What's New with the Houston Hotshots!.. 

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January 2008

Baylor Girls Article - Front Page - Back Page

Hotshots Jessica Morrow at Baylor University

January 2007

Brianna Hypolite Honored

Hotshots Players Doing Well at Baylor

January 2005

January 2005

January 2005

Jessica Morrow is joined by her parents, Edwin and Jocelyn Morrow, as she signs her letter of intent to Baylor University in November. Among the men playing basketball at the Lake Houston YMCA, you could often find one girl among the 10 players on the court. Her name is Jessica Morrow and she not only plays with the men, she often beats them. Morrow's hard work and love for the game of basketball have led her to become one of the top high school basketball players in the state of Texas. She is now in her senior year at Humble High School, and has earned a number of honors over her four years on the varsity team and a scholarship offer to Baylor University. In her ninth grade year at Humble, she not only made the varsity squad, but made an immediate impact on the team as well. She averaged double-digits in scoring and by the end of the season, she was named the district's "Newcomer of the Year." She followed that up with a stellar sophomore season in which she averaged 17 points, 5.8 rebounds and nearly three steals a game. She wasn't as vocal as her head coach Beth Jesurun would have liked her to be, but her play on the court made her an instant team leader. "I think Jessica is a great example of how athletic ability plus hard work and sacrifice can help you achieve your highest goals," said Jesurun. "She is not a flashy player who attracts a lot of attention and her game is consistent and effort steady against all opponents. I have had numerous coaches tell me they didn't think she was that good until they played her, then they are all true believers of what she means to our team." Morrow is a very athletic ball player and has great height (6'2) to complement her knowledge of the game. She has always been a student of the sport and knows what it takes to win on the floor. When she wasn't running the floor for coach Jesurun and the Wildcats, or playing pick up ball with the guys, Morrow developed her game while playing AAU ball for the Houston Hotshots, one of the best AAU teams in the country. In 2004, the Hotshots were crowned the 17 and under AAU national runner-ups at the tournament in Orlando, Fl, and took the BCI national championship. Morrow was named a BCI All-American along with her club teammate, Jhasmin Player, who currently plays at Bay City High School and will be joining Morrow at Baylor University next season. Her work ethic and commitment to strengthening her game has made her the complete player that she is today. "She is a young woman who sets goals and works to achieve those goals," added Besurun. "She sets high standards for herself and no one is more disappointed than her if she fails to maintain those goals." All of Morrow's hard work and dedication has contributed to her success thus far as an Humble Wildcat. In her junior year, she averaged 17 points, 8.7 rebounds and nearly four assists per game. She was also crowned District 22-5A MVP as she helped lead the Wildcats to the Class 5A Region III finals where she totaled 14 points in the loss to Dobie. By the end of her third season at Humble, she was named to the Texas Girls Coaches' Association's all-state team, and the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches' (TABC) all-state first team. More importantly, she caught the eyes of numerous universities and eventually committed to the Baylor University to play for a rising program under head coach Kim-Mulky Robertson. When Robertson took over the program five years ago, the Bears had just finished dead last in the Big 12 Conference. Since then, however, Baylor has made headlines this season and has been ranked as high as the number two team in the entire county. Morrow will be one of several players looking to continue the winning tradition next season at Baylor. With college in her future and more awards and achievements than she could have imagined, the only thing left for Morrow is try and take the Wildcats all the way to the state title this time around. She entered her senior year as the fourth-rated recruit in the state according to "Texas Roundball" magazine. Thus far she has exceeded all expectations and has put up some big numbers when it really counted for the Wildcats. In the season opener, she put up 23 points against Clear Brook in a 47-33 Humble victory. She has scored more than 20 points several times this season with a season-high 27 points when the Wildcats defeated Cy-Springs 64-47. She even got payback for last year's season ending loss to Dobie in the regional final. The Wildcats met the Longhorns again this season on Nov. 16 and Morrow scored 23 points as Humble defeated the reigning Region III champs. The Wildcats are in one of the toughest districts in the state this year with the defending state champs from Westfield and powerhouses like Kingwood and Spring. The race for postseason position is going to go down to the wire. One thing is for sure, Morrow has the ability to make other players around her better. She enjoys getting other players involved and that is a very important quality that many players today are lacking. As Morrow continues to grow as a player, the sky is the limit to what the future as in store, both on and off the floor. "Jessica gets along well with everyone," said coach Jesurun. "She has a real low key personality and can fit into any situation."

January 2005

Congratulations to Houston Hotshots Tia Jackson for achieving the Player of the Week status in the January 17, 2005 Houston Chronicle. We are also proud of the following Houston Hotshots players that were among the other nominees for this honor - Hollie Beaman (Kingwood); Rachael Driver (Clear Creek); Stefanie Gilbreath (Cinco Ranch); Kelli Griffin (Clear Brook).

December 2004

December 2004

December 2004

From the December 20, 2004 edition of the Houston Chronicle -

Congratulations to Houston Hotshot Tricia Abbott for being named player of the week and further congratulations to Houston Hotshots Hollie Beaman, Morgan Clyburn, Monica Perkins-Miller and Jhasmin Player for being nominated.

November 2004

Congratualtions to the present and future Houston Hotshots that received a postion on the All greater Houston Girl's Basketball Teams:

• Jessica Morrow - 1st Team
• Ayana Brereton - 2nd Team
• Morgan Clyburn - 2nd Team
• Jhasmin Player - 2nd Team
• Tricia Abbott - 3rd Team
• Kelli Griffiin - 3rd team
• Monica Miller-Perkins - 3rd Team

October 2004

Student Athletes on PBS

Monday, October 18 at 10 p.m.

Channel 8 will premiere a documentary that takes a look at the life of college athletes. In contrast to the common perception of pampered superstars given a school pass free of serious academic obligations, the program shows student athletes fulfilling normal classroom duty, receiving degrees and going on to success in the world beyond the hedges.

The documentary follows four Rice University athletes throughout the course of the school year as they strive to balance the demands of their sports with their academic responsibilities. Realizing that the chance to make it in the professional ranks is small, each one also keeps long-range goals in mind in preparing for a future outside of sports.

“Most of what you see in the news about athletes these days is negative,” said Jim Bailey, the documentary’s producer. “It seems like they spend more time in court, accompanied by a lawyer, than they do on the court or the field. We wanted to show the other side, young men and women managing to achieve both athletic and academic goals, and representing their universities at the highest level.”

The four athletes profiled are baseball player Chris Kolkhorst, women’s basketball player Lindsey Maynard, and football players Clifford Sparks and Jeff Vanover. Three of the four completed their athletic eligibility last season while Sparks returned for his senior season this fall.

Outfielder Kolkhorst was the heart of the Owls national championship team, remembered for his amazing catch in the 2003 College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. One of the toughest and most competitive players in the game, he was drafted by the San Diego Padres last spring after graduating and receiving Academic All America recognition. He continued to excel in the Padres’ minor league system and appears to have a bright future in the pros.

Point guard Maynard was the leading scorer on the Owl team that finished second in the Western Athletic Conference and made an appearance in the NCAA playoffs. She was named as the team’s Most Valuable Player and also was selected as Rice’s overall outstanding female scholar athlete for the 2003/2004 school year. After a summer as an intern with CitiBank in New York, she is continuing her studies in economics in London.

Sparks, a two-sport athlete, recovered from an injury in time to compete for the Owl track team, which won the WAC championship in May. Back on the gridiron, he recently intercepted two Longhorn passes in the Rice-University of Texas game in Austin.

Vanover also was hampered by a leg injury during the 2003 season and underwent surgery. Moved from quarterback to linebacker as a freshman, he was a key player for the Owls throughout his career. He and his high school sweetheart were married in June and he accepted a position with American Express, with plans to enter law school in the near future.

April 2004

GREELEY, Colo.- University of Northern Colorado women's basketball senior Amber Elliott was selected to the Division I All-Independent first-team as selected on by a vote of head coaches and announced on Monday.  In her final year in a UNC uniform, the Sugar City, Colo. native averaged 16.4 points per game which was tops on the Bears' team. She also hit on 43.9% of her field goal attempts, 38.7% of her three-point attempts (which ranked in the Top 50 in the country) and 75.8% of her free throw attempts.

Elliott averaged 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game while connecting on 70 three-pointers, the third highest season total in school history.  "This is a tremendous honor for Amber," UNC head coach Ron Vlasin said. "She is such a hard worker and great player and this honor is nice for her to have in our transition period to Division I."

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's Terra Andrews (former Houston Hotshots player) and IP-Fort Wayne's Amy Gearlds were named co-Players of the Year while the TAMUCC swept the Defensive, Newcomer and Coach of the Year categories.  UNC freshman Danielle Hagen was one of seven honorable mention choices. She averaged 7.7 points and a team-high 6.0 rebounds while hitting 49% of her field goal attempts for the Bears in her rookie season.  UNC finished the season, its first as a Division I team, with a 16-11 overall record.

The teams and awards were selected by the independent coaches: DeAnn Craft (Texas-Pan American), Jodi Kest (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi), Cathy Nixon (Utah Valley State), Bruce Patterson (IPFW) and Ron Vlasin (Northern Colorado).

2003-04 Division I All-Independent Women's Basketball First Team 

• Maggie Bruening, IPFW
• Danielle Hagen, Northern Colorado
• Amanda Carlow, Texas-Pan American
• Dawnne Cheadle, Texas-Pan American
• Courtney Lynn, Utah Valley State
• Beverly Visentin, Utah Valley State
• Katie Wilson, Utah Valley State

Co-Players of the Year: Terra Andrews (former Houston Hotshots player), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi & Amy Gearlds, IPFW

January 2004

Angie Soriaga was a three year member of the  Houston Hotshots 17 Gold Team.  Angie, as a member of the Hotshots 17 Gold Team, was instrumental in helping the team win the Gulf Association 17 Under title for 2000, 2001 & 2002; played on teams that finished 7th in 2001& 5th in 2002 at AAU Nationals; 3rd in 2001 & at 2nd in 2002 at BCI Nationals; two time AAU and BCI All American; a stand out guard from A & M Consolidated High School and is now a Sophomore at Dartmouth University.  Listen to the Buzzer Beater for Dartmouth over Harvard University.  With that win, Dartmouth snapped a 26 game conference winning streak by Harvard.  Way to go Angie!!! 

Click HERE to listen to Buzzer Beater!

January 2004

December 2003

April 2003

 A&M Consolidated's & Houston Hotshots player Priyanka Kainthla signed a basketball scholarship with Southwestern University in Georgetown. Sharing in the moment were Consol girls basketball coach Sue Betts, sister Radhika Kainthla, father Ramesh Kainthla and mother Neetu Kainthla. Kainthla earned first-team all-district honors in 13-5A, helping the Lady Tigers to second place and the playoffs. She averaged 14.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 3.3 assists per game. She hit 88 3-pointers. She has a grade-point average of 102.3 and is ranked 14th in a Class of 479. She earned all-academic honors in 13-5A as well.

January 2003

Rashonta LeBlanc - Junior - Port Arthur Jefferson Houston Chronicle Player of the Week

January 2003

Kirbira Lewis - Senior - Baytown Sterling Houston Chronicle Player of the Week

January 2003  

Jessica Morrow - 6'0 Sophomore Point Guard - Humble High January 13, 2003 Houston Chronicle Player of the Week

January 2003

Davis making transition quickly

BY PATRICK GONZALES
AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

It didn't take long for LaToya Davis to realize the difference between high school and college basketball.

In fact, the true freshman from Houston developed her view the first time she worked out with the Texas Tech women's basketball team.

"It was so hard, and almost everybody was going around me," the 6-foot-1 Davis said. "In high school, I was a lot taller than everybody, and it was a lot easier. But I found out real quick when I got here that I was going to have to raise my game to another level."

Consider it a fulfilled promise.

Somewhere between her initial eye-opening practice and the first two months of the 2002-03 season, Davis has not only adapted to the college level, but has also carved out a pretty good niche with the No. 8-ranked Lady Raiders.

She is a fixture off the bench for Tech (10-1) and has played in nine games, missing only the Valparaiso and Creighton matchups because of a knee sprain. She is averaging 4.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per outing in just more than 11 minutes of playing time per contest.

"(LaToya) gives us something we don't get anywhere else," Tech coach Marsha Sharp said. "She is an explosive player and a great rebounder. She's been able to power the ball up and can just finish with a lot of contact."

That should explain why Davis looked to be right at home Thursday in the Lady Raiders' hard-fought 94-81 win over a physical Rutgers squad.

Davis entered the matchup at the 7:09 mark of the second half when the Scarlet Knights pulled to within 71-64 — their smallest deficit since the first half.

The Lady Raiders responded with a 6-0 run that included perhaps the biggest offensive play of the game.

Following a miss by Mariota Theodoris, Tech freshman point guard Erin Grant received the outlet pass and launched a rocket pass down court to a streaking Jia Perkins. Perkins flipped the ball cross-court to a charging Davis, who converted the lay up and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

Davis went on to add a short jumper and put back a Plenette Pierson miss on consecutive possessions to give the Lady Raiders an 84-70 lead with 3:39 remaining.

Davis finished with six points, all coming in the second half, and added three rebounds and an assist in just eight minutes of action.

Sharp said after the game she didn't hesitate to insert her 18-year-old rookie at such a critical moment of the game.

"It doesn't seem to me like (LaToya) is very afraid of anything, and that is a really big part of her mentality," Sharp said. "She is just so athletic, and gives a huge spark off the bench."

But the transition that Davis has made from high school to the collegiate level, hasn't been as easy as she has made it look.

Davis was highly recruited out of South Houston High School after leading the Greater Houston area in scoring for three straight years. She led her squad to the regional tournament for the first time in school history en route to averaging 28.1 points per game.

She narrowed her college picks to Tech and Texas, before choosing to head north to Lubbock.

"I just felt that there was a great family atmosphere here, and that meant a lot to me," Davis said. "It took a little while to get used to (Lubbock) since I'm from a big city, but now I'm used to it and really enjoying my time here."

Davis went through the same transition on the court.

After being baptized by fire in her first workout with the Lady Raiders, Davis not only made a concentrated effort to raise her level of play but she also focused on working hard everyday.

"I was going to do anything to show the coaches what I can do," she said.

Apparently, it has worked, much to the pleasant surprise of some of the Tech coaches.

Sharp said at the Big 12 Conference media days before the beginning of the season that she hoped to use a nine-player and even a 10-player rotation, by the time league play started.

By the first few games of the season, she was already using an 11-player rotation, because of Davis' quick emergence.

"(LaToya) led the all Greater Houston area in scoring, so we knew she had the ability to do some special things," Sharp said. "You just never know how the new kids are going to make the transition from high school to Division I, but I've been really impressed with LaToya's ability to hold her own among the big guys and create some things on the floor."

Blame Tech's veteran low-post players for that.

Davis credits senior Plenette Pierson, junior Jolee Ayers and sophomore Cisti Greenwalt for teaching her the ropes.

"Going against them in practice just makes me that much better," Davis said. "They are all great post players, and I hope to be at that level someday. I know that I just have to believe in myself."

 December 2002

Congratulations to 

Kirbria Lewis - Houston Chronicle Player of the Week
 

July 2002

Sterling Hoopsters Headed to Select Nationals
The Baytown Sun By Jonathan Cooper

BAYTOWN -At 6-3, Shauna Singleton is the tallest of the Houston Hotshots 17- and- under select players.  At 5-6, Kirbria Lewis is one of the smallest, but both Sterling players have played important roles in leading the Hotshots to the National Tournament next week in Detroit, Mich.  Singleton graduated and will play at Sam Houston State in Huntsville next season. Lewis will be a senior for the Rangers.

The team includes Texas Tech signee LaToya Davis of South Houston, the team that eliminated Sterling from the playoffs with a buzzer-beater. For Singleton, she is preparing to face college level competition.  "Almost all of these players that we play against will play college ball so it prepares me," Singleton said. 'But most of all, I'm trying to have fun playing with these players for the last time before I go off to college.'

Lewis along with Crosby's Destiny Drew is rated as a Top 10 college prospects in the state by a recruiting list on Rivals.com. Lewis said these games teach her the importance of passing the ball from the point.  "I don't have to score 30 every time out for us to win." she said. "That's something I'll take with me into next year. I'll be looking to pass more.'  Lewis has received letters from Arkansas, Central Florida and Houston Baptist, but will wait until later to make a decision.

The Hotshots qualified for the regional tournament by defeating the Elite by 35 points in June.  At 33-1, the Elite was the only team to beat the Hotshots this season.  It may the first national appearance for Singleton and Lewis, but Hotshots coach Marvin Morris is taking a team to the tournament for the 11th consecutive year.

"I really feel this is my best team from top to bottom,' Morris said.  The one loss came in late May when the team played without several players.  'We played well together when we first were formed" Singleton said. "We struggled near graduation because we were missing players every week but it's starting to come together again."

Ten athletes play on the team and everyone contributes equally, Morris said.  "I don't have any reserves," Morris said. 'I'm two-deep at every position and I start a different five every week, then the other five go in.' Morris calls Lewis the quickest player in the state.  'She has the best lateral movement of anyone,' he said. "She penetrates well and is easy to coach because she'll try anything once."

This is Singleton's third year playing select ball, and first with the 17-and-under Hotshots. Morris has seen her improve over the years.  “She's a great post defender and has developed into a better offensive player as she gains more confidence, Morris said. “She has had to learn that when she gets a rebound I want her to go back up with it, not pass it outside. She's a great free throw shooter and I'll take her one or two shots over anyone shooting.”

The team leaves Friday for Detroit and the games begin Saturday. The Hotshots finished seventh nationally In 2001. The tournament will be pool play followed by double elimination brackets.  Both players were coached by Patti Rau at Sterling and the team advanced to the area championship in 2002.

March 2002

All-BV Basketball
Soriaga, McDaniel repeat

By ROBERT CESSNA
Eagle Staff Writer

Soriaga

Angie Soriaga was steady. Marcus Watkins was spectacular. Both were sensational measured up against the rest of the state’s best players.

Soriaga was a first-team all-stater by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and a second-team pick by the Texas Girls Coaches Association. Watkins earned first-team all-state honors by the TABC.

Soriaga and Watkins head up The Eagle’s 27th Annual All-Brazos Valley Basketball Teams. Soriaga is a Super 5 selection for the third straight season, a rarity. Soriaga and Hearne center Billy McDaniel are the lone repeaters from last year.

Soriaga averaged 18.9 points, 4.26 steals and 4.35 assists per game for the 27-7 Lady Tigers, who finished second in rugged 16-5A, which had three all-staters as Jersey Village’s Nina Norman and Cy-Fair’s Lindsey Harding were also selected.

February 2002

Co-Player of the Year Martinez leads 19-5A all-district squad
By Nick Georgandis
Sports Editor

After enjoying their best season in recent memory on the court, the Mayde Creek girls’ basketball team was rewarded by district coaches this week, with four first-team, all-district players including District 19-5A co-Player of the Year Lisa Martinez.   Martinez finished third in the greater Houston are in scoring, averaging an even 22 points per game, and was also tops in the district in rebounding.  The three-time, all-district honoree leaves Mayde Creek with 10 school records to her credit including most points ina career (1,574), most points in a game (district record of 40), average points per game for a season and a career (15.) and the top career field-goal percentage (.550).   Mayde Creek head coach Steve Reese had nothing but praise for Martinez, bound for Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton on a basketball scholarship.  "Lisa has been nothing short of amazing in her career here,” Reese said. “I've marveled at her consistency over these last three years. Night in and night out, she has played with such passion and enthusiasm. She has improved each year as a player and has ended up literally rewriting the record book. She takes a physical pounding every night, yet keeps coming back for more”.   Green-and-white uniforms were a familiar sight on the all-district first team.  Joining Martinez were fellow Lady Ram seniors Nicole Scheet, Gina Stinson and Lauren Gorog.  A four-year varsity player herself, Scheet takes four school records along with her, including most games played (113), career assists (641), assists in a game (14) and assists in a season (259).  Scheet led the greater Houston area in assists as both a junior and a senior and also finishes her career third in steals and fifth in three-pointers for the Lady Rams’ program.  “"Nicole Scheet has been the emotional heart and soul of our program for four years now” Reese said. “She is the consummate leader and team player — everything a coach could ask for in a point guard. Nicole is all about winning and she has literally been the catalyst for our success these past two years. “  Gorog returned from a stint at Faith West Academy and was the Lady Rams’ best defender, taking on everyone from feisty point guards to Elkins’ point forward during the playoffs.  During the non-district season, Gorog canned a game-winning three-pointer against Langham Creek.  The tough-as-nails Stinson provided a valuable second option for the Lady Rams on option behind Martinez and made huge three-pointers throughout the season as the Lady Rams started the district season 8-0 before settling in for a second-place finish behind Hastings.  Stinson ends her career eighth on Mayde Creek’s all-time three-pointer list with 60 made.  The third-place finishing Lady Mustangs of Taylor had two players named first-team all-district, with shooting guard Callye Williams making the first team for a second straight year, to go with an honorable mention nod when she was a sophomore.  Williams hit plenty of big shots in her three-year career in the Mustangs’ backcourt, all three years of which Taylor made the playoffs.    One of her more notable shots this year was a coast-to-coast layup between Katy’s two tallest players with two seconds to play in a thrilling 43-41 victory early on in the district season.   Joining Williams on the first-team from Taylor was junior post Kat Davis, perhaps 19-5A’s most-improved player from a year ago.   Stepping into the rather large shoes left by graduated senior Michelle Woods (Rice), Davis improved her strength, footwork and coordination in the off-season and became a legitimate danger download with a variety of inside moves.   Davis was among the league leaders in field-goal percentage, scoring and rebounding all season.   The Cinco Ranch Lady Cougars went from no wins last year to three in 2002, tying Elsik for fourth place in the district under first-year coach Eric Bartlett.   Senior post Ami Benya made the all-district first team after leading the Lady Cougars in scoring and rebounding and making opponents think twice about driving into the lane.  Taylor added two players on the second team, senior guard Andrea Daniel, a three-year letter-winner, and sophomore post Christina Denson, a ferocious rebounder, who will return alongside Davis next year to  provide the Lady Mustangs plenty of size inside.   The Lady Cougars added water-bug quick point guard Kia Jones to the second team, and Katy post Kenna Richmond, a solid player on both sides of the ball represented the Lady Tigers on the second team.   Hastings senior post LaToya Okungbowa tied Martinez for player of the year honors, and was joined on the first team by teammates Ashley Bolden and Maggie Drummond.  Hastings’ Keyke Durham, Auriel Minkins and Regina Abdalla made the second team, along with Elsik’s Tamika McDonald.   Hastings’ Bob Wall was voted Coach of the Year.  The coaches also released their Academic All-District team, which honors student-athletes with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or better.  The Katy Lady Tigers led the way with 10 players named to the academic squad — seniors Laura Okruhlik, Katie Gannon, Jana Yarbrough, Toni Rocheleau and Kenna Richmond; juniors Brittany Davis, Brittany Hardy and Bevin Parker, and sophomores Rachel Pidcock and Lindsey Moorehead. Taylor had nine players lauded for academic honors — seniors Diane Davis, Andrea Daniel, Jenny Cantu, Callye Williams and Kelsey Roop, and juniors Kristi Kuzma, Lindsey Ellsworth and Kat Davis. Seven Cinco Ranch players made the all-academic squad — seniors Kara Stucky, Brandi Depland, Ami Benya, Kakie Walker, Kia Jones and LaurieChen, and junior Kelli Harper. Mayde Creek had six players named all-academic — seniors Lauren Gorog, Gina Stinson and Nicole Scheet, junior Lydia Robinson and sophomores Ashley Bramhall and A.J. DeVries.
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February 2002

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