HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Boys
Marco Castellanos, Liberty
Notable: The 5-1 senior forward scored four goals tin a a 5-0 victory against Huffman Hargrave that clinched the program’s first district championship with a 9-0 record in District 18-4A play.
What coach Joe Roberts said: “He didn’t play his sophomore year … and he came back out last year, shook the rust off, and this year he’s been our go-to guy. He scored 10 goals in district, he’s passing the ball around, and he’s definitely a problem for the other team’s defense against anyone we play.”
Other nominees
Steven Beard, The Woodlands: The junior pitched a complete-game four-hit shutout in a 1-0 win over Oak Ridge, improving the Highlanders to 2-0 in District 12-6A.
Alex Caballero, Humble: The senior infielder had six total RBIs in a pair of 11-1 wins over Baytown Lee, including going 2-for-3 with two home runs, four RBIs and a walk Friday.
Payton Hicks, Elkins: The senior DH/second baseman was a combined 4-for-7 with three doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored in wins over Shadow Creek and Manvel.
Girls
Kaitlyn Reinecke, Foster
Notable: The junior went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, three runs scored and her first career home run in a win over Terry for the state’s top-ranked Class 5A team.
What coach Keely Shuler said: “Kaitlyn hit her first home run over the fence and through our bus window. It shattered the window and landed in the bus.”
Other nominees
Laila Owens, Bush: The freshman beat a field of juniors and seniors to win the 400 meters at the TSU Relays with a time of 55.43 seconds.
Brianna Roberts, Oak Ridge: The sophomore had two goals and an assist in two must-win, playoff-clinching games.
Milan Young, Lamar: The senior won the 300-meter hurdles (42.51 seconds), finished third in the 100 hurdles (13.87) and fifth in the 100 (12.02) at the TSU Relays.