Look for new 6A state champion amid plenty of 40-win teams
Will a new Class 6A champ emerge?
Carrollton Hebron is the three-time reigning 6A state champion, and it was barely challenged last year, rolling over both of the Houston area’s representatives, The Woodlands and Seven Lakes, in three sets at the state tournament. But the Hawks, only a three-seed entering this postseason, are opening with Southlake Carroll, and plenty of 40-win teams emerged as legitimate challengers this year. Look for the UIL to crown a new 6A queen in November.
Can Needville repeat?
The Bluejays were the only team in the Chronicle’s coverage area to secure a state title last year, winning the 4A championship, which was the first for a Houston team since The Woodlands won 6A in 2014. The Jays enjoyed a solid follow-up, going 35-8, but they dropped a warmup match with Tompkins, a 6A four-seed, and there is no shortage of contenders in the class, including 39-1 Huffman Hargrave, newcomer Fulshear and Glen Rose, which made the state semis last year.
Who will win 6A Region III?
Seven Lakes won the region last year. Clear Creek did it in 2016, Fort Bend Austin in 2015, Clear Falls in 2014 and so on. In other words, a new regional champ is likely to emerge. The best guess here is Ridge Point claims its first regional crown. They made their second regional tourney two years ago and broke multiple school records this season en route to a sparkling 41-4 record. They have the longest winning streak in the state in 6A heading into the playoffs at 27 consecutive games.
Does Houston still run 6A Region II?
It looks that way. The Woodlands or Oak Ridge won the region each of the last five years, and their district was as difficult as ever this season, with Klein posting its second straight 30-win season. The region also received a boost from the addition of teams like Cypress Ranch and Tomball Memorial, which tied for the 14-5A championship. Squads to watch out for include Copperas Cove, which won a 40 matches, Waco Midway, Vandegrift, Prosper, Sachse and Rockwall Heath.
What’s going on in Class 5A?
Prosper claimed the 5A crown last year before moving up to 6A, but that doesn’t necessarily open the door for the Houston area, which hasn’t produced a state champion in the UIL’s second-highest classification since Friendswood won 4A in 1994. Kingwood Park, undefeated in 20-5A, is a legitimate contender, as are Friendswood, Foster, Manvel and newcomer Shadow Creek. But the favorites, including Lucas Lovejoy and Denton, still hail from outside Region III.
Players to watch • Skylar Fields, Ridge Point
The 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter who is committed to Texas is looking to go out on top after a stellar high school career that includes back-to-back undefeated district titles.
• Karli Rose, Tomball Memorial
The 5-foot-6 senior setter led the Wildcats to a co-district title in their first 6A season. She boasts 552 kills, 369 assists and 308 digs — and she’s one of seven area players committed to LSU. • Brooke Frazier, Tomball Concordia Lutheran
The sophomore libero who is an early pledge to Texas A&M helped transform the Crusaders into district champs and TAPPS 6A state championship contenders in her first season.
• Allysa Batenhorst, Seven Lakes
The 6-foot-4 sophomore outside hitter helped the Spartans secure the 19-6A crown. The Nebraska pledge is one of five players on the roster committed to a college team. • Dylan Maberry, The Woodlands
The 6-foot junior outside hitter, another LSU verbal, helped the Highlanders return to state last year and go undefeated in district this season. She’s one of the state’s best hitters, boasting 662 kills in 47 matches. Matches to watch • Tompkins vs. Ridge Point, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wheeler Field House
The Panthers (41-14) are expected to go deep in the playoffs, but this is a pretty tough first-round matchup for the 20-6A champs. The Falcons (31-11) tied for third in 19-6A.
• Clear Brook vs. George Ranch, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Hopson Field House
A deep 24-6A field sets up another promising bi-district playoff, sending Clear Brook (23-16) in as a four-seed. The Longhorns (36-8) won the 23-6A championship. • Clear Falls vs. Pearland, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Phillips Field House
The Knights (27-15), second in 24-6A, are looking to return to the regional tournament, but first they must move past Pearland (24-15), which took third in 23-6A.
• Crosby vs. Port Neches-Groves, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sam Rayburn
Can the Crosby (22-7) girls avenge the loss to PN-G that sent the school’s football team spiraling? The Cougars and Indians (32-6) split a pair of tourney matches this season.
• Huffman Hargrave vs. Silsbee, 7 p.m. Monday, East Chambers
The highly regarded Hargrave Falcons (39-1), undefeated in 21-4A, open with a familiar opponent in Silsbee, which they’ve dispatched in each of the last two postseasons.