Mouton finishes what Sims starts as Katy keeps season alive with win over Taylor
Katy junior guard Chermane Sims had 19 points in Tuesday’s big win over Taylor to keep the Tigers’ season alive.

BY DENNIS SILVA II | email: densilva2@gmail.com

During the fourth quarter of a close game Tuesday evening, a win-or-go-home contest for Katy High in the District 19-6A regular season finale, Justus Mouton could not have been calmer.

Whenever Taylor, which had impressively rallied from a 15-point third quarter deficit to force a 43-all tie with 5:12 left, threatened, the senior guard took control, finishing what teammate Chermane Sims had started.

Mouton scored 14 of his 19 points in the final period as Katy outlasted Taylor 59-54 at Taylor High, forcing a three-way tie along with Mayde Creek as all three teams finished 5-7 in 19-6A. Because of tiebreaker rules, Mayde Creek advances to the playoffs and will be the third seed. Katy and Taylor, which split the district season series, will partake in a playoff play-in game for District 19-6A’s final playoff spot later this week at a time and place to be determined.

Continue reading “Mouton finishes what Sims starts as Katy keeps season alive with win over Taylor” →

Hunter, Wiley spark Morton Ranch to intense 2-OT win to advance to postseason
Morton Ranch senior guard D’Andrea Hunter scored 22 of her game-high 27 points to lift Morton Ranch to a 71-68 two-overtime win over Cinco Ranch at Paetow High on Saturday.

BY DENNIS SILVA II | email: densilva2@gmail.com

Morton Ranch girls basketball coach Kisha Jones gambled and won.

During the second overtime of Saturday’s District 19-6A playoff play-in game at Paetow High, with the Mavericks tied with Cinco Ranch at 68 with 3 seconds left, Jones called a play that Cinco Ranch was familiar with.

She threw in a wrinkle, however. It might work, it might not, Jones thought. Her players might see it, they might not.

Continue reading “Hunter, Wiley spark Morton Ranch to intense 2-OT win to advance to postseason” →

Morton Ranch’s rapid rise continues as first district title secured with big win

BY DENNIS SILVA II | email: densilva2@gmail.com

Junior center Eddie Lampkin had a tough time choosing which pass of his was his most favorite: a high-low, quick bullet pass to a cutting teammate or a behind-the-back pass to another teammate moments later.

Junior guard LJ Cryer was impressed with his team’s energy. Junior guard Westley Sellers emphasized teamwork and leadership.

Friday’s 81-58 win over Taylor wasn’t just another game for No. 17 state-ranked Morton Ranch. It secured the program’s first district championship. Still, it was a loose, fun contest for the Mavericks, complete with smiles, playful celebration with teammates and laughs. A significant step forward for a program that has grown leaps and bounds in a relatively short period of time.

Continue reading “Morton Ranch’s rapid rise continues as first district title secured with big win” →

Seven Lakes’ Ugwoegbu has help along way to Oklahoma
David Ugwoegbu, sitting, poses for a photo with Mike Hunsucker, Kay Hunsucker and mother Grace standing behind him in celebrating his signing to Oklahoma on National Signing Day on Wednesday.

BY DENNIS SILVA II | email: densilva2@gmail.com

Jimmy Hamon’s first impression of David Ugwoegbu came not via the film room or a stat sheet.

It came whenever he checked out Ugwoegbu’s Twitter page not long after he was hired on as head coach at Seven Lakes High in late February of 2018.

“The first thing I noticed is when I looked at his social media, you don’t see what you see with every other kid,” Hamon said. “He didn’t have all 21 offers pinned to his profile. He had a big one there in Alabama, but it was the only one sitting there, and honestly, if you didn’t know any better, you wouldn’t know just how national of a recruit he was.”

Continue reading “Seven Lakes’ Ugwoegbu has help along way to Oklahoma” →

Collymore, Cinco Ranch headed back to playoffs
Cinco Ranch junior forward Jayden Collymore

BY DENNIS SILVA II | email: densilva2@gmail.com

Growth, tangible and otherwise, has been substantial for Cinco Ranch.

After a 14-20 campaign last season, the Cougars rebounded impressively this season, with the same core of precocious talent, after Tuesday’s 53-60 win over Taylor at home booked a ticket to the Class 6A playoffs beginning in two weeks.

Aside from star senior sharpshooter Jaron Presley, who is one of the top 10 scorers in the city of Houston, the Cougars have a roster of gifted playmakers that leave fans grasping for their game programs because they fly under the proverbial radar.

But guys like junior forward Jayden Collymore, senior guard Jerzy Tati, junior forward Derek Dickenscheidt and senior wing Andrew Adebo have all starred in leading Cinco Ranch back to the postseason.

Continue reading “Collymore, Cinco Ranch headed back to playoffs” →

Mata, Foster geared for another run to Austin
Richmond Foster senior outfielder Ciarra “CiCi” Mata.

BY DENNIS SILVA II | email: densilva2@gmail.com

Austin has become a familiar home for Foster softball during June.

The Falcons made their second appearance in six years at the state tournament last season after punching their inaugural ticket to state in 2013.

So, after graduating only four seniors, the M.O. for 2019 is simple, if not predictable, for Foster, which fell to Forney, 4-1, in the Class 5A state championship game in 2018.

“To not come up short and win a state title,” senior outfielder Ciarra “CiCi” Mata said.

Continue reading “Mata, Foster geared for another run to Austin” →

Mayde Creek star Williams reaches 1,000-point mark
Mayde Creek players, coaches and cheerleaders celebrate Rommell Williams Jr. (center, holding a commemorative basketball) crossing the 1,000-point career mark on Friday during a win over Seven Lakes.

BY DENNIS SILVA II | email: densilva2@gmail.com

With 13 points during Friday’s District 19-6A win over Seven Lakes, Mayde Creek junior point guard Rommell Williams Jr. eclipsed the 1,000-point career scoring mark, a celebratory occasion that was met with cake and a commemorative basketball afterward.

Williams has emerged as one of the more underrated prospects in the Class of 2020. The 6-foot-2, 164-pounder is averaging 17.5 points, 4.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game for the 20-12 Rams, who won nine total games the previous two seasons.

But all Williams cares about is winning. The numbers are nice. But being in playoff contention in early February is even nicer.

Coaches and his father, Rommell Williams Sr., talk about Williams’ preference to discuss team and winning more so than his statistics or accolades. Mayde Creek is a winner this season, and that’s what matters most to the soft-spoken young man.

Continue reading “Mayde Creek star Williams reaches 1,000-point mark” →

Metcalfe looking to keep Seven Lakes on track
Seven Lakes interim head coach Darryl Metcalfe talks to his team following its 2-0 win over Cinco Ranch on Saturday at Legacy Stadium.

BY DENNIS SILVA II | email: densilva2@gmail.com

The first 11 games of the season have felt like twice that many for Seven Lakes.

“We’ve had a dramatic start,” senior goalkeeper Andre Schlaefli understated.

A new head coach. Injuries to key players. Players competing in new positions.

And yet, through it all, the Spartans are 9-0-2, and 1-0-1 in District 19-6A, following Saturday’s 2-0 win over reloading Cinco Ranch at Legacy Stadium.

Continue reading “Metcalfe looking to keep Seven Lakes on track” →

Seven Lakes closes 19-6A with furious rally, eyes playoffs
Seven Lakes senior forward Kayla Kalisek hit two big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter Friday to help rally the Spartans to a big overtime win.

BY DENNIS SILVA II | email: densilva2@gmail.com

Now they wait.

Seven Lakes closed an impressive run to close District 19-6A play on Friday night, edging Mayde Creek 32-30 in two overtimes at home to cap off a surprising push for the playoffs.

The Spartans (12-15, 6-6 19-6A) have won five of their last six games after starting the district campaign 1-5. With the furious finish, they have placed themselves in position to contend for the program’s ninth postseason berth since 2006. With the inexperience on a team that graduated eight seniors from last year, playing into mid-February would be a welcomed sight.

Continue reading “Seven Lakes closes 19-6A with furious rally, eyes playoffs” →

Welcome!
281 Sports Unlimited founder Dennis Silva II, right, interviewing Katy Taylor defensive end and Texas A&M commit Braedon Mowry in August 2018.

Hello all, and welcome to 281 Sports Unlimited.

My name is Dennis Silva II. I have been a print and digital sports writer/editor since 2005, working for a plethora of newspapers and magazines from Katy to Laredo to Corpus Christi to McAllen to Houston. I’ve worked for such newspapers and magazines as The Katy Times, The Monitor (McAllen, TX), and VYPE, and freelanced as a writer for other papers like the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, San Antonio Express-News and Houston Chronicle.

A native of San Antonio, but raised in Houston, I am starting this website covering high school sports in the 281 area code of west Houston, specifically Katy and surrounding areas. Here, you will find profiles, features, enterprise stories, Q & As, and anything else regarding coverage of the premier athletes, coaches and teams in the area. I have built a career out of telling stories, particularly for student-athletes and coaches in Texas, and intend to do the same here.

As always, I’m always looking for ideas or tips, so please do not hesitate to contact me. My email is densilva2@gmail.com, or drop me a DM on Twitter @densilva2.

Thanks for following, and I hope you enjoy the ride!