HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Boys
Garrison Taska, Kingwood Park
Notable: The senior pitcher/designated hitter blanked Lumberton in a one-game, bi-district playoff, posting 16 strikeouts with no walks and one hit allowed on 90 pitches in a complete-game 5-0 win. Taska also went 1-for-3 with a single and a walk, helping the Panthers return to the area round for the fifth straight year.
What coach Bruce Cox said: “Garrison was brilliant in his start against Lumberton. He got stronger as the game went on, picking up 16 strikeouts along the way. He attacked the zone and only reached a three-ball count three times in the game. It was an absolutely dominating performance.”
Other nominees
Chandler Jozwiak, Brenham: The senior pitched a perfect game in Game 1 of the Cubs’ 2-1 series win over Eastview. Jozwiak struck out 11 and faced the minimum 15 through five innings in the 10-0 win, then ended the game early with a run- scoring triple in the fifth. He was 3-for-3 with two RBIs at the plate.
Eduardo Malinowski, Klein Oak: The senior utility player went 5-for-7 in a pair of 12-1 victories over old district rival Westfield in the bidistrict playoffs, including a grand slam in Game 2 of the series sweep.
Jacob Millender, Lamar: The 6-4 senior ace recorded a completegame shutout of Cypress Falls in Game 1 of the Texans’ bi-district sweep, striking out 10 with two hits allowed. He also went 2-for-3 at the plate. Jason McDaniel
Girls
Tierrah Williams, Atascocita
Notable: After giving up a first-inning home run, Williams went on to strike out 11 batters in seven innings in Atascocita’s 4-3 win over Dawson in Game 2 of the teams’ Class 6A area-round playoff series.
What coach Ashley Boyd said: “She’s never one to really get rattled. She’s going to go at you with her best stuff every day.”
Other nominees
Ashley Koncir, Cypress Ranch: She struck out nine and allowed six hits and a walk in seven innings as the Mustangs defeated Clements in the Class 6A area round.
Emily Langkamp, The Woodlands: Ina two-game sweep of Richardson Pearce in the Class 6A area round playoffs, Langkamp pitched in eight of the 10 innings, striking out six and giving up one walk with one earned run. She was also 5-for-6 with a triple and an RBI in the series.
Mackenzie Mays, Oak Ridge: After Coppell used a six-run sixth inning to tie Game 2 of the teams’ Class 6A area-round playoff series at eight, Mays led the seventh inning off with a single and scored the winning run for the War Eagles. Oak Ridge eventually won the series in three games.