HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Boys
Anish Sriniketh, Tompkins
Notable: Tompkins has its first state champion in tennis thanks to Sriniketh’s triumphs in Class 6A boys singles at the UIL state tournament. He defeated Pearland Dawson’s defeated Kevin Zhu 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-3. What Sriniketh said:
“It just means a lot. We’re a really new school. I think it’s our fifth year. It’s great to be the first one to do anything, to be honest. It’s just a great feeling.” Other nominees
Brandon Garza, College Park: Garza allowed just one earned run on three hits in a completegame win against Oak Ridge to open the regional quarterfinal series. Luke Harrison, Lutheran South: The freshman pitcher’s two-hitter led Lutheran South to a 7-3 win over Bullard Brook Hill in the TAPPS Division II title game. Cameron Hunter, Tomball Memorial:
Hunter came up with the right play at the right time with a walk-off RBI fielder’s choice to beat Tomball 5-4 in Game 2 of the rivals’ regional quarterfinal series.
Girls
Tessa Cantrell, Fort Bend Christian
Notable: Fort Bend Christian won its sixth TAPPS state title in 11 years after a 10-0 win over Fort Worth Christian. Cantrell pitched 12 shutout innings during the weekend’s state tournament,
striking out 18 while only allowing two baserunners. She threw two no-hitters, including one to seal the championship in five innings. She suffered an ankle injury in the regional final. What coach Kelly
Carroll said: “To know the team was basically going to depend on her and go which way she went was a testament to her being able to hit her spots and pretty much dominate throughout all the playoffs. It shows how great a pitcher she is.” Other nominees
Alyssa LeBlanc, Katy: The Tigers’ junior pitcher turned in complete-game wins in games 2 and 3 of the regional semifinal series against Kingwood. Jenika Lombrana, Atascocita: Lombrana’s no-hitter set the tone for Atascocita in its regional semifinal series against Bellaire. She struck out six in that game and nine in the next while giving up one earned run and three hits for the series in 13 innings of work. Marlee Zein, Dulles:
Zein won the championship in Class 6A girls singles at the UIL state tennis championships. Zein won silver as a freshman.