Goose Creek Memorial vs. Dobie – Players to Watch
The high school season is officially underway in the state of Texas and we’ve started giving you the best coverage of everything that’s happening across the Lone Star State between now and November. We are, as usual, centering our coverage…
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Continue ReadingThe high school season is officially underway in the state of Texas and we’ve started giving you the best coverage of everything that’s happening across the Lone Star State between now and November.
We are, as usual, centering our coverage around promoting the most intriguing prospects around the state with articles that will highlight their standout performances and statistical milestones and also team features.
As much as possible, we’ll also try to every Tuesday and Friday preview an interesting match that’s set to happen around the state, pointing out the most impressive prospects that will be on the court in that encounter. Today’s selected match is the one between the Goose Creek Memorial Patriots, who won their opening match, and the Dobie Longhorns, who dropped theirs. The teams met on Friday, August, 12, at 6.30 pm, and here are the players we believe can make a difference in the match.
Goose Creek Memorial
Christian Stringer
Christian Stringer
The team’s top scorer last season, Stringer is ready to lead the Patriots’ offense once again. Despite her 5’7” frame, she’s a tremendous jumper and has really quick feet and thrives when hitting more towards the right side, be it the slide set or a higher one. She had 184 kills, 23 blocks and 14 aces in her last campaign.
Olivia Banks
Olivia Banks
A 6’1” right side hitter, Banks is also coming from a productive junior season with Goose Creek Memorial as she tallied 132 kills and 24 blocks with the team last year. A lefty, Banks has excellent net presence and can put a lot of power on the ball when she’s set in-system. Her mobility has gotten better with time too.
Shyla Houston
Shyla Houston
A middle blocker turned into outside hitter, the 5’9” Houston made more of an impact at the net for the Patriots last season. She wasn’t much involved with the team’s defensive work, but proved to be a useful piece at the net, amassing 88 kills and 11 blocks in her limited playing time. Houston’s main asset is her length, which puts her at an advantage against some of her opposing blockers.
Dobie
Gonzalez is a key piece in Dobie’s playing system, taking up setting and hitting duties. She’s really technical and consistent with her sets and does an excellent job with her shot selection when asked to hit too. The 5’8” Gonzalez was in great form last season, when she led the team in assists (449) and ranked second in kills (234) and third in digs (263).
Highlights
Ariana Garza
Ariana Garza
A long and athletic middle, the 5’11” Garza plays an important role for the Longhorns offering great presence at the net for the team. She has excellent reach on offense and can hit quite a few different sets with considerable efficiency. Garza ended last season with 136 kills and a team-high 54 blocks.
Aly Frias
Aly Frias
Another member of Dobie’s strong junior class, Frias leads the team’s defensive efforts. Entering her second season as the team’s starting libero, the five-footer is very dynamic and quick on the backcourt and also benefits from ger great ball control to produce. She had some spectacular digs in the season opener against Sterling after registering 375 digs, 351 passes and 39 aces last year.