sticky

4 seniors lead Barbers Hill volleyball team By Michael Pineda Baytown Sun Published October 30, 2006 Although Barbers Hill has not been a fixture long in high school volleyball, the school is recognized as a regional and state power thanks to some unbelievable early success. In only six years, the Eagles have advanced to the state championship game as well as a regional final. When the Eagles suit up for their first 4A playoff run Tuesday at Lee College against Santa Fe, there will be four seniors which have stood the test of time. Part of an original class of more than 30 players, Leslie Browder, Courtney Johnson, Claire Wright and Brittany Connally are all that remain. They are also the first four girls at Barbers Hill to have played volleyball for all six years. “I was out there when there was over 30 of them in first period,†BH head coach John Leonard said. “By the time they got there and got dressed out, we were only able to practice for 35 minutes. You never know which ones are going to make it all the way through. I don’t know if you would say they have survived or if they have stood the test of time. “We knew this class would be the one that would put us on an even keel with all of the other schools.†The girls’ first introduction to volleyball came in a camp following their sixth grade year. “The first thing that I remember is Coach Leonard drew I’s on the back of our thumbs,†Wright said. “He taught us wherever the eyes were looking that was where the ball would go.†All four girls made the “A†team their seventh grade year in tryouts. Browder had a more difficult test in her tryout as she missed the original due to illness. “I was sick and I didn’t get to go,†Browder said. “All my friends made the ‘A’ team and I was scared that I was going to make the ‘B’ team. I had a private tryout and made it.†Each of the girls had their own reasons for going out for volleyball. Although none of the girls had any prior experience in the sport whatsoever, it didn’t take them long to fall for it. “All I knew was that the ball was white and that is was supposed to go over the net,†Browder said. “The only reason that I played was that I was not any good,†Connally said. “I used to play a lot of soccer, and I quit after I switched to volleyball. We were not very good. I think we had a pretty decent record, but looking at seventh grade teams now, we don’t compare.†“My dad thought it was something that I would like,†Johnson said. “I always liked basketball more but last year I switched fulltime to volleyball. The first person I told about making the ‘A’ team was my dad. I never thought that when I took the team picture that year that it would be posted all across school.†Since that time the Eagle seniors have seen the program evolve into a 3A power. The transition to 4A power will begin Tuesday night in an area round match against Santa Fe. Barbers Hill enters the game as champions of District 21-4A where they held a 14-0 record. “Now that we are in 4A, a lot of people don’t think we are going to do good,†Browder said. “It would be very good if we could prove them wrong.†“I think we could be better,†Wright said. “The competition level is starting to pick up, and we could always improve.†Regardless of what transpires during the playoffs, the Eagles have gained by not only knowing success on the court but by having success off the court and by the relationships developed. “Volleyball means everything to me,†Johnson said. “With Coach Leonard it has meant working hard for something and staying focused but not forgetting the rest of your everyday life.†“We’re not just friends on the court but off as well,†Connally said. “We actually bring what we have off the court into our matches, and not many teams can say that.â€

Nothing but a thing. I think it was a bunch of girls.

I believe all the talking was done by Jody and BHFan. I do not think they played sports in high school and probably didn't understand that it was just a srimmage (I think they know now and were probably wishing they hadn't said a few things they did).

Told ya.

Now this is really funny. A downtrodden and dying section of the state is accusing a very diverse, growing, and economically stable area of fostering their problems. Go figure.

You don't recognize WOS92?

Looks like the place was in the homecoming spirit.

If Nederland gets with three thouchdowns of Dayton I'll be surprised.

Crosby by a whole lot. Huffman just doesn't have any weapons.

I think WOS is better than last year. I don't think that D2 will even challenge them this year (although I wish they would lose in the first round).

Don't have a clue what you mean.

BH has homcoming tonight. That should be interesting. Heels and mud.

Crosby’s season ends with loss to LC-M By Michael Pineda Baytown Sun Published October 27, 2006 Most volleyball teams which face Crosby come into the match looking to take away junior Brittany Hoag. Thursday night the Lady Cougars did Little Cypress-Mauriceville a favor. They did it themselves. Thanks to poor passing and decision making on the floor, Crosby turned Hoag into a glorified defensive specialist for most of the night and consequently bowed out of the Class 4A playoffs in a 25-15, 25-18, 21-25, 25-17 bi-district loss. “We did the same thing against Barbers Hill,†CHS head coach Stephanie Cone said. “We just didn’t get her (Hoag) the ball. We came out flat and it’s been like this the last six or seven games. It’s a young team but that can’t be an excuse anymore. We tipped all day long and we don’t even have a tip drill.†For the better part of the night Crosby played tentativelky, choosing to tip the ball rather than play with power. The Lady Cougars looked listless in the first game, falling behind 12-6 before getting a spark from Courtney Nutt, who blocked two shots in a row to pull CHS within 12-6. Crosby was not finished as they pulled even closer on a couple of Kortnie Willis kills and another block by Nutt which made the score 14-10. But from that point on, the Lady Bears took control and put the game away. LC-M’s 6-3 middle blocker had five kills in the game but Hoag was limited to one, and that came late in the game. The second game was not much better for Crosby as they fell behind 22-11. The Lady Cougars did catch some life as Hoag jumpstarted a run with a block and a kill. An ace by Willis following an LCM timeout kept CHS rolling as they closed to within six at 22-16. The rally was too late as the Lady Bears pulled through to take a commanding 2-0 lead. To Crosby’s credit they did not give up and looked like a much different team in the third game. The Lady Cougars got Hoag involved early and it paid dividends as she picked up three early kills. LC-M led through much of the match but the Lady Cougars finally pulled it together. Trailing 17-13, the Lady Cougars scored six points the last three coming on a block and two kills by Hoag. The Lady Bears pulled within one at 22-21 but Crosby closed the game out to pull within a game. Momentum continued to roll in Crosby’s favor in the fourth game as Hoag and Willis led the Lady Cougars to a 9-3 lead. Trailing 13-9, the Lady Bears took the wind of Crosby’s sails with a 7-0 run to take a 16-13 lead. LC-M increased the lead to 22-16 before a hitting mistake gave the Lady Cougars the serve. It was to little avail, as Crosby hit the ball out on three of the last four points to end their season. Crosby closed the year out with a 22-8 record.

Well then, tell him to transfer to Barbers Hill. He can sit out a couple of weeks and be ready for the playoffs--if we make it.

Oct. 25, 2006, 12:23AM 4A VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFF PREVIEW District winners use balancing act Barbers Hill, Friendswood have lots of versatility By JENNY DIAL Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Two of the area's top Class 4A teams have the same mindset heading into the volleyball playoffs. Both Barbers Hill and Friendswood coaches say their teams need to remain as well-rounded as they have been all season. Such versatility could result in deep playoff runs. Barbers Hill, which made the jump to 4A from 3A, finished 14-0 in District 21-4A. "I don't think we were ever fazed by the idea of playing 4A," Barbers Hill coach John Leonard said. "And 4A teams around here never underestimated us. It was a very smooth transition." Barbers Hill's district championship proves just how smooth it was. The Eagles (29-7) don't have one standout player, Leonard said. Instead, Barbers Hill relies on balance. "We have come a long way," Leonard said. "We have a lot of players that can help us get where we want to be." Barbers Hill, which has a first-round bye, will play the winner of Thursday's Santa Fe-Lamar Consolidated matchup. Barbers Hill defeated Santa Fe twice this year but hasn't played Lamar Consolidated. "We saw them once at a tournament, but we will be there to watch them this week," Leonard said. While the Eagles are happy with the time off, they are also ready to play, Leonard said. "The whole team is just excited to get back on the court and go," he said. "We are really looking forward to it." Down to the wire Friendswood won District 23-4A after Dickinson lost to Santa Fe in the final match of the regular season. "There was a little luck to that, since we were tied with Dickinson," Friendswood coach Jerry Linch said. "But we are thrilled to have the championship and the first-round bye." Like Barbers Hill, Friendswood (30-6, 11-1 in district) is strong in many areas. "I think the greatest thing about this team is that we have different girls able to step up in every game," Linch said. "We never have to rely on just one person to carry the load for us." Friendswood will play the winner of Thursday's matchup between C.E. King and Port Neches-Groves. "We don't have an easy road," Linch said. "PN-G is a very tough team and playing them first would be hard. C.E. King could make some noise." On collision course? Friendswood and Barbers Hill could square off in the regional semifinals. "It just goes to show you how tough the road to state is," Linch said. "Here's where being able to stay focused will be so important." Other Region III-4A teams with byes are Waltrip, Nederland, Brenham and Furr. "The 4A playoffs are going to be very tough and competitive this season without a doubt," Linch said. "And having a bye doesn't mean a lot. It's nice because you get a chance for extra practice and scouting, but it doesn't mean another lower seeded team couldn't come out and beat you." [email protected]

Barbers Hill, Crosby look towards week eight By Michael Pineda Baytown Sun Published October 26, 2006 It only figures that Barbers Hill would play their homecoming game against the only opponent they have a recent history with. Friday night, the Eagles will host Huffman in what will kick off a big three-game season-ending stretch. After facing rival Huffman, the Eagles will close out the regular season against District 21-4A foes C.E. King and Galena Park. Although Huffman, which like Barbers Hill made the jump from 3A to 4A, has not enjoyed much success this season, they are coming off of their first district win after having knocked off Forest Brook, 27-25. “I think it was a good win for them,†BH head coach Don Price said. “They had to grind it out in the end. They will be ready to play us. We will have to play well and have our ‘A’ game. There is a rivalry factor and they have been a district opponent of ours for a long time. It will be a challenge.†So far this season the Eagles have accepted the challenge by starting off 7-0. Barbers Hill is in sole possession of first place in 21-4A after Crosby knocked off previously unbeaten Galena Park last week. “Everybody had their doubts about us but our coaching staff always pulls us through,†senior defensive end Kyle Cox said. “We are always prepared. The biggest challenge for us will be to keep everybody healthy and stay focused. “These are our last three games as seniors unless we make the playoffs and it adds an extra fire. This year has gone by fast, too fast.†Although the senior year is coming to an end for Cox, he will more than likely play somewhere next season. Cox is currently looking at Louisiana-Lafayette, Northwestern, University of Houston and North Texas. “Playing in college has been a goal of mine since I started playing peewee football,†Cox said. “I still have the first letter I got which was from Northwestern. I also still have the first handwritten letter which came from Oklahoma State.†The opportunities for Cox have come from hard work. This past offseason, the senior gained 22 pounds and cut his 40-yard dash time from 4.9 to 4.8 seconds. At 6-4, 240 pounds, the senior is an imposing presence for opposing quarterbacks. This week the challenge for Cox and the rest of the Barbers Hill defense will be to stop a Huffman offense that has a multitude of looks. “They may line up in the spread or they may line up in the wishbone,†Price said. “They seem to have a formation of the week and you never know what they may do. One of their most impressive kids is Cody Schexnaider. They play him all over the place.†Defensively the Falcons line up in a 3-3 stack and like to force the action with pressure. “We’ve got to win one more game to get into the playoffs,†Price said. “But your goal is always to win the district.†Crosby The Cougars will look to pick up their third win in a row this week when they travel to Forest Brook to face a Jaguar team which has the potential to upset anyone. Crosby is coming off perhaps the biggest win in the Kevin Flanigan era after they dropped Galena Park from the ranks of the unbeaten last week in a 42-20 win. “Ever since I have been here people have said that Forest Brook has the best athletes in the district,†Flanigan said. “If they get on a roll they will be tough and we don’t want to get into one of those deals.†One point of emphasis this week for Crosby has been finishing the regular season off on a roll. Last season, the Cougars entered the last two weeks of the season with a 6-2 record but dropped their last two regular season games, as well as their bi-district playoff matchup with Beaumont Central. “Practice has been great this week,†Flanigan said. “One thing we have talked about as a team is that the end of last season we lost some cohesiveness down the stretch. It is one of those things where if we don’t take care of their business it will be tough. Hopefully we can enter the playoffs on a roll.†Offensively the Jaguars will mix it up out of the spread and some I formation. The players to watch are quarterback Latron Thomas and running back Jeremy Harrison. Defensively Forest Brook will line up in a 4-3.

Lady Rangers, Kingwood wage classic battle By Michael Pineda Baytown Sun Published October 25, 2006 Sterling’s bid for the District 21-5A co-championship came up short Tuesday night but not because of a lack of effort. In a game, which met playoff standards and then some, the Lady Rangers fell to No. 5 Kingwood 25-17, 22-25, 25-23, 25-23. With the loss, RSS ended the regular season at 33-6 and 12-2 in the district, while Kingwood finished a perfect 14-0 on 21-5A. “We left it on the court tonight,†RSS head coach Nadine Horne said. “We left it, every bit of it, on the court. We had our opportunities, it just wasn’t meant to happen.†Both teams played outstanding defense throughout the match as bodies flew to the floor for digs on a regular basis. Sterling’s bid to claim their first district championship since 1997 came up short however and they will enter the playoffs as the District 21-5A runner-up. Sterling took a lead in the first game on a kill by Ashley Tadlock although it was Priscilla Massengale who set the tone early with a great dig. The Lady Rangers held the lead at 8-7 only to see Kingwood rip off a 7-0 run to take a 14-8 lead. The lead grew to 20-10 before Katie Breazeale stopped the bleeding with a block. Three more points cut the lead to 20-14 but that would be as close as RSS got in the eight-point loss. “In some spots we played intimidated in the first game,†Horne said. From the second game on Sterling looked like a completely different team going toe to toe with the defending district champion. In the first game, Destiny Mason was a non-factor offensively but that would change in a hurry. The senior logged her second kill of the night to tie the game at 3-3. Kingwood rebounded to take a 6-5 lead but the Lady Rangers responded on a kill by Mason and a block and kill by Tani Eschberger for an 8-6 lead. Sterling kept momentum in their favor as each time the Lady Mustangs would put together a surge, Mason had an answer. Kingwood pulled within one at 14-13, but Mason picked up two kills. Kingwood tied the game at 16, but Mason hit the ball to an open spot on the floor and followed up with an ace. A Tadlock kill made the score 19-16 forcing a Kingwood timeout. The Lady Mustangs came out of the timeout discombobulated, giving up a point for a misalignment. Kingwood was not finished however, as they pulled within 23-22. Mason had one more kill for game point and a ball hit out of bounds gave Sterling a 1-1 tie. The Lady Rangers came out smoking in the third game jumping out to an 8-1 lead behind three Mason kills. Kingwood put two points together but three more Sterling points made the score 11-3 and forced the second Lady Mustang timeout of the game. The RSS lead stayed at eight points with the score at 15-7 before the visitors began to work back into the game. Kingwood took the lead at 21-20 on two consecutive blocks. An Eschberger block tied the game at 21-21 and a Tadlock ace tied the game at 23-23. Kingwood closed the game out with two consecutive points for a 2-1 lead. Much like the third game, Sterling held the lead most of the game only to see it slip away at the end. The Lady Rangers found themselves trailing 10-7 before ripping off a 5-0 run. Massengale came up big with two kills and a block. Kingwood tied it up at 12-12 only to see mistakes give RSS the lead back at 15-12. Sterling’s held i’s last lead at 22-21 when the Lady Mustangs scored four consecutive points. Tadlock pulled RSS within one at 24-23 on a tip, but a kill by Kathryn Garner secured the district championship. “I normally don’t talk to the kids on the floor after the game,†Horne said. “But when they were trying to walk out with their heads down I said we weren’t going to have any of that. We just played one of the best matches that you are going to see.â€