Houston area talent boasts some star power
The Houston area has no shortage of returning star power this season, with several players headed to some of the top college programs after outstanding high school careers.
The region should prove highly competitive once again. Here are some of the many standouts to watch.
Amy Abke, Sr., P, Seven Lakes
Abke, who signed with Sam Houston State, has been a fixture in the circle for the Spartans and looks to add to her school record of more than 800 career strikeouts. She fanned 386 last year, while recording a 1.14 earned run average and .162 opponents batting average in 220 innings. The USSSA All-American and AllGreater Houston firstteam selection adds power from the leadoff spot for Seven Lakes.
Ava Brown, Sr., P, Lake Creek
Brown is the reigning Gatorade Texas Player of the Year, Texas Sports Writers Association Class 5A Player of the year and two-time All-Greater Houston Pitcher of the Year after leading the Lions to a 41-0 state championship. Brown, who signed with the Florida, struck out 335 batters while walking 23 and posting a 0.46 ERA with a 30-0 record in 1831⁄3 innings.
Hailey Golden, Sr., OF, Pearland
Golden, who signed with Texas A&M, continued a stellar career with a .625 average, .674 on-base percentage, .741 slugging percentage, 24 RBIs, 61 runs and 37 stolen bases. She was equally impressive with the glove, playing an errorless season to earn Scorebook Live AllEast Texas Defensive Player of the Year, as well as All-Greater Houston, TXSWA all-state and NFCA All-American honors.
Cameryn Harrison, Jr., P, Katy
Harrison, who committed to Arkansas in the fall, anchors a perrennial power in the circle and at the plate, earning All-Greater Houston firstteam honors as a sophomore. She compiled a 0.66 ERA and 217 strikeouts in 1171⁄3 innings last year, batting .495 with a .538 on-base percentage, 1.000 slugging percentage, 11 home runs and 50 RBIs.
Kayden Henry, Sr., OF, Dickinson
A highly rated college prospect, Henry signed with the University of Texas. Henry hit .444 with a .493 on-base percentage, .683 slugging percentage, 21 runs and 31 stolen bases. She batted over .500 as a freshman and sophomore with the Gators.
Victoria Hunter, Sr., SS, St. Pius X
A future teammate of Henry, Hunter has dominated TAPPS, including a .618 average, 12 home runs, 45 RBIs and 52 runs as a junior. The returning All-Greater Houston selection is a three-time TAPPS all-state honoree and boasts career numbers including 32 home runs and 119 RBIs.
Ariel Kowalewski, Sr., C/P, Travis
Kowalewski starred at catcher for the Tigers and stepped into the circle with strong results last year, striking out 156 in 113 innings. She remained a force at the plate, hitting .663 with a .728 on-base percentage, 1.108 slugging percentage, four home runs, 25 RBIs and 47 runs.
Alannah Leach, Sr., OF, The Woodlands
Along with sister Gabby Leach, the Highlanders have an exceptional University of Tennessee-bound duo in the outfield. Alannah Leach hit .478 as a junior, with a .513 onbase percentage, .724 slugging percentage, four home runs, 45 RBIs, 42 runs and a 1.000 fielding percentage.
Maddie McKee, Sr., SS, Lake Creek
McKee was the AllGreater Houston Hitter of the Year after a tremendous junior year for the state champs. The LSU signee hit .511 with a .554 on-base percentage, an .851 slugging percentage, seven home runs, 47 RBIs, 70 runs and 77 stolen bases while earning TXSWA first-team allstate honors.
Kasidi Pickering, Sr., OF, Atascocita
Pickering takes one of the area’s most powerful swings to the University of Oklahoma. As a junior, she batted .608 with a .689 on-base percentage, 1.195 slugging percentage, 14 home runs, 49 RBIs and 52 runs.
Honorable mention
Reagan Jones, Sr., SS, Alvin; Ella McDowell, Jr., SS, Foster; Sidne Peters, Sr., P, Santa Fe; Abigail Gutierrez, Sr., P, Pearland; Kalee Rochinski, Sr., C, Lake Creek; Addyson Sheppard, Soph., SS, Kingwood; Peyton Tanner, Jr., P, Brazoswood; Towsen Thomas, Jr., OF, Episcopal; Sonia Zhang, Sr., P, St. John’s; Kaelyn Zusi, Sr., 1B, The Woodlands.