The LISTS -- The 212 of 2012

May 14, 2012

By Matt Malatesta of VYPE MAGAZINE - South Houston

The Lists

It was another banner year in Houston high school sports as the city filled its trophy case with a Class 5A state football championship, a girls' and boys' golf title, swimming and diving gold and several private school team championships.

 

Dozens of tremendous individual performances were also turned in garnering rings, medals, personal bests and other accolades. Memories were made, hearts were broken and VYPE covered it all over the past 10 months. So what better way to log all the best from the high school year that was then to name the 212 top athletes for 2012.

 

At 211-degrees we all know that water is hot. At 212, water boils. It's that little extra heat that makes all the difference. That is what these athletes gave in the weight room, on the practice field and on their own time. So here they are...

 

The Hot 50 Gridiron Greats

1. Trey Williams, Dekaney, RB

Undisputed Athlete of the Year

2. Bralon Addison, Hightower, QB

Heartbeat of the Hurricanes

3. Taiwan Johnson, Manvel, DE

Part Reason for Manvel's Run

4. Tim Wright, La Marque, RB

Four-Year Starter Always Hungry

5. Garry Kimble, Pearland Dawson, QB

Looking Back, Way Under-Rated as a Leader

6. Marcus Johnson, Clear Springs, WR

Talented Playmaker; Headed to Texas

7. Ford Childress, Kinkaid, QB

Won SPC Title with 3,100 Yards and 41 TDs

8. Malcolm Brown, Brenham, Athlete

Completely Dominated Both Sides of Ball

9. Lance Miles, The Woodlands, QB

Led Highlanders to Best Playoff Run in Years

10. Ben Catalon, Westside, RB

Early Graduate Had Amazing Senior Year

11. Chris Alexander, Pearland, DT

Undersized but Propelled Oilers to Regional Finals

12. Jarrett Irving, Dekaney, S

Second Biggest Reason for State Championship

13. Ryan Jackson, Angleton, Athlete

Quandre Diggs-Clone; Led Wildcats to Regional Finals

14. Derrick Griffin, Terry, Athlete

Freaky Ability Makes Him Game-Changer

15. Shane Rhodes, Klein Collins, Athlete

One Of Most Electric Athletes Under the Lights

16. Brooks Haack, Katy, QB

Take for Granted How Important He Was

17. Garrett Hope, The Woodlands, LB

Anchor of one of City's Top Defenses

18. Mike Matthews, Elkins, OL

Houston's Best Technician

19. Connor Feist, Langham Creek, QB

Doesn't Get Love but Racks Up Numbers

20. Jordan Thompson, Katy, WR

When has Katy WR Had Over 1,200 Yards; Next to Never

21. Desmond Richards, Magnolia West, RB

Put West on the Football Map

22.  Dwight White, Cy-Fair, DB

Quarterback on Defense for Bobcats

23. Boomer White, Memorial, RB

Went Out Fighting as a Senior

24. Corey Thompson, Elkins, QB

Blow Up Safety, Who Will Star in College

25. Matt Davis, Klein Forest, QB

Started Off Hot; Nagged by Injury and Depth

26. Glynn Cheeks, Manvel, DT

Anchored Middle for Manvel

27. Jarred Gipson, Cy Creek, TE

Hybrid was Often Best Player on the Field

28. Troy Mitchell, Cy Falls, QB

Will be Hard to Replace

29. Anthony Smith, Westfield, DT

Led the Power Set; Great Motor on Line

30. Blake Webb, The Woodlands, WR

Big-Play Receiver Kept Defenses Honest

31. Kendall Ehrlich, Pearland, LB

Stayed in Lane Worked for Him

32. Ben Weaver, Klein, LB

Overachieving Bearkat

33. Keith Whitely, La Porte, Athlete

Go-To Guy for Bulldogs                                     

34. Kennedy Estelle, Pearland Dawson, OL

Dominated the Line for Eagles

35. Hoza Scott, La Porte, LB

Football IQ Made  Him Top Soph in State

36. Chance Allen, Elkins, WR

Gliding Receiver Has College Tools

37. Daneal Hunter, Morton Ranch, DE   

Sideline to Sideline Defender

38. Webster Jones, Angleton, Athlete

Can Play Anywhere With Speed of Play

39. Mitchell Meyers, The Woodlands, DE

Anchors Highlander Defense; Iowa St-Commit

40. A.J. Hilliard, Klein Oak, LB

Played Big as a Senior

41. Ronald Monroe, Bush, QB

Led Broncs to First-Ever Playoff Appearance

42. Shane McClarley, Manvel, QB

Spilt Time but Made the Big Plays

43. Jerry Bynum, Elsik, RB

Been Wearing Out Defenses for Years

44. Matt Dimon, Katy, DT

Wrecked Offensive Game Plans

45. Todd Eaglin, The Woodlands Christian Academy, QB

Wiggled His Way Deep in the Playoffs

46. Bo Brown, Katy, LB

Great High School Football Player

47. Austin Garrett, Dekaney, WR

When He Was On, He Was Unguardable

48. Daniel Lopez, Lamar, DB

Nose for the Football

49. Jake Blackledge, Clear Springs, QB

Took Charge of the Offense

50. Austin Bennett, Manvel, WR

Huge Chunk for Yards after Catch

                                                 

The Top 25 Spikers, Setters and Diggers

1. Chanel Clark-Bibbs, Cy Falls, MB/OH

Best Player on the Best Team

2. Katie Mitchell, College Park, MB/OH

Most Dominant Player in Houston

3. Chloe Collins, Cy Woods, Setter

Came Back From Injury, Still Best All-Around Athlete

4. Alexis Austin, Cy Falls, MB/OH

Colorado-commit Brought the Hammer

5. Tiana Dockery, Foster, OH

Glue to the Falcons State Run

6. Ashley Smith, Clear Creek, MB/OH

South Houston's Most Consistent Hitter

7. Molly McCage, Klein Collins, MB/OH

Will Expand Game in College

8. Meredith Rankin, Kingwood, MB/OH

Versatile and Steady as They Come

9. Katey Kyle, Dawson, MB/OH

Eagles Rode her Wing

10. Kylie Randall, Magnolia, MB/OH

Will be Top Player in 2013

11. Jill Bergerson, Friendswood, MB/OH

Helped Friendswood Take Flight

12. Kiara Wright, Clear Lake, OH

Raw Athlete with Tremendous Power

13. Annie Mitchem, Friendswood, MB

After Year Out; Came Back with Vengeance

14. Emily Wright, Cy-Fair, OH

Great Court Awareness

15.  Khourtni Fears, Bellaire, OH

The Best in HISD

16. Erin Fairs, Foster, MB/OH

Great No. 2 for Foster

17. Victoria Arenas, Cy Woods, Libero

One of Top Defenders in City

18. Jenelle Jordan, Bellaire, MB

Beast in the Middle

19. Rachel Hollywood, Katy, MB

Made Katy Forget about Football For a Minute

20. Michelle Griffith, College Park, Setter

Quarterbacked City's Top Team in Regular Season

21. Sarah Nielson, Cy Woods, OH/MB

Top Hitting Percentage in Houston

22. Kylie Schott, Cy Fair, MB

Nice Player in Tough District

23. Katie Reilly, Concordia Lutheran, OH

Decorated Private School Player

24. Amy South, Klein Collins, Setter

Helped Tigers to Playoffs

25. Summer Kisner, Clements

Top Player in Fort Bend

 

The Top 10 X-Country Crazies

1. Craig Nowak, Cy Woods

Amazing Senior Season; Headed to Oklahoma State

2. Cali Roper, Willis

Top Class 4A Girls Headed to Rice

3. Ryan Teel, Friendswood

Junior is Top Class 4A Runner

4. Madi McLellan, The Woodlands

No Soph Slump. National Star

5. Ashley Mills, Kingwood

Performed Well in District of Doom

6. Catie Daigre, Kingwood

Ole Miss-Commit Glue to Mustangs

7. Cale Wallace, Cypress Ranch

Arkansas-Commit is a Stud

8. Frank Lara, Strake Jesuit

Should be Area's Top Class 5A Runner in 2014

9. Janae Bottoms, Klein

Top Girls' 2012 Recruit

10. Brigham Hedges, The Woodlands

Leader of Legendary Program

11. Nathan Jones, Klein Oak

Sneaky Good

12. Katie Jensen, College Park

One of Top Talents for 2013

13. Colin Stoeber, Cy Woods

Headed to Baylor after Solid Season

14. Levi Kessler, Friendswood

Makes Friendswood a Top Team

15. Sandie Raines, Kingwood

Should be Star as Senior in 2013

 

The Top 10 Under Water Warriors

1. Gray Umbach, College Park

Headed to Stanford and Olympics in Future

2. Kassidy Cook, The Woodlands

Crushed the Competition at State

3. Brooks Powell, Kingwood Park

Won Gold, Silver and Two Bronze at State

4. Ford Story, Stratford

Led Class 4A School to First Ever State

5. Romy Landeck, Clements

Super Talent from Fort Bend

6. Jonathan DeBaugh, Conroe

Headed to Army for Swimming

7. Jacob Wallace, Cy Creek

Back Stroke Beast

8. Jacob Gonzales, Klein Collins

Led the Tigers to Surprise Hardware

9. Allie Sullins, Magnolia West

Led Team to Second Place Finish

10. Knox Hitt, The Woodlands

Showed Well in Relays

 

The Top 5 Graplers

1. Travis Leiskau, Klein Oak

Finally Gets His Gold

2. Anna McAleavey, Cy Creek

Prodigy Has Been on Varsity as a Freshman

3. Nina Wyre, Katy Taylor

Wrecked the 185-Pound Division

4. Justin Ackerman, Clear Brook

Finished Silver as Heavy-Weight

5. Ashley Miles, Morton Ranch

Lost in a Close One in State Finals

 

Top 25 Boys' Hoopers

1. Aaron Harrison, Travis

Went Off All Season

2. Rasheed Sulaimon, Strake Jesuit

Ready for ACC Battles Now

3. Andrew Harrison, Travis

Made City's Best Backcourt

4. L.J. Rose, Westbury Christian

Polished Point Guard

5. Cameron Ridley, Fort Bend Bush

Texas Can Finally Exhale; He's Signed

6. Clyde Santee, Yates

Underrated Guard at 6-foot-7

7. Josh Gray, Wheatley

Headed to Texas Tech; Pure Point

8. Damyean Dotson, Yates

Finished Season On Fire

9. Justise Winslow, St. Johns

Special Sophomore

10. Danuel House, Hightower

Athletic Freak

11. Evan Cooper, College Park

Hartford-Signee; Solid on Backcourt

12. Shaquille Cleare, Village School

Remember the Name; Will Be a Star

13. Mitchell Badillo, Cy Falls

Great Floor General

14. Branford Jones, Elkins

Electric Scorer Heads West

15. Terry Allen, Manvel

Bullish in the Paint

16. Broderick  Harris, Jones

No Flash; Just Production

17. Justin Jackson, HYCA

Top Player in 2014?                           

18. Derrick Griffin, Terry

Football Mentality on Court

19. Richard Benedyth, Cy Springs

Led Panthers to Magical Season

20. John Gillon, Strake Jesuit

UALR-Commit Plays Big Than Size

21. Michael Carey, Lamar Consolidated

Texas Tech Found a Good One

22. Chicken Knowles, HCYA

Rangy Athlete Headed to UH

23. Trey Pinkney, Seven Lakes

Came Back Well off of Injury

24. Melvin Swift, Yates

Human Highlight Reel

25.  Joey Trinkle, The Woodlands

Broke Out During Senior Season

 

The Top 25 GIRLS' Hoopers

1. Loryn Goodwin, Cy Falls

Missing Piece to Falls Puzzle

2. Courtney Williams, North Shore

McDonalds' All-American

3. Kayla Nevitt, Dekaney

Future Bright for Sophomore

4. Brooke McCarty, Clear Springs

Big Heart for Small Guard

5. Brianna Turner, Manvel

Could be Top Recruit in 2014

6. Veja Hamilton, Klein Collins

Willed the Tigers Through Season

7. Akunna Elonu, Elsik

Great Career as Ram

8. Sadalia Ellis, Cy Falls

Leader of the Nest

9. A.J. Alix, Bellaire

Should be Even Better as Senior

10. Kendall Shaw, Barbers Hill

SEC Ready

11. Alexis Durley, Dekaney

Great QB for State Finalists

12. Anna Strickland, The Woodlands

Did Dirty Work for Highlanders

13. Brentley Branch, Clear Creek

Quick Ball Hawk

14. Brianna Taylor, Dekaney

Calm to Dekaney's 2012 Season

15. Taylor Gilbert, Hightower

Top Player in Fort Bend

16. Crystal Porter, Elsik

Super Steady

17. Shernise Robertson, Cy Falls

Part of Eagle's Magical Season

18. Jessieka Palmer, La Marque

Rough and Tumble Scorer

19. Paige Bradley, The Woodlands

Pure Point Guard; Headed to Denver

20. Makenzi May, Barbers Hill

Giant Killers Reached State

21. Shunta Nevitt, Dekaney

Amazing Wildcat Squad

22. Tiffany Davis, Westbury Christian

One of Top Private Schoolers in State

23. Raven Burns, Bellaire

Calm and Cool on the Court

24. Aaliyah Brown, Clear Springs

Will be a Nice College Player

25. Kendra Cooper, John Cooper

Lower Competition, but Put Up Big Numbers

 

The Top 5 Tee-to-Greeners

1. Matt Dunn, Cy Creek

Top Houston Finisher at State Meet

2. Fernando Cruz, The Woodlands

Took Home Third at State; Led Highlanders to Gold

3. Lauren Lindsey, Montgomery

Top 4A Finisher as Bears Won State

4. Cheyenne Knight, The Woodlands

Highlanders Finish Second Overall; Freshman gets  Top 10

5. Ryan Bell, Travis

Travis Got Third; Bell Gets Seventh Overall

 

The Top 5 Netters

1. Mariam Zein, Dulles

Brought Home Gold in Class 5A Girls

2. Nick Nauman, College Park

Fell in Tight One in State Finals

3. Kelly Zhu, Pearland Dawson

Reached the Class 4A State Finals

4. Meslissa Burckhartt, Klein Oak

Lost to Eventual State Champ

5. Kevin Wang, Clear Lake

Nice Run to State Tourney

 

The Top 10 Boys' Tracksters (Excluding Long Distance)

1. Kyle Fulks, Katy

Junior Could Be Fastest Man in Houston

2. Ahmed Ali, Hastings

Won Regional 200-Meters

3. Jermaine Authorlee, North Shore

Alabama-Commit Led Mustangs Back to State

4. Cameron Burrell, Ridge Point

Living Up to Famous Name

5. Terrell Clement, Kempner

Explosive Hurdler

6. Emmanuel Ogbah, Bush

State Top Discus Thrower

7. Larry McDuffey, North Shore

Football Player Can Run and Jump With Best in State

8. Eric Janise, The Woodlands

Arkansas-Commit Is Versatile

9. Reese Watson, Spring, Pole

Top Pole Vaulter in State

10. Deante Gray, Westside

Stanford Going to Love his Speed on Football Field

 

The Top 10 Girl Oval Artists

1. Asia Roberts, Summer Creek

Off to State in Several Events

2. Alaysha Johnson, Westfield (100m hurdles)

Hurdling Specialist

3. Katie Willard, The Woodlands

Houston's Top 800-Meter Runner

4. Meschelle Gills, Manvel

Qualified for State in a Few Events

5. Brittany Wooten, Tomball

State's Top Pole Vaulter

6. Mayorca Young, Lamar

Next In Line of Lamar Runners

7. Maureen Redmond, Channelview

Best High Jump in Texas Entering State

8. Lauryn Caldwell, Dickinson

Amazing Thrower

9. Jessica Hatchett, Montgomery

North Houston Speedster

10. Jordan Highsmith, Hightower

Has the Genes to be Top Athlete

 

Top 10 Diamond Divas

1. Samantha Show, Pearland

Freshman Dominated

2. Caitlin Bartsch, The Woodlands

Soph Has Become Ace

3. Katie Doerre, Tomball

Best Power Hitter In Houston

4.Karri Smith, Alvin

Ace on Top Houston Team

5.Mickenzi Krpec, Foster

Crushes the Ball

6. Shannon O'Connor, Dobie

Not Power Pitcher, But Effective

7. Haley Beam, Pearland

Has Had Great 2012 Season

8. Courtney Klingler, Manvel

Powered Mavs Through Season

9. Laura Driskill, Cy-Fair

Senior Goes Out in Style

10. Katie Marks, Katy

Led Charge for Tiger Nation

 

Super 7 Soccer Studs

1. Kylie Hambleton, Seven Lakes

Shut Down Goalie

2. Luis Gonzalez, Morton Ranch

State Finalist Goalie

3. Amanda Fox, Klein Oak

Led Panthers to Uncharted Territory

4. Hannah Perry, Friendswood

Mustang Talent

5. Emily Taylor, The Woodlands

Nebraska-Commit is True Talent

6. Kara Marshall, Kingwood

One of Many 'Stang Goal-Scorers

7. Jeremy Batiste, Morton Ranch

Shut Down Defender

 

Top 10 Diamond Cutters

1. Rex Hill, Tomball

Aggie-Commit is Tremendous Lefty        

2. Jeremy Montalbano, Seven Lakes

Led the Spartan Nation

3. Jake Jarvis, Klein Collins

Sophomore Led One of Area's Top Teams

4. Kohl Stewart, St. Pius

Dual-Sport Private School Star

5. Dustin Theiss, Klein Oak

Glue to the Oak

6.Austin Dean, Klein Collins

Offensive Spark for Tigers

7.Leon Byrd, Cypress Ridge

Spark Plug Headed to Rice

8. Kevin McCanna, The Woodlands

Great Season; Fluke in Playoff

9. Mitchell Traver, Houston Christian

Professional Upside is Tremendous

10.Austin Fairchild, Cy Fair
Leader of the Den