests a team ready to rebuild rather than repeat a state championship. But those close to the program know that after winning their third Texas High School Lacrosse League title — and first since 2017 — last May, the Rangers are ready to contend again. “We said goodbye to a bunch of tremendously talented seniors. We knew that was going to be a massive adjustment,” said Jesuit head coach Chris Surran. “We’ll have a target on our back all year. It’s definitely possible for the kids to [repeat] if they stay focused and disciplined.” Last year’s graduating class included a handful of Division I college signees, most notably Sam Teachout ( Johns Hopkins), who was named an All-American. Alex Chen (High Point), Caiden Vlasimsky (St. John’s), and Henry Suarez (St. Francis) also are gone.
We’ll have a target on our back all year. Chris Surran
After earning a THSLL state championship a year ago, Jesuit faces some new hurdles in its quest to repeat. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY)
Jesuit returns only a few starters from the squad that upset top-seeded Highland Park in the 2021 state championship game. And one of the top expected returnees, Cameron Martin, will likely miss the season with a knee injury.
So when it came to seasoning his young squad for another postseason run, Surran started by bolstering the schedule with not just top-notch local rivals but also national powers. Seven of Jesuit’s 15 regular-season opponents are based outside of
Texas. The Rangers played three games against Florida schools in the Miami area over spring break. They will host Torrey Pines from California and Gonzaga from Washington, D.C., in early April. “We’re hoping that can accelerate the development of our younger
Jesuit still has balance on its roster, with several players teaming up year-round on the Iron Horse Lacrosse club program. McAllister Hobbs and newcomer Beckett Foley emerged as the top scoring threats early in the season for the Rangers. Other names to watch include Charlie Metz, Charlie Schmidt, Nate Duncan, Billy Robertson, Tyler Gazzam, and Will Reading. Both goalkeepers, Cooper Coleman and Connor Knight, are top college recruits. “I think we’ll be better than people thought we were going to be,” Surran said. “We have some pretty talented kids who were waiting in the wings.”
Hockaday Rallies to Claim Second Straight SPC Soccer Crown
Greenhill falls in buzzer-beater in boys basketball at winter championships By Todd Jorgenson
St. John’s and Hockaday were meeting in their third consecutive SPC final. After an early goal by St. John’s, HockIt was just a matter of time until Hock- aday equalized with 8:40 remaining in the aday’s second-half dominance would be re- opening half on a clever tap by JoJo Ma warded with a breakthrough moment. from left of the goal. A well-worked throw Despite a compacted and stubborn by Jules Johnson found Ma breaking toward Houston St. John’s defense, the goal that the net in stride. “Our captains and sent Hockaday to its second consecutive SPC seniors set the tone,’’ girls soccer championsaid Hockaday head ship was finally delivered coach Rod Skaiby Aynalie Charron with fe, whose team’s only nine minutes remaining. loss this season was to The freshman midUIL Class 6A powfielder used her right erhouse Southlake knee to deflect a curling 25-yard free kick Carroll. “This is probably the strongest socfrom Leena Mehendale into the net for a 2-1 cer-playing team we’ve had. A great bunch.’’ Hockaday victory on Feb. 12 in Fort Worth. Also, at the SPC winter championships, “My job is to be in position for any balls Greenhill suffered a heartbreaking 56-55 that get through,’’ Charron said. “My first defeat to Houston Episcopal in the boys thought was ‘no way, that did not just happen.’ basketball title game. Lee Dort scored 22 This whole season has been like a great dream.’’ points to lead Greenhill (23-9), which had The Daisies (17-1-2) celebrated their its 12-game winning streak snapped and sixth SPC girls soccer title since 2005, fol- narrowly missed its first conference crown lowing upPCP_Apr2022_Banner-Final.pdf on a 2020 championship. in more than two decades. The Hornets 1 2/28/2022 11:17:17 AM The only other loss for St. John’s (16-2) knocked off St. Mark’s in the semifinals. was to Hockaday on Dec. 3 by a 1-0 score. In swimming, Hockaday claimed its first
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This whole season has been like a great dream. Aynalie Charron
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Hockaday’s 2-1 win over Houston St. John’s gave the Daisies their sixth SPC title since 2005 and their second in a row. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY) girls team crown since 2016 while defending champion St. Mark’s was fourth in the boys standings. Individual event winners for Hockaday included Brooke Adams (50 freestyle and 100 freestyle) and Julia Luo (100 breaststroke). Greenhill’s Josie Arbuckle took the girls 200 freestyle.
Perennial wrestling power St. Mark’s finished third as a team but featured a handful of weight-class champions, including Perkison Quina (106 pounds), Hayward Metcalf (138 pounds), Jedidiah Kim (145 pounds), Sal Abbasi (152 pounds), and Elijah Ellis (195 pounds).
