Berth race going down to the wire
Spartans fighting for postseason life in District 19-5A
The Stratford girls soccer team missed a trip to the Class 5A playoffs a year ago, but the Spartans are determined not to let it happen again.
After dropping a 1-0 decision to Tomball Memorial, Stratford blanked Magnolia West 2-0 to even its overall record at 6-6-1 and move to 2-31 in District 19-5A.
“I thought we played well against Tomball Memorial, but they had a lovely goal,” said Stratford head coach Gena McGee. “I’m really proud of way we bounced back against Magnolia West. We played well.”
Admittedly, the Spartans have plenty of work to do to reach the postseason. While Brenham is the front-runner in District 19-5A, the other three spots are up for grabs with Magnolia, Stratford, Tomball and Tomball Memorial part of a crowded field.
“Our district is competitive. There will be one or two good teams that won’t make the playoffs,” McGee said. “We were fifth last year and just missed it. Hopefully, it won’t happen to us again.”
McGee is encouraged about Stratford’s pros- pects, largely due to emer-
gence of rising freshmen such as A.K. Ford, Olivia Green and Georgia Henkel.
Henkel is part of the Spartans’ three-player rotation at goalkeeper. Henkel splits time with senior Carsen Durham, with senior Maddy Batiz coming offthe bench.
“Most teams are lucky to have one goalie, but we have three of them,” McGee said.
Senior Jessie Bernstein, a three-year starter, powers the defense. Bernstein and junior Kate Moses are the central defenders, while junior Jessica Sheldon and senior Julia Corteguera are on the outside.
“Jessie is the one who keeps everyone calm and things under control,” McGee said.
Green anchors the midfield along with juniors Hannah Broom and Gracie Jones, with juniors Olivia Siciliano and Katie Troutman getting significant playing time.
Stratford is young at the forward position, with Ford and sophomores Sydney Lawrence and Sarah Nicholas leading the way.
Julia Davis, another 10th-grader, is key backup at both midfielder and forward.
McGee noted that Spartans need to finish the first half of District 19-5A play well before the stretch run
Next up for Stratford is a home contest against Magnolia at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19. Tankers eye state
Stratford is aiming for a pair of podium finishes at the University Interscholastic League State Swimming and Diving Championships this week at the University of Texas in Austin.
Swimming and diving preliminaries will take place Friday, Feb. 19, at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center, with the finals are Saturday, Feb. 20.
A year ago, Stratford’s girls finished as the Class 5Astate runner-up-behind Austin Vandegrift, while the boys placed third.
Stratford head coach Mike Hoskovec believes it’s possible for his squads to duplicate those finishes. After all, the Spartans qualified acombined eight individuals in 11 events and all six relays, which could deliver big points.
“We have a lot of girls qualified, even if they aren’t seeded high in their individual events. A couple of our boys probably have greater point potential,” Hoskovec said. “But the key to our success is our relays.”
Stratford’s girls expect to reach the A finals in the 200-yard medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays, perhaps winning a medal or two.
Senior diver Jordan Ransom hopes to improve on last year’s sixth-place finish in diving, while senior Erika Stephenson (100 and 200 freestyle), junior Brittany Baerg (100 breaststroke) and sophomore Morgen Reyna (200 individual medley) are returning state qualifiers, either on their own or as part of relays.
The Spartans’ safest bet might be freshman Emma Stephenson (50 freestyle, 100 butterfly).
Onthe boys’ side, sophomore Clayton Bobo is the one to watch. At last year’s state meet, Bobo was part of Stratford’s victorious 200 and 400 freestyle relays, grabbed a silver medal in the 50 freestyle and placed seventh in the 100 butterfly.
Hoskovec thinks Bobo could do even better. He posted the fastest qualifying time in the 50 freestyle and is the No. 2 seed in the 100 freestyle with respective times of 20.69 and 45.63 seconds, respectively.
Bobo also anchors Stratford’s 400 freestyle relay, which is seeded No. 1 overall (3:13.91).
“We thought about putting Clayton in the 100 fly again, but we decided on the 100 free,” Hoskovec said. “He’s really improved in that event.”
In addition to its three relays, Stratford’s boys will be represented by sophomore Cory Stephenson (100 breaststroke) and freshman Kaivon Dixon (diving).