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Sports
RANGERS REPEAT?
Defending champs aren’t ready to surrender lacrosse supremacy
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By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
At 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.
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 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.”
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
People Newspapers
It was just a matter of time until Hockaday’s second-half dominance would be rewarded with a breakthrough moment.
Despite a compacted and stubborn Houston St. John’s defense, the goal that sent Hockaday to its second consecutive SPC girls soccer championship was finally delivered by Aynalie Charron with nine minutes remaining.
The freshman midfielder used her right knee to deflect a curling 25-yard free kick from Leena Mehendale into the net for a 2-1 Hockaday victory on Feb. 12 in Fort Worth.
“My job is to be in position for any balls that get through,’’ Charron said. “My first thought was ‘no way, that did not just happen.’ This whole season has been like a great dream.’’
The Daisies (17-1-2) celebrated their sixth SPC girls soccer title since 2005, following up on a 2020 championship.
The only other loss for St. John’s (16-2) was to Hockaday on Dec. 3 by a 1-0 score.
St. John’s and Hockaday were meeting in their third consecutive SPC final. After an early goal by St. John’s, Hockaday equalized with 8:40 remaining in the opening half on a clever tap by JoJo Ma from left of the goal. A well-worked throw by Jules Johnson found Ma breaking toward the net in stride. “Our captains and This whole season seniors set the tone,’’ said Hockaday head has been like a great coach Rod Skaidream. fe, whose team’s only loss this season was to Aynalie Charron UIL Class 6A powerhouse Southlake Carroll. “This is probably the strongest soccer-playing team we’ve had. A great bunch.’’ Also, at the SPC winter championships, Greenhill suffered a heartbreaking 56-55 defeat to Houston Episcopal in the boys basketball title game. Lee Dort scored 22 points to lead Greenhill (23-9), which had its 12-game winning streak snapped and narrowly missed its first conference crown in more than two decades. The Hornets PCP_Apr2022_Banner-Final.pdf 1 2/28/2022 11:17:17 AM knocked off St. Mark’s in the semifinals. In swimming, Hockaday claimed its first
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).
