HS Sports: Signing Ceremony Sees Grand Oaks Athletes Commit to the Next Level

SPRING, TX -- The 2024 Signing Day at Grand Oaks High School saw athletes commit to the next level of competition by completing their jump into the collegiate ranks.

15 total athletes, ranging from nearly all sports available on campus, signed their commitments in front of the hundreds of supporting families and friends that filled the Grand Oaks High School gym.

In an exclusive interview with The Woodlands Online Sports, Head Football Coach and Campus Athletic Director Shaun McDowell spoke on the tremendous pride taken by all of the coaches in producing many talented athletes.

“It’s extremely important because it goes to show that Grand Oaks is a well-rounded community and a well-rounded athletic department,” said McDowell. “We’re State Champions in volleyball, but we have excellent athletes across the board. There are so many opportunities here at Grand Oaks to develop and achieve academic and athletic goals.”

Here are the 15 Grizzly athletes who will make their names known amongst those committing to the collegiate ranks.

Cross Country and Track:

• Keara Zver: Stephen F. Austin

• Emilee Dawson: Dallas Baptist University

Volleyball:

• Samara Coleman: University of Pittsburgh

Among those signing was Samara Coleman, a standout athlete on the reigning 6-A Champion Lady Grizzly Volleyball team. Her commitment to the University of Pittsburgh came as little surprise considering her talents, but another face joining the Division One ranks is a sight many coaches find hard to believe.

“I’m immensely proud of these girls and the work that they all put in,” said Head Coach Morgan Rogers. “They start their journeys long before they get to me, and to see that come to fruition for them considering all the hard work they put in is super special.”

The Lady Grizzlies’ control over 13-6A and the 6-A playoff structure has been forceful over the last several years. Coleman’s pedigree, effort, and determination will be valuable assets when converting to the college ranks.

“Samara embodies the work ethic needed for the next level,” said Rogers. “She doesn’t take reps off. She doesn’t take days off. She’s very level-headed and she does her job and does it well. It takes a lot, but she’s a great leader and is very coachable.”

Girls Basketball:

• Bree Riley: Abilene Christian University

Talented does little to encapsulate the immense skill shown by future Lady Wildcat, Bree Riley. The over 2,000-point scorer for the Lady Grizzly basketball team has shown many multifaceted skills that have made her a target for colleges throughout the country.

Speaking on her talented threat was Lady Grizzly Head Coach Shiakiea Carter, who was filled with emotions for the athlete that she helped to drive into the next level of competition.

“I’m filled with a lot of mixed emotions, mostly happy and excited,” said Carter. “It's just great to see all of the hard work Bree has put in paying off because I know this has been something she has really wanted.”

Not only does the signing send Riley into a stacked Abilene Christian program, but it alleviates pressure on her at the start of the 2024-25 girls basketball season.

“I think she can relax now because she knows where she is going to be in life,” said Carter. “It’ll help her focus more than she already is by having that weight off her shoulders. She will be better able to push and continue to lead Grand Oaks Girls Basketball the way we need to be.”

Baseball:

• Calbe Barth: Kishwaukee College

• Mason Kinchen: Texas Tech University

• Fernando Palomares: Frank Phillips College

• Kameron Webb: Hardin-Simmons University

Softball:

• Ava Butler: Lafayette College

• Isabella Jessee: Oklahoma Wesleyan University

• Brooklyn Lemons: Western Oklahoma State College

• Lacie Miller: Nelson University (w/Track)

• Arianna Sanchez: Paine College

• Sage Oglesby: Vernon College

• Kaitlynn Torres: University of Houston

Leading the charge for most athletes represented was the Grand Oaks Softball team. Seven of the 15 athletes signing their commitments were a part of the Lady Grizzly squad that hopes to make a charge in the upcoming softball season.

The numerous players taking part all share a high sense of comradery. Their shared respect and friendship look to impact a quickly growing sport for women’s representation.

“Softball is one of the fastest growing sports in America, and you can see that with the talent that’s coming in,” explained Softball Head Coach Paula Miller. “We’re kind of a hotbed for softball here at Grand Oaks, and I won’t lie, it adds a little pressure to start winning with all the people we have signing.”

Even with the pressure to perform at a high level, the Lady Grizzly program has benefitted from tremendous cooperation with the local select teams that provide a platform for players to show their stuff outside of the high school diamond.

“A lot of the recruitment comes through the select programs where they can see more of the kids from a statistical standpoint,” said Miller. “But I feel like the high schools give the opportunity to tell you what kind of kid this is. Their work ethic, their grades, and the attitude that all come as intangibles.”

All of the exceptionally talented athletes should take pride in making their next steps to continuing their educational and athletic journeys. Congratulations to the Fall 2024 Grand Oaks signing class.