Lion Sports Network

By George Kopf '18

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HOUSTON, TX – SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!!! The Lions are headed to the Division V State Championship, after a last-second field goal stunned the small, but rowdy home crowd at Viking Field, knocking off the Village School Vikings 17-14.

     This one was engaging from the start, especially with a state championship berth on the line, as the Lions (9-1, 3-0) got off to a rough start yet again when facing the Vikings. Despite moving the ball effectively and following a scoreless first quarter, the Lions found themselves in unfamiliar territory. Senior quarterback Ben Turner threw an interception on an read-option that was undercut and returned for a touchdown, giving the Vikings (5-4, 1-2) a touchdown lead halfway through the second quarter. Turner settled down and got his offense close to the goal line, but the Vikings defense forced a goal-line stand, their first of what would be 3 on the night, to end the half, surprisingly shutting out the Lions offense. Head Coach Clay Richardson re-motivated his team and not before long, and maybe some luck, the Lions were leading 14-7 late in the fourth quarter, scoring both in a 65-second period. After blocking 2 consecutive punts, the third time was the charm as senior Travis Gay got both hands on the next punt, leading junior Matt Jasek to take it back 48 yards “to-the-house” and give the Lions the lead. Unfortunately, the Lions would not hold this lead for long as the Vikings put together a fantastic drive, capping it off with a 55 yard passing touchdown of their own, on 4th-and-15, to tie the game. It was up to Turner to lead his team down the field, without their star offensive back, junior Jake Williams, who exited the game with a knee injury early in the second half. It looked like Turner had gotten the game-winning touchdown, also on 4th down, until they an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called prior to him crossing the goal-line. Nevertheless, the Lions ran 2 more plays to set up for the all-important kick, entrusting the leg of Turner. The 23-yarder went right down the middle, and after a crucial miscue on the kickoff by the Vikings, the clock hit triple-zeros and the Lions were headed to the state championship game for only the second time ever.

     After the impressive win, the Lions will travel to Seguin, TX for the 3rd-Annual Division V State Championship against St. Mary’s Hall, kicking off at 4 PM CT. We will have a live-stream coverage for you here on LSN, so tune in to see the thrilling end to this exciting season!

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Key Notes/Moments

Undefeated district/zone record - technically back-to-back season with this accomplishment

Lost JR Jake Williams to season-ending ACL surgery

Mustered a late-game comeback, scoring 17 pts in second half

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Key Players

K Ben Turner - game-winning 23-yard FG sends Lions to State Championship - 1/1 on FGs, 2/2 on PATs

DT Matt Jasek - returned a punt-block for a TD 

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What's Next?

Lions (9-1, 3-0) - will face West Zone Champion St. Mary's Hall in Seguin, TX next Saturday at 4 PM

Vikings (5-4, 1-2) - finish season yet again with defeat to Lions - look ahead to next year's competition

By George Kopf '18

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KATY, TX - Write this one into the record books! On a beautiful, sunny and cool Friday in October, the St. John XXIII Lions finished off an undefeated home season with a huge win, routing the Tyler All Saints Episcopal Trojans 41-0 on Senior Night at SJ23 Stadium.

     The Lions (8-1, 2-0) did not wait to start scoring in this one, taking a quite 14-0 lead after their first two possessions. They continued to drive down the field, and went into the locker rooms, scoring on four of the five first-half possessions (the fifth possession was a kneel down to end the half) and in hand, accumulating a 28-0 lead. Despite it being Senior Night, leading the charge for the Lions offense was junior running back, Jake Williams, who had three total touchdowns, not to mention some huge defensive plays also. Having some drives stall out in the second half meant that we got to see the kicking ability of senior Ben Turner's foot. He had no problem going perfect on the night with 2 field goals (24 and 22, respectively) and added five extra points. The Trojans (2-5, 0-2) could not get anything moving, punting on most of their possessions. Their final possession of the game, however, was their most successful. Using senior tight end Collin Gee, the Trojans executed an almost perfect drive that almost gave them a score. The Lions defense wanted a stop so they could close out their third shutout at home in 2 years. When senior quarterback Jackson Jordan's pass came up just short to his intended receiver in the endzone, the celebration had just begun. This group of seniors walked off of SJ23 Stadium for the last time a little bit happier because for the sixth and final time this year, they had defended their home turf and completed an undefeated season at home for the second time in program history, first since 2013. 

     The Lions will end the season with a trip to Viking Field to face rival Village, in what will determine the district champion. That game starts next Friday at 6 PM and no matter what happens, we will get you the latest news and updates, so keep it here with Lion Sports Network! 

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Key Notes/Moments

Undefeated home season (6-0, includes home forfeit win to Lutheran North)

Under Coach Richardson, Lions are 10-4 at home with 3 shutouts - additionally, Coach Richardson is now an even 13-13 as the HC of the Lions (3 seasons)

28-0 halftime lead was the largest HT margin in 4 years

41 points scored were the most this season - double the amount as the last two weeks

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Key Players

RB Jake Williams - 3 total TDs (2 rushing, 1 receiving) - made a statement Friday night on both sides of the ball

QB Matt Jasek - although being the back-up, still is 4-4 this year on the Toledo Special trick play - also shows that the future is bright next year with a good leader under center

QB/K Ben Turner - used his legs, arm and kick to help contribute to total points scored - 2/2 on FGs and 5/5 on XPs

RB Tommy Loyd - continued to be the workhorse, will look to shine next week against porous Vikings defense

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What's Next?

Lions (8-1, 2-0) - forced a must-win situation next week against Village to get to the Division 5 State Championship game; would face St. Mary's Hall at a neutral site location

Trojans (2-5, 0-2) - face Beaumont Kelly at home next week; could play spoiler to Kelly's chances at State Championship with a win

By George Kopf '18

KATY, TX – Homecoming in bigger and better in Texas, but what is even bigger is the inconsistent weather in the fall, especially in October. An unexpected wave of rain showed up Friday night, and despite a surge of first-half offense, the St. John XXIII Lions (7-1, 1-0) had to make two final defensive stops in a row to fend off the upset-minded Beaumont Kelly Bulldogs (3-4, 0-1), finishing off a 20-12 victory on Homecoming Friday at SJ23 Stadium.

     The Lions, returning home for the first time in three weeks, started off strong, and aided with the success of some trickery, jumped out to an early 14-0 lead. Cruising through the second quarter, the Lions added yet another unexpected score, as a handoff fumble at the Bulldog 15-yard line, was recovered by junior offensive lineman, Trevor Oakum and using his awareness, took it into the end zone for his first career score – on either side of the ball. Despite down three-scores with less than a quarter to go in the half, the Bulldogs’ sophomore quarterback Braden Sheldon calmed his team down and methodically scored, to make the game a little more interesting heading into halftime.

     During the halftime performances and homecoming court announcement, the rain picked up and continued to do so for the next 45 minutes, causing both teams to change their strategies due to the new conditions. The Lions’ offensive woes returned and could not even come close to getting back in a rhythm, stalling out and having to punt or turned over the ball in all of their second-half possessions. The students and fans that did stay for the second half got nervous as Kelly drove down the field in the fourth quarter and made it a one-score ballgame with 4 minutes to go. Looking to stop the Lions one final time, the Bulldogs executed their play-calling perfectly. They received the ball now having to go 85 yards for the game-tying score. The Lions defense had to step up, and boy, did they. Forcing long third and fourth downs, the Bulldogs could not convert, and the Lions took a knee, won their third-straight Homecoming Game and open up district play with a win.

     The Lions look ahead to next week, where they will celebrate Senior Night and welcome in the All-Saints Episcopal Trojans from Tyler, TX to the first meeting between schools as well as another district game. Lion Sports Network will be broadcasting that game LIVE with coverage beginning at 6:45 PM CT, so tune in if you cannot make it to SJ23 Stadium!

Key Notes/Moments

Lions secured win in district opener

Scored 3 TDs

• Turner-Jasek-Loyd - Trick Play "reverse" Passing TD)

• Jake Williams 46 yard rushing TD up far sideline

• "scoop-and-score" TD by Oakum after fumble on handoff

Impressive performance by Lions defense in the rain-filled second half

Forced turnovers and bad throws by Sheldon

Moved to 7-1 on the season - currently undefeated at home

What's Next?

Lions (7-1, 1-0) - welcome Trojans to town - look to stay undefeated in district play

Bulldogs (3-4, 0-1) - look to end 4-game losing streak next week at home vs. Village Vikings in another district battle

After just about a year, we are officially back another football broadcast and it happens to be the homecoming football game! The Kelly Bulldogs (3-3) come into Katy, TX to take on the St. John XXIII Lions (6-1) this Friday in the district opener. Here's what you need to know in preparation for the big game:

Important Info:

Where: SJ23 Stadium, Katy, TX

When: Friday, October 19 at 7:00 PM

TV Stream: We're back! Live-stream coverage begins with our pre-game show at 6:30, followed by kickoff at 7 PM on LSN's YouTube!

Radio?: LSCSN.com (Lone Star Christian Sports Network), partnered with TSRN (Texas Sports Radio Network) is bringing their game of the week to SJ23 Stadium with a radio broadcast. Either way, there is no excuse to miss this great game! 

Playoff Implications? District Opener for each team, so get a leg up in the standings 

Major Storylines:

• In recent years, coming off of their bye week, Kelly has not won - 0-6 since 2012 - could continue trend or reverse the trend 

• Beaumont Kelly won their first 3 with points (averaging 32 per game), then lost the last 3 they have played by a combined 32 points (by 3, 26, and 3 again)

• The Lions clinched their second winning season ever - first since 2013; look for them to carry that momentum into district play

• However, despite the success, the Lions are in an offensive "slump" scoring only 28 over the last 3 games compared to 24 pts/game early in the season - look for this or next week against Tyler All Saints to be the breakout game for the Lions and get back on track.

• Lions RB Tommy Loyd continues to be the workhorse for the offense (scored both TDs in last week's win) - he will have a big day, especially against this porous Bulldog defense

Previous Meetings?

This is the fifth recorded matchup between these team, with a 1-3 advantage in the Bulldogs. However, the last time they played at SJ23 Stadium (2016), the Lions got their only win in the series 10-0 and it was also on Homecoming Night.

Key Matchup

Bulldog Passing Offense vs. Lions Defense/Lions Crowd

Every game at SJ23 Stadium has a rowdy atmosphere and on Homecoming night, it will be even louder. The Lions defense, especially secondary, will look to get better and will look to bring the heat using the crowd as energy. Watch out Bulldogs!

Other TAPPS Action

Lots of really good matchups going on this week - so take a look:

- D1 Dallas Bishop Lynch @ D1 Dallas Parish Episcopal

- D1 Argyle Liberty Christian @ D1 Midland Christian

- D2 Austin Hyde Park @ Austin Regents

- D2 Houston Lutheran South @ Victoria St. Joseph

- D3 Willow Park Trinity Christian @ D3 Lubbock Trinity Christian

- D4 Woodlands Legacy Prep @ D4 Tomball Rosehill Christian

#BeatTheBulldogs #SAVIOvsSJ23 #SJ23Homecoming

By George Kopf - Head of Operations

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CROSBY, TX – Metaphorically speaking, the clock officially struck midnight on the St. John XXIII Lions’ magical, Cinderella-esque postseason run, falling to the San Antonio Incarnate Word Shamrocks 3-1, in the TAPPS 6A State Championship Game.

     Although looking like the dominant team throughout the entire playoffs and a team not necessarily classified as a “Cinderella”, the Lady Lions (13-4) found themselves in uncharted waters, playing in their first-ever state championship after a fantastic performance over Nolan Catholic the day before. They were determined to get the win and take down another Goliath-sized opponent, despite being the designated visiting team for the third straight game. They looked to get their potent offense started early, but a few crucial inning-ending double plays turned by the Shamrocks (28-13) fizzled any chance at getting early runs on the board. The lack of run support did not seem to faze junior pitcher Lyndie Swanson, who once again produced a quality start, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits. However, the biggest stat of the game was the fact that all three Shamrock runs (1 in the 2nd inning, 1 in the 5th inning, and 1 in the 6th inning) came with 2 outs and unfortunately, spoiled the quality outing by Swanson. The Lions continue to make contact and finally, after 5 scoreless innings, were able to get on the board with a 2-out RBI single by Swanson in the 6th inning, putting the Lions within 1 at that point. Heading into the seventh and final inning, the Lady Lions were looking for a rally and a chance to continue the game. Needing two runs, they were unable to get anyone aboard, sending the Shamrocks into a frenzy, and putting a bow on their fourth straight state title.

     Despite the result, the team still had one heck of a memorable weekend and solidified themselves as one of the top teams in the state of Texas and the best softball team in the school’s history. This weekend, for the two seniors on the team, Sarah Callahan and Valerie Grandjean, will go down in their lives as one of the best, being able to graduate in the morning and play their hearts out as “the newest alumni” in the biggest game of their high school careers, even if it was not the outcome they wanted.

     It has truly been a pleasure and privilege to cover the Lady Lions this year, and to be able to celebrate the amazing accomplishments right there with them has been something I will never forget about my times at St. John XXIII. From the Opening Day victory to the big shutout wins to even the 10-run inning in the revenge game in Shiner, I have had a blast writing stories and documenting these record-setting moments, while getting a chance to watch some great softball. I cannot wait to see what next year’s team will accomplish, but if they are anything like this year, get ready to re-write the record books.   

Key Notes/Moments

• First 6A State Championship Game in school history

  • Football played in 4A/5A/Division 2 State Championship Game

• Lions struggled at the plate, despite making noise/contact

• Only run scored on 2-out RBI single by Lyndie Swanson

• Shamrocks got all 3 runs with 2 outs

• Nota Bene: Another crazy day for the 2 seniors (Sarah Callahan and Valerie Grandjean), graduating at 10 AM at school, then were able to play in biggest game of their high school career

  • TAPPS moved game from 2 PM to 3 PM to ensure enough time 

What's Next?

Lady Lions (13-4) - return 7 of the starting 9, but will need help at catcher, losing both options in Callahan and Grandjean; will continue to have dominance in the circle as Swanson returns, before heading off to Houston Baptist as the Lady Lions will look to return to the Final Four

Shamrocks (28-13) - gets the hardest accomplishment in sports: a 4-peat - will look to defend their title yet again next year, despite losing half their starting lineup to graduation

The St. John XXIII Lady Lions play in the TAPPS 6A Softball State Championship Game today against the San Antonio Incarnate Word Shamrocks in Crosby, TX. Here's what you need to know in advance of the REALLY BIG game:

Important Info:

Where: Crosby HS Softball Fields in Crosby, TX (55 minute drive from SJ23)

When: Saturday, May 19th at 3:00 PM - head there after graduation to cheer on your Lady Lions!

Play-by-Play/Broadcast? Due to TAPPS regulations, NFHS Network is responsible for broadcasting the Final Four and the State Championship Games for each division. It is $9.99 for a season pass that gives you access to every game and can be seen here: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/tapps/gam1f66486b80#

We will also try to keep the Twitter updated to reflect what is happening real-time

Stakes: There is a state title on the line - no bigger stakes than that!

Teams:

Opposing Team: San Antonio Incarnate Word High School Shamrocks

• Originally established in 1881 and now apart of the "Brainpower Connection" affiliated with University of the Incarnate Word

• Currently an all-girls Catholic high school

• School Population: roughly 490 students

• Mascot: Shamrocks

• Record: 23-11, 2-0 in TAPPS Div. 1 - District 2

• Defeated Liberty Christian 9-2 (Regional Final) and St. Agnes 4-1 (Final Four) to make it back to their third straight state championship game 

Home Team: Katy St. John XXIII College Prep

• Mascot: Lady Lions

• Record: 13-3, 8-2 in TAPPS Div. 1 - District 3

• Defeated Ursuline Academy 11-1 in 6 innings, Antonian Preparatory 14-2 in 5 innings, and Nolan Catholic 4-0 to make it to the BIG GAME

• Underdogs?: The Lady Lions knocked off undefeated Nolan Catholic to make it to the state title matchup, despite being heavily overlooked and instead dominating the Lady Vikings (go look at the recap) 

Previous Meetings?

This is the first recorded matchup between the Shamrocks and Lady Lions.

Good luck Lady Lions - we are all rooting for you on this very special day - now get out there and bring home some hardware!

By George Kopf - Head of Operations

CROSBY, TX – For the first time in school history, the Lady Lions are headed to the State Championship on Saturday, following a 4-0 victory over undefeated Nolan Catholic in what turned out to be a fantastic pitching duel early. In the biggest game of the season, junior Lyndie Swanson had her best pitching performance ever in a Lion uniform, throwing 7 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits, 3 walks, and striking out 19 out of a possible 21 batters. Just as she did against Ursuline, Swanson took a perfect game into the 4th inning, and after striking out 8 of the first 9 batters, the top of the order, Lady Viking Homick, found a way to get on with a single and start a rally, to which Swanson responded with 3 straight strikeouts.

            Despite the hot hitting success by the Lady Lions (13-3) hitters, their bats began to cool off a bit, managing only 5 hits over the course of the game. Scoreless into the fourth inning, cleanup hitter sophomore Calli Collins got on with a single. The next 3 batters responded with 3 quality-at-bats, scoring on an RBI groundout by junior Savannah Arnold and a RBI single by Taylor Gandolfo, breaking the tie, putting the Lions up 2-0. They added insurance later in the sixth inning after another extra-base-hit by Collins and a bunt single by sophomore Skylar Kutra, who then later scored on a defensive obstruction, putting Nolan Catholic (21-1) in a tough spot: down by 4 and not many at-bats left. They made it interesting in the seventh, however, as Swanson walked the bases loaded with 2 outs. She settled in for her 123, 124, and 125th pitches of the afternoon, and fittingly, striking out the number 9 hittter, Reeves to end the game, and move on in the State Tournament.

            Whether you’re graduating in the morning or sleeping in until noon, the Lady Lions need you to make it out to the fields in Crosby, TX and cheer them on! They will play San Antonio Incarnate Word (23-11), the 3-time defending state champions, at 3 PM today taking part in the first 6A State Championship Game for any St. John XXIII sport. Good luck today, and we can’t wait to see y'all to bring that trophy home!

*Football played in 4A/5A State Championship

Key Notes/Moments

• Advance to first 6A State Championship in school history

  • Football played in 4A/5A/Division 2 State Championship Game

• 4-5-6 batters (Collins, Kutra, and Arnold) responsible for all 4 runs, 2 RBIs, and 4 hits

• Despite hitless day, most of the lineup provided with walks, HBP, or sacrifice bunt - everyone was involved in the game

• Nota Bene: In what was a crazy day for the 2 seniors (Sarah Callahan and Valerie Grandjean), they went a combined 0-8, with 4 Ks, but were still able to get to the Baccalaureate Mass on time!

• In the 3 playoff games, the Lions have scored a combined 29 runs (9.6 per game), hit 4 HRs, have a ..432 team batting average (35-81)

What's Next?

Lady Lions (13-3) - close season on Saturday with the state championship game versus the Incarnate Word Shamrocks out of San Antonio 

Lady Vikings (21-1) - sees their perfect season comes to an end yet again at the Final Four, but very impressive season for them - lose quite a few seniors, and that experience

The St. John XXIII Lady Lions play in a TAPPS state semifinal against the Fort Worth Nolan Catholic Lady Vikings in Crosby, TX. Here's what you need to know in advance of the big game:

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Important Info:

Where: Crosby HS Softball Fields in Crosby, TX (55 minute drive from SJ23)

When: Friday, May 18th at 4:00 PM - head there after school to cheer on your Lady Lions!

Play-by-Play/Broadcast? Due to TAPPS regulations, NFHS Network is responsible for broadcasting the Final Four and the State Championship Games for each division. It is $9.99 for a season pass that gives you access to every game and can be seen here: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/tapps/gam1f66486b80#

We will also try to keep the Twitter updated to reflect what is happening real-time

Stakes: Winner advances to the State Championship Game on Saturday, May 19

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Teams:

Opposing Team: Fort Worth Nolan Catholic High School 

• Established in 1961 by the Marianist Brothers and the Sisters of St. Mary Namur

  • Opened as Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, then changing in 1964 to its present name, Nolan Catholic High School, named after the Monsignor Robert Nolan​

• School Population: roughly 850 students, co-ed

• Mascot: Vikings and Lady Vikings

• Record: 21-0, 16-0 in TAPPS Div. 1 - District 1

• Defeated Beaumont Kelly 15-4 in Madisonville, TX in a Regional Final to advance to third straight Final Four

Home Team: Katy St. John XXIII College Prep

• Mascot: Lady Lions

• Record: 12-3, 8-2 in TAPPS Div. 1 - District 3

• Defeated Ursuline Academy 11-1 in 6 innings and Antonian Preparatory 14-2 in 5 innings to advance to Final Four

• What About 2008?: The Summer Olympics were in Bejing, Barack Obama just got elected President, and the current seniors were only 8 (or 9) years old
  • That was the last time the Lions reached the Final Four, which up until now was their best playoff finish - they hope to at least one up that 2008 2A team and make it to the State Championship Game
  • BTW - they were defeated by Wichita Falls Notre Dame in that semifinal

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Additional Storylines:

• Lady Vikings are dominant - outscored district/private school opponents 249-12, with 3 no-hitters, and 10 shutouts - including 8-in-a-row 

• This is not Nolan's first rodeo at the Final Four - last year, however, they lost 9-4 to Antonian Prep (which went on to lose 21-6 to SA Incarnate Word)

• Sophomore 3B Calli Collins (8-8 - HR, 7 RBIs, 5 2Bs), senior C Valerie Grandjean (2.125 OPS, .500 BA - 2 HRs, 4 RBIs) and junior P Lyndie Swanson (5-7 - HR, 5 RBI, HBP) look to add to their already impressive playoff résumés, will need to be big and have big time hits in this one

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Previous Meetings?

This is the first recorded matchup between the Lady Vikings and Lady Lions.

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Keys to the Game

St. John XXIII

• Must hit multiple HRs

• Lyndie Swanson pitches near perfect/dominant/or solid game (limit the damage)

  • Nolan will score; it's all about stopping them from scoring in bunches​

• Another strong start by the 1-2-3-4-5 batters - it is crucial to really get to Vikings starting pitcher Rachel Larsen early in the first inning

• Score early and often - consistent scoring, not just one big inning

• Finally, have fun! When you're playing in a final four for the first time in 10 years, be loose and enjoy it!

Nolan Catholic

• Dominate the first and second innings - start strong

• Shut down the 1-2-3-4-5 batters early and consistently

• Get 2 or 3 big run innings, each of 5+

• Force a run-rule - not enough stamina to got the distance

• Focus on one game at a time, win then look at State Championship Game

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Other TAPPS Playoff Action

The TAPPS Baseball State Semifinals have been set, and are to be played on May 15th in Crosby, TX 

- Argyle Liberty Christian Warriors vs. Houston St. Thomas Eagles

- Tomball Concordia Lutheran Crusaders vs. Beaumont Kelly Catholic

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Here is a look at the TAPPS Softball Playoffs:

Regional Finals

Game 1: SA Incarnate Word def. Argyle Liberty Christian 9-2 (Madisonville HS)

Game 2: Hou. St. Agnes def. Hou. St. Pius X 12-1 in 5 innings (Hous. Baptist Univ.)

Game 3: St. John XXIII def. SA Antonian 14-2 in 5 innings (Shiner Starplex)

Game 4: FW Nolan Catholic def. Beaumont Kelly 15-4 in 5 innings (Madisonville HS)

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State Final Four - to be played at Crosby ISD Fields: Crosby, TX

Semifinal #1: Nolan Catholic vs. SJ23

Semifinal #2: Incarnate Word vs. St. Agnes

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State Championship Game

Semifinal #1 Winner vs. Semifinal #2 Winner

By George Kopf - Head of Operations

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SHINER, TX – Party like it’s 2008! The Lady Lions are headed back to the TAPPS State Final Four, after defeating San Antonio Antonian Preparatory 14-2 in a 5-inning run-rule on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the Shiner Starplex in Shiner, TX. Behind a solid performance by junior pitcher Lyndie Swanson, the Lions continued what they have done the whole season: textbook hitting and lots of it. After being designated the visiting team on a coin flip, the Lions got started early and looked to stay hot, coming off of Tuesday’s victory – they ended up sending seven to the plate, chasing the Apache starting pitcher out of the game in only the opening frame. Mainly singles, the Lions put together quality at-bats to get up 4-0 early. Putting pressure on the Apache hitting from the start, Swanson pitched yet another quality start, allowing one run in the first, but settling in to only allow 6 total base runners the rest of the game.

     The Apaches continued to play and stay in the game, keeping the Lions hitters at bay, until the fifth inning. In what has to be a school record, the Lions sent 14 batters to the plate, managing 10 runs on 10 hits, leaving one aboard all in the same inning. Eight consecutive hits, including un-traditional back-to-back-to-back dingers by senior Valerie Grandjean, Swanson, and Collins, making it 8-2 in a hurry. The bottom of the lineup continued to make contact, recording 3 singles and eventually a bases-clearing double by Swanson (in her second at-bat of the inning) to end the scoring in the fifth, giving the Lions a 14-2 lead headed to the bottom of the inning. After the inning was over, it was all but clear who was going to advance, and following a 1-out single, Swanson got the next two batters, including a flyout to left field, to clinch only the second Final Four appearance in program history, the first since moving up to Division 1/6A.

     The Lady Lions look to make even more history on Friday, as they face Nolan Catholic High School (outside of Fort Worth) and the Lady Vikings in the first semifinal game in Crosby, TX at 4 PM, with a chance to advance to their first ever state championship game on Saturday.  

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Key Notes/Moments

• Lady Lions finally got their revenge in the rematch after the 6-2 loss to the Apaches in the same round last year

• 1-2-3-4 hitters (Grandjean, senior Sarah Callahan, Swanson, Collins) responsible for the 3 HRs, 10 of 13 possible RBI, scored 10 runs, and had really good at-bats in general

• Lions grounded into 1 double play and struck out twice - only negatives

• Everyone in the lineup except for sophomore Morgan Delacruz, had at least 1 hit - she came close, was robbed of base hits twice

• Sophomore Skylar Kutra was back in the lineup, since injuring her right shoulder - she went 1-3 with a walk, single, sacrifice bunt, groundout and scored 1 run - good to see her back to full hitting strength

  • Apaches took advantage of her not being able to throw, advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt in the first, along with bunting to 3rd base side, forcing there to be no one covering the bag​

• Kept the same lineup with the exception of slotting Kutra in the 5 spot

• Pitcher Lyndie Swanson - 5.0 innings, 2 ER on 5 hits, walked 2 and struck out 4

• In the 2 playoff games, the Lions have scored a combined 25 runs, hit 4 HRs, have a .545 team batting average (30-55)

What's Next?

Lady Lions (12-3) - play on Friday against Nolan Catholic Vikings (19-0) at Final Four in Crosby with a state championship berth on the line

Apaches (15-17) - season comes to an end, but still very impressive season for them; look to do just as good and even better next year

Decide to make the trip to Shiner, TX on Saturday? Here's what you need to know in advance of the neutral site, TAPPS Regional Final matchup between the St. John XXIII Lady Lions and the Antonian Preparatory Apaches

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Important Info:

Where: The Shiner Starplex in Shiner, TX

When: Saturday, May 12th at noon

Play-by-Play? There will not be any live video/audio coverage, but follow our Twitter for between inning updates and score updates

Stakes: Winner moves onto the State Final Four in Crosby, TX next week

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Teams:

Opposing Team: San Antonio Antonian College Preparatory High School

• Established in 1964 by Archdiocese of San Antonio

  • It was originally an all boys school, becoming co-ed in 1989​

• School Population: ~800 students

• Mascot: Apaches

• Record: 15-16, 0-2 in TAPPS Div. 1 - District 2

• Defeated Bishop Dunne 8-3 in Opening Round at home to get to this point

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Home Team: Katy St. John XXIII College Prep

• Mascot: Lady Lions

• Record: 11-3, 8-2 in TAPPS Div. 1 - District 3

• Defeated Ursuline Academy 11-1 in 6 innings to get here

• Best Playoff Finish: 2008 TAPPS 2A State Final Four
  • The Lions look to get back there, 10 years later

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Additional Storylines:

• Skylar Kutra will be back in the lineup, playing first base and batting 5th, after being ruled OUT against the Bears

  • Still causes a shift for Savannah Arnold to shortstop

• These two teams have plenty of connections since moving up to 6A

  • Tim Petersen is the current principal for Antonian (was SJ23 Principal up until 2015)​

  • "Rivals" with each other in other sports too (swimming, soccer, track, occasionally basketball)

​

Previous Meetings?

This is the second matchup in 2 years with the Apaches. Last time, the Apaches won the Regional Final in Weimar, TX 6-2 on their way to a state championship appearance. The Lady Lions look to get revenge on this young team - lost quite a bit of upperclassmen and strong talent, causing them to change their mentality this year

​

Other TAPPS Playoff Action

The TAPPS Baseball State Semifinals have been set, and are to be played on May 15th in Crosby, TX 

- Argyle Liberty Christian Warriors vs. Houston St. Thomas Eagles

- Tomball Concordia Lutheran Crusaders vs. Beaumont Kelly Catholic

State Championship

Liberty Chr/STH vs. Concordia Luth/Kelly

​

Here is a look at the TAPPS Softball Playoffs:

Regional Finals

Game 1: SA Incarnate Word defeated Argyle Liberty Christian 9-2 (Madisonville HS)

Game 2: Hou. St. Agnes def. Hou. St. Pius X 12-1 in 5 innings (Hous. Baptist Univ.)

Game 3: SA Antonian vs. St. John XXIII - May 12 @ Shiner Starplex, 2:00 PM

Game 4: FW Nolan Catholic vs. Beaumont Kelly - May 12 @ Madisonville HS, 7 PM

​

State Final Four - to be played at Crosby ISD Fields: Crosby, TX

Game 5: Nolan Cath/Kelly vs. Antonian/SJ23

Game 6: Incarnate Word vs. St. Agnes

​

State Championship Game

Game 5 Winner vs. Incarn. Word/Agnes

By George Kopf - Head of Operations

​

KATY, TX – In front of a huge crowd out at the SJ23 Diamond at Fischer Field, the Lady Lions put on a hitting clinic, running away to an 11-1 victory over Dallas Ursuline Academy in 6 innings, after a walk-off single by sophomore Calli Collins. The bats were on fire, managing 16 hits, especially from the heart of the lineup. The 3-4-5-6 hitters (junior Lyndie Swanson, Collins, junior Savannah Arnold, and junior Taylor Gandolfo) seemed unstoppable, at least to the Bears and their freshman pitcher, Ashley Pinson. These ladies led the hit barrage, going 12-14 at the plate with 5 doubles, 7 singles, and 8 of the 11 RBIs. The Lady Lions began their performance at the plate with a string of 3 singles and a double by these 4 players, getting out to an early 2-0 lead in the 1st inning. The Lions continued to get to Pinson later, with back-to-back 3 run innings to end the game. Looking to send their fans home happy and early, the Lions went into the sixth inning and got 3 winning runs, highlighted by senior Valerie Grandjean’s big 2-run homerun. In her final at-bat at Fischer Field, she took the first pitch she saw from Pinson, unlike her three previous at-bats, and took it way beyond the left field wall. Following the big hit, senior Sarah Callahan got aboard and came around to score on Collins’s big hit, sealing the victory.

     Although the hitting was big and came at key spots, junior pitcher Lyndie Swanson looked nothing short of dominant and impressive in the circle. She took a perfect game into the fourth inning, striking out the first 9 hitters; 9 up, 9 down through 3 innings. In the top of the fourth, Ursuline leadoff hitter Rachel Pierce, added to her team leading batting average of .439, grinding out a single through the left side, breaking up the no-hitter and perfect game all in one swing. Swanson still continued the dominance, though, finishing with 6 efficient innings, allowing 1 unearned run on 3 hits, and striking out 15 – her first such performance at home since the home district opening win against Beaumont Kelly.

     The Lady Lions will look to continue their hot hitting and solid pitching, as they take on San Antonio Antonian Prep at the Shiner Starplex in Shiner, TX on Saturday at 2:00 PM. The winner moves on into the TAPPS State Final Four to face either Beaumont Kelly or Nolan Catholic High, the following Friday, May 18th.

​

Key Notes/Moments

• Got the leadoff hitter aboard in 5 of the 6 innings - showed patience at the plate

• Again, 3-6 spots in the lineup: 12-16 with 5 doubles and 7 singles, responsible for 8 of the total 11 RBI

• Freshman Emma Oelkers made her first start this season, batting 8th and playing first base, in place of the injured Skylar Kutra - forced a walk and had hard-hit ball to right (resulted in fly-out)

• Coach Connor debuted a new lineup once again, moving Grandjean into the leadoff spot, with Callahan hitting 2nd - kept the rest the same

What's Next?

Lady Lions (11-3) - move on in bracket to face a familiar foe - Antonian Prep, this time in Shiner, TX - the winner plays in Crosby for a chance at a state championship next week

Bears (8-15) - look to learn from playoff experiences this year, bring back most of the same team, looking to make it back to State Semifinals next year 

The St. John XXIII Lions take on the Dallas Ursuline Academy Bears this Tuesday, May 8 in a home playoff game, the final true home game of the season. Here's what you will need to know before the 3PM first pitch:

​

Important Info:

Where: The SJ23 Diamond at Fischer Field - Katy, TX

When: Tuesday, May 8 at 3:00 PM on LSN - coverage begins at 2:45 PM

Playoffs?: Yes please! The winner moves on to face Antonian Prep in a regional final and one win closer to the state finals

​

Teams:

Visiting Team: Dallas Ursuline Academy

• Opened in 1874 - oldest operating school in Dallas

• School Population: ~800 students

• Mascot: Bears

• Record: 8-14, 7-9 in TAPPS Div. 1 - District 1

• Previous Playoff Appearances

  • 2017: Loss in TAPPS 1st Round​ (St. Pius X)

  • 2016: Loss in TAPPS Regional Round​​ (SA Incarn. Word)

  • 2014 & 2015: Back-to-back TAPPS Final Four Losses (SA Antonian Prep)​​

• Key Players​​
  • ​Freshman 3B Lauren Norvell
    • Hitting .600 last 3 games​
    • Last game: 4-5 with 3 RBIs vs. Trinity Chr.
  • Junior C Rachel Pierce
    • .439 season AVG, leads team
  • Sophomore 1B Nicole Clements & Senior OF Bella Mihalic
    • lead team w/15 RBIs
  • Freshman P Ashley Pinson
    • pitched every reg. season inning​

• Interesting Fact: The Bears have won their last 2 games, each by at least 10, including a 18-8 win over TCA to clinch a playoff spot

​

Home Team: Katy St. John XXIII College Prep

• Mascot: Lady Lions

• Record: 10-3, 8-2 in TAPPS Div. 1 - District 3

• Home Field Advantage?: For sure! The Lady Lions have been dominant at SJ23 Diamond this season, going 6-1 overall, and outscoring opponents 42-13
  • Only Home Loss​? 2-6 to St. Agnes, who went undefeated in the district
• Playoff Motivation? These Lions are looking to be different than last year, bowing out in the Regional Finals, after a 2-6 loss to Antonian - they can get their revenge in the next round this year with a win against Ursuline
• Best Playoff Finish: 2008 TAPPS 2A State Final Four
  • The Lions look to get back there, 10 years later​

​

Additional Storylines:

• Due to a shoulder injury, SS Skylar Kutra will move to 1B and Savannah Arnold will fill the gap - could possibly be an issue for the Lions Infield

• The Bears are a young team - very little experience (2 SRs and 2 JRs)

• This is the final broadcast of the inaugural season - make sure to watch until the end for commentator George Kopf's final sign-off as a SJ23 student

​

Previous Meetings?

This will be the first matchup between these two teams.  

​

Other TAPPS Playoff Action

The TAPPS Baseball Regional Finals are set, and are to be played on May 10:

- Argyle Liberty Christian Warriors vs. Houston St. Pius X Panthers

- San Antonio Antonian Apaches vs. Houston St. Thomas Eagles

- San Antonio Central Catholic Rattlers vs. Tomball Concordia Lutheran Crusaders

- Beaumont Monsignor Kelly Bulldogs vs. Dallas Bishop Lynch Friars

​

State Final Four

Liberty Chr/SPX vs. Antonian/STH

Cent. Catholic/Concordia vs. Kelly/Lynch

​

Here is a look at the TAPPS Softball Playoffs:

Opening Round

Beaumont Kelly def. Plano JPII 9-3

SA Antonian def. Dallas Bishop Dunne 8-3

SJ23 vs. Ursuline

Argy. Liberty Christian def. Tom. Concordia Luth. 10-0

Houston St. Pius X def. Dallas Bishop Lynch 4-2

​

Regional Finals

Game 1: FW Nolan Catholic vs. Beaumont Kelly - neutral site

Game 2: SA Antonian vs. winner of SJ23/Ursuline

Game 3: SA Incarnate Word vs. Argyle Liberty Christian

Game 4: Hou. St. Agnes vs. St. Pius X

​

State Final Four - to be played at Crosby ISD Fields: Crosby, TX

Game 5: Nolan Cath/Kelly vs. Antonian/SJ23 or Ursuline

Game 6: Incarnate Word/Liberty Chr vs. St. Agnes/SPX

​

State Championship Game

Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner

_________________________________________________________________________________

​

Tune in to Lion Sports Network's coverage of this big playoff game, beginning at 2:45PM CT/12:45PM PT. You don't want to miss this big game, so get to the YouTube App, search up 'Lion Sports Network' to stay informed with the biggest broadcast of the season!

​KATY, TX - Our spring seasons are coming to a close. But first, let's take a look at how the back half of the seasons went for these sports in this penultimate and sixth volume of the 2018 edition of Lions Roundup.

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Boys Baseball continued their slide, and unfortunately lost every district game this year. Despite the disappointing result, the boys kept themselves in each game, especially down the stretch, losing 7 of their last 8 games by less that 3 runs a piece. This included a great comeback on the road against rival St. Thomas, that ultimately ended in walk-off fashion and another incredible chance at a season-ending victory against Beaumont Kelly at home. Although the results are not what anyone would have wanted, we are still proud of the effort that the boys put forth each day on and off the field. Looking forward to a much improved season next year, Lions!  

​

Lady Lion Softball (10-3, 8-2) continued to be dominant, losing only twice to St. Agnes, finishing in a solid second place in the district. Led by junior standout pitcher Lyndie Swanson and senior catcher Valerie Grandjean, the team rolled to big wins, including a 2-1 victory in Beaumont against the Kelly Bulldogs and a 4-3 win over St. Pius X in the final regular season home game for the seniors. This team is ready to break records and contend for the state championship once again this year, especially as they were, at one point, ranked #6 in the state for 6A-Private Schools. The Lady Lions will begin their #RoadToState with a home playoff game against Dallas Ursuline Academy Bears on Tuesday, May 8th. We will have coverage of the game, including a sad-but heartfelt farewell to our senior Head of Operations George Kopf as he will sign off for the final time. Plus, there will be exclusive pregame content getting you up-to-date on everything you need to know about the playoffs and much more. Go out and get the win, Lady Lions! 

​

Track & Field ramped up in a hurry, as the Regional Meet held last week allowed a few of our Lions to head to State, coming up on Friday. We wish them well and hope they can bring back some hardware with them too!

Tennis completed its season, and for the first time since Coach Eric took over the program, the team had state alternates! Senior Claudia Ibanez and her sister, sophomore Andrea Ibanez, made it through the district tournament, qualifying as the 1st state alternate (meaning if someone was unable to make it, they would get the call-up). Despite not being able to represent St. John XXIII at the state tournament, we are still very proud of these two young ladies. We wish you, along with the rest of the team, well wishes for the next season! 

Stay tuned for one final volume of Lions Roundup, dialing in on the softball playoff results, the track state results and any loose ends in Lion Athletics, which you can only find here on Lion Sports Network!

​KATY, TX - Spring has officially sprung! Beautiful weather and exciting storylines round out the 2018 sports scene in Lion Athletics. Here's a look into the spring sports as we recap their opening weeks in this fifth edition of Lions Roundup.

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Boys Baseball started their 2018 campaign on a really strong note, going 7-1 in the month of February. The boys had to fight through some bad, rainy weather playing no games for a week and a half. It did not seem like adversity to them, outscoring opponents 48-23 in this span. Despite the current 7-game losing streak, including two tough, grueling losses to St. Thomas, the boys head into the middle of district play still in the thick of it, playing St. Pius X, Concordia Lutheran, and Beaumont Kelly all before playing St. Thomas again in late April. They look to get back on track against St. Pius X at home in two weeks. 

​

Lady Lion Softball continues its excellence it left off with last year, being ranked #5 in Division I among the TAPPS coaches. Despite having their first 3 games postponed, the Lions got out to 3 straight victories, including a 16-1 win over Concordia. Heading into a midweek, top-5 ranked, matchup against St. Agnes, the Lions fought hard, and even leading the game going into the 5th inning, lost 3-1, losing their first game of the season. They bounced back at home against Incarnate Word, bringing out the bats to get the 16-0 shutout. The Lions will get back going on Holy Tuesday, away against St. Pius. Keep up the good work, Lady Lions!

​

Track & field, along with tennis, also continue their seasons, looking for big improvements among all team members. We wish the best of luck to all these athletes. 

There you have it, the final sports season is among us. We will have broadcasts of softball and baseball starting back up the week following Easter Sunday. Keep it here for more highlights and recaps on Lions Roundup, found exclusively on Lion Sports Network!

By George Kopf - Head of Operations

​

HOUSTON, TX - Lion Basketball just keeps on winning. They battled for 4 grueling quarters in back-to-back games, defeating Beaumont Kelly and Awty, in their first district games of the season. The Lions (11-5, 2-0) are currently on a 5-game winning streak, holding their opponents to 28.7 ppg over this span. On January 2, the team took on the Kelly Bulldogs at home and although were tied 19-19 at halftime and did not make a 3-pointer the entire game, opened the third quarter on a 10-0 run, as they went on to win 43-32. This was the Lions first district win in over a year, with the last being a victory over Awty before Christmas last season. Carrying momentum from that game, the Lions went on the road to Awty's home court on January 4, defeating the Rams 52-38. For the first time in at least 4 years, the Lions are on top of their district, and for now, they are the team to beat. 

​

Key Notes/Moments

Beat 2 district opponents in 3 days, resulting in 2-0 district record:

• Def. vs. Beaumont Kelly 43-32 on Jan. 2

• Def. @Awty 52-38 on Jan. 4

​

What's Next?

Lions (11-5, 2-0) - face Episcopal HS in non-district game on Jan. 6, before returning to district in a HUGE showdown at home against St. Thomas (9-10, 1-0) on Jan. 9

Bulldogs (11-11, 1-1) - tough game against Tomball Concordia (28-1, 1-0) at home on Jan. 5, then travel to Houston to face Village (14-1, 0-0)

Rams (1-10, 0-3) - return to action next week @Concordia, then head back home to face Village 

KATY, TX - As move into the final sports season of the school year, even though we have 6 more weeks of winter, thanks to Punxsutawney Phil the Groundhog, let's take a look at how each winter sports wrapped up their season in this fourth version of Lions Roundup.

​

Boys Basketball unfortunately went on a slide after a strong start to the back half of the season, losing five straight, putting the Lions way behind in the district race. They battled back to get one more district win (vs. Awty) and were in position down the stretch to become the 5-seed in our district. After tough losses to St. Pius X and the Village School however, the Lions had to settle for the 6th seed for the second straight season, and once again found themselves playing Dallas Bishop Lynch in the first round. The Lions traveled to College Station, giving them a neutral site contest with the Friars. Considered to be the number one overall seed in the TAPPS State Championship Tournament, the Lions knew they had their work cut out for them. Making shots and controlling possession seemed to be difficult for both teams, but after creating a 13-point lead at the end of the first quarter, the Friars prevailed 60-33, sending the Lions home, despite a valiant effort for the upset. Junior Kristian Gerberding had one heck of a season finale, recording another double-double (19 points and 12 rebounds) and seniors Matt Stasia, Patrick Heslop, and Noah Sandoval combined for 4 points in their final game as members of the Lion Basketball team. The team finished 13-15, just two games below .500, but was the best season result since the remarkable 20-win season in 2013-14. We cannot wait to see what happens next year boys - wishing all the best for a bright season!

Lady Lions Basketball also had a tough finish and went into their district tournament, staring down the 5-seed from the district. Just like the boys, they finished with the sixth seed, and traveled to College Station to face the Bishop Lynch Lady Friars. The girls could not keep the Friars off the board and faced a 30-point deficit at halftime. Junior Megan Thorseth finished the game with 10 points, going 1-2 from the FT line. In her final game, senior Kelli Teal struggled, but made some very good passes and finished her career with 2 points in this contest. With only one senior leaving the team, a bright future is ahead for Coach Vee's team. They look to build upon their solid 15-18 season; good luck and wishing for the best!

​

Boys Soccer struggled in the back half of the season, but also provided special moments. On Senior Night, the boys finally got their first district win of the season, defeating Beaumont Kelly 1-0. It was a final exclamation point on the season that had many hardships and frustrations on the year - the team ended with a 6-15-1 record that will be ready to build upon for next year. Wishing you all the best for next season!

​

On the other hand, Girls Soccer continued their excellence into the homestretch of the season. They got to 9 straight wins, before finishing with a 1-1-2 record at a tournament in Brownsville. The Lady Lions proceeded to lose the final 3 regular season games, finishing 3rd in the district standings. These Lions would still have a chance to host the first round of the playoffs, if they got it done in the district tournament. Defeating Village twice put them in a very good situation. They lost the St. Agnes for the number one seed, placing them in a winner-take-all match vs. Awty. Winner gets a home playoff match; loser goes on the road. Unfortunately, playing a neutral-site match did not help the Lady Lions, losing 3-0, which meant heading on the road for the first round of the playoffs. The TAPPS State Tournament draw was released and saw the Lady Lions taking on Plano John Paul II. On a cold, breezy Tuesday, the Lions could not get any scoring chances to go their way, leading JPII to ride to an easy 6-0 win. Although the Lady Lions did not win, the team finished with a respectable 13-6-3 record and looks to a very successful future ahead for Coach Zayne and his Lady Lions!

​

Finally, SeaLion Swimming  finished the season on a strong note, as the boys showed excellence at the Regional Meet, finishing as runners-up to St. Thomas. Qualifying 10 boys and 4 girls, the team traveled to Mansfield for the State Championship Meet. Everyone had their best times of the season, and had a respectable finish at the meet. Sophomore Canyon Neundorfer was the only SeaLion to find the podium, placing third in the 200 freestyle. Great season SeaLions, and we hope for another successful season next year!

​

Don't forget - baseball and softball begin their 2018 campaigns on the road to the State Championship. We will have regular updates and even more news on those sports as we have hit the homestretch of our broadcast season!

​

Keep it here for more Lions Roundups!

The St. John XXIII Lions take on the Monsignor Kelly Bulldogs this Tuesday, January 2 in the first district game of the season. Here's what you will need to know before the 6PM tip-off:

​

Important Info:

Where: SJ23 Gym, Katy, TX

When: Tuesday, January 2 at 6:00 PM on LSN

Importance: It's the first district game of the season for the Lions!

​

Teams:

Katy St. John XXIII College Preparatory

• Mascot: Lions

• Record: 9-5

• Potent Offensive Weapons: Matt Stasia '18 and Alex Machnizh '19 behind the 3-point line

• Interesting Fact: Head Coach Jerome Llorens' halftime speeches are so full of emotion that the Lions always dominate the third quarter, usually starting with a double-digit run (15-1, 10-2, etc.)

​

Beaumont Monsignor Kelly High School

• Mascot: Bulldogs

• Record: 11-10, 1-0 in district play 

• Previous District Wins: def. Awty 65-42
• Anything Else? The Bulldogs are 6-4 in regular, non-district games, so look for them to keep the game close.

​

Major Storylines:

• The Lions are coming into the game with a 3-game win streak, outscoring opponents, 159-71; holding opponents to 23.6 ppg​​

• The Bulldogs had a 4-game win streak snapped, after losing to Kashmere, 55-68.

• During their 4 straight wins, the Bulldogs only allowed 37.5 ppg, including only allowing 17 to Cypress Christian (their season low)

​

Previous Meetings?

There are 4 other recorded meetings: (3-1 series record in favor of Kelly)

2013 Season - Nov. 16 @Kelly 63-30 (W)

2015 Season - Nov. 21 vs. Kelly 73-43 (L)

2016-17 Season - Dec. 6 @Kelly 75-42 (L)

                           - Jan. 20 vs. Kelly 65-52 (L)   

​

Other Athletic Notes/News

Lady Lions Basketball plays immediately before the game, taking on Royal High School Falcons for the second time this season. Good luck Lady Lions!

​

Tune in to Lion Sports Network's coverage of this big showdown, beginning at 6PM CT/4PM PT and starting with a possible edition of Lions Gameday. You don't want to miss this big game, so make a New Year's Resolution and download the YouTube App, search up 'Lion Sports Network', and enjoy!

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KATY, TX - Christmas Day has come and gone; the presents have been unwrapped and played with. New Year's Eve could not have come sooner. We bid adieu to the events and memories we made in 2017, including the debut of Lion Sports Network, but reminisce one final time to recap results occurring over Winter Break in this third edition of Lions Roundup.

​

Boys Basketball cruised to an easy 53-24 victory over rival Faith West Academy, as multiple Lions reached double digits in scoring and rebounds. The Lions (9-5) look to start the New Year right, as they face the Beaumont Kelly Bulldogs (11-10, 1-0) in their first district game on Tuesday, January 2 in our New Year's Showdown broadcast, beginning at 6 pm. Be sure to check out our pregame guide, coming soon!

Lady Lions Basketball are staying above the .500 bar, defeating Tidehaven earlier in the break. The team (12-10) is looking forward to a rematch as they take on Royal High School on January 2, prior to the Boys Basketball game vs. Beaumont Kelly. The Lady Lions previously lost to the Falcons 47-41, an away loss. Go get the win, Lady Lions!

​

Boys Soccer had a much needed break and are getting ready for an away match against Frassati Academy. The Lions (4-7, 0-4), as mentioned before, have 2 very favorable matchups ahead of them before returning to district play.

​

On the other hand, Girls Soccer is still finding ways to win, defeating St. Pius X and Duchesne, 2-1 and 3-0, respectively over the break. These Lady Lions (7-0-1, 4-0) are tied with St. Agnes at the top of their district, due to 7 straight wins following a season-opening tie. They, like the boys, get back to action with an away match against Frassati, where they look to continue the win streak. 

​

SeaLions Swimming has ramped up practices, weathering out the cold to get in much needed practice time ahead of the most important portion of the season. The SeaLions get back to work on Saturday, January 6, as they look to win their own home meet (hosted at Katy High School) for the 4th consecutive year. We wish them the best of luck as they complete the homestretch of the season (Jan. 13 - Alvin Invite @Manvel HS; JAN. 18 - TAPPS Regionals @ Univ. of Houston Pool).

​

Keep checking back for more news and highlights on Lion Athletics and more Lions Roundups!

We hope you and your families have a Healthy and Prosperous New Year as we begin the great year of 2018!

KATY, TX - Since we last checked in on Lions athletics, so much has happened. The Astros won their first World Series (yes, we are still celebrating), we moved our broadcasts indoor (it's great to be broadcasting basketball!), and we saw some major snow (about 1 to 1.5" of acculumation), almost exactly 8 years to the day. Much excitement filled the air last Friday, and as we take a pause from studying for exams, here's your second edition of Lions Roundup.

​

Boys Basketball has gotten a great and rather surprising start to the season, reaching many milestones for this experienced squad. They started 3-0, a first in recent memory, defeated Lutheran South for the first time since 2011, and got their first buzzer-beater (a 3-pointer by junior Alex Machnizh in that same game). They are currently sitting at 8-3, after defeating Northland Christian 68-23 (their second win over the Cougars this season) and Logos Prep 38-24 last week. They will play again over the break at the Lutheran South Tournament, and at home against former district rival Faith West Academy (Dec. 19) , and then open district play in a New Year Tip-Off game against Beaumont Kelly (Jan. 2). We will be broadcasting LIVE from both games, so tune in, especially if you are not in town. 

​

Girls Basketball is still playing .500 basketball, currently with an 11-9 record, and have not entered district play. Over the break, they will play on the road against Tidehaven High (Dec. 20) and also at home against Royal High School in the New Year Tip-Off game prior to the boys first district battle. 

​

Boys Soccer is continuing to show improvement in every game, even if their record does not show that. Sitting at 4-6, 0-3 (last place in district) they will get at chance to change that come Friday night at home against St. Thomas, and then 2 favorable matchups later in the break (at Frassati, at Fort Bend Christian).

​

Girls Soccer has put together 5 straight wins, bringing them in a tie for first in the district with Beaumont Kelly and St. Agnes. The Lady Lions (5-0-1, 2-0 in district) shocked Concordia Lutheran, seen as one of the best teams in the state, and look to continue the excellence, facing St. Pius X and Duchesne at home and going on the road against Frassati, all during the break.

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Last, but certainly not least, the SeaLions Swimming is gearing up for the main portion of their season. After solid finishes at the Battle for the Crown (3rd overall), Manvel "Don't Be a Turkey" Invite (2nd overall) and Tomball "Big Cat" Invite (1st overall), the SeaLions put up strong times at the Pearland Reindeer Classic, which was against mostly public schools and therefore did not come away with any hardware. They get ready to swim at the Quad Meet against St. Thomas/Duchesne, Awty, and Westside HS, on Friday, and then into their own HOME meet (at Katy HS), the St. John XXIII New Year's Classic where they have won all 3 years that the meet has been run. 

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Check back later for more news and highlights on Lion Athletics - especially our Winter Break "Lions Roundup" edition to find out how all these teams did. 

KATY, TX - Halloween brought lots of excitement to Lion Athletics this week, including some big wins: here's your first edition of Lions Roundup, generally a weekly recap of what happened in SJ23 Athletics.

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Lady Lions Volleyball gave it their all, but sadly saw their season come to an end, with a defeat to Plano John Paul II in the first round of the playoffs. They finished the year 3rd in district, their best finish in recent memory. Looking forward to an even better season next year - way to go Lady Lions!

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Boys and Girls Soccer began their seasons last week, each playing Fort Bend Christian on Thursday. Boys rolled to an 11-1 victory, while the girls played to a 4-4 draw. Keep on grinding, Lions!

​

Lions Basketball is beginning to ramp up, in preparation for their season opener against Northland Christian on November 17. We will be there for their home opening doubleheader the following day, Saturday, November 18 for games against Emery-Weiner and Austin Regents.

​

SeaLions Swimming is way into season, as they prepare for their next meet, Battle for the Crown in San Antonio on November 11. So far this season, they have taken big wins at the British School Sprintathalon, the Bay City Relays, and a strong second-place finish at the Hoot 'n Holler meet last weekend in Burnet, TX. Just keep on swimming, SeaLions!

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Check back later for more news and highlights on Lion Athletics, including the first edition of our podcast Inside the Prowl, coming every other Monday, starting in November.

By George Kopf - Head of Operations

​

KATY, TX - The Lions ended this year's season routing the St. Dominic Savio Eagles 41-0 on a cold senior night at SJ23 Stadium. The Lions offense looked sluggish in the first quarter, and unexpectedly, the defense provided the first score, as Tommy Loyd took a fumble to the house (#scoopandscore), giving the Lions a 7-0 lead. However, as the game going on in downtown Houston (that is World Series Game 3) started, the Lions offense finally began to settle in and get into a groove, scoring 5 unanswered rushing touchdowns in 3 quarters, all of which came from QB Ben Turner. The passing game did not develop at all, strangely compared to the previous week against Village, therefore, forcing the Lions run game to carry them to a 21-0 halftime lead. K Austin Angelo added to his stellar PAT season record, going 19/20, missing only one (going just wide left after the fifth TD scored on Friday night). Angelo had hit 26 straight extra points dating back to last season, before the miss. The Lions defense denied any chance at an Eagles score, forcing five turnovers, along with three fourth-down stops, including one at the goal line. They recovered their third fumble, with 1:20 left to put an end to the rout. Although the Lions did end the season with a 2-0 record in the district, they unfortunately do not qualify for playoffs. As the seniors walked off the field for the last time on Friday night, they know that they gave it their all to give St. John XXIII their best regular season record in 4 years.

Key Notes/Moments

Weather was cold, windy on late October evening, 57 degrees at kickoff - affected passing game

Undefeated in "district" (2-0) for first time in school history

Pitched at least 1 shutout in back-to-back seasons (vs. Kelly, Village (2016) and vs. Savio)

Outscored opponents 101-36 in all 3 wins (33.6/game); 

Won all 3 games this season by margin of at least 16 points (28-12, 42-24, 41-0)

Lions offense had 2 fumbles on bad pitches, but had to be because of the cold weather

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Key Players

QB Ben Turner - 5 rushing TDs - outstanding performance this seasons; had 11 of the 20 TDs scored)

LB Jake Williams - INT, returned 10 yards, setting up a Ben Turner TD

LB Tommy Loyd - Fumble Recovery, returned 45 yards for TD; had at least 150 yards rushing - had second non-offensive TD of the season (Garland McClure's pick 6 vs. Village)

DB Keegan O'Connor - big INT, led to 3 yard Ben Turner rushing TD; could not get anything done offensively

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What's Next?

Lions (3-5, 2-0) - return 8 offensive starters next year, including junior QB Ben Turner; look ahead to a new format in the independents division/district, will see Beaumont Kelly, Village, and Savio all again next year

Savio Eagles (3-5, 1-1) - continue onto playoffs, face #1 Village on November 4, winner to state championship game

The St. John XXIII Lions take on the St. Dominic Savio Eagles this Friday, October 23 in the biggest district game of the season. Here's what you need to know to be ready for the 7PM kickoff on Friday night:

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Important Info:

Where: SJ23 Stadium, Katy, TX

When: Friday, October 23 at 7:00 PM

Playoff Implications? Savio clinches #3 seed with win, clinch #4 seed with loss

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Major Storylines:

• Savio has a 2-game win streak - will they continue it and roll into the playoffs or will they lose it?

• Savio has also won those 2 games by a combined 9 points - look for Friday's game to be close - and stay close

• The Lions are coming off their first district win @ Village - can they go undefeated in district play for the first time ever?

• Lions QB Ben Turner looks to continue his recent success against the Eagles defense (6 Total TDs in last 3 games)

• Lions won 42-24 last week and have surrendered at least 12 in both wins - this is an improvement; all five losses - surrendered at least 36 (average 42.6/game)

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Previous Meetings?

There is only one recorded matchup - last year (2016) in Austin, the Lions were on the short end of a highly-contested game, 13-7.

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Key Matchup

Lions Passing Offense vs. Eagles Secondary/Pass Defense

The Eagles have a similar secondary to that of the Village Vikings - Lions exposed and broke away from the Vikings defense, leading to big plays, high yardages, and resulted in a 32-yard TD pass

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Other Athletic Notes/News

Lady Lions Volleyball sets it up tomorrow (Tuesday, October 24) as they play in the first round of playoffs against Duchesne Academy in the Competition Gym. We wish them the best of luck tomorrow!

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#BeatTheEagles #SAVIOvsSJ23 

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By George Kopf - Head of Operations

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HOUSTON, TX - Momentum is a idea that may or may not exist, depending on the situation. The Lions truly used momentum on Friday night, as they scored 35 unanswered points, defeating the Village School Vikings 42-24 in both schools' first district game of the season. The Lions did not start out strong against the Vikings, punting on their first three possessions of the game. After being down by 10 with 8:39 left in the second quarter, the Lions began to turn everything around. An amazing catch by receiver Ian Craig set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Ben Turner (his second of the year) and a interception returned for a touchdown by Garland McClure, and the Lions were back in business. They went on to add four more touchdowns - 3 running and 1 passing - allowing under 24 points for only the second time this season. The Lions sealed the district win with a 12-yard running TD from QB Ben Turner, putting the Lions up 42-17 with 2:30 left, placing them in a great position for a potential playoff game.

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Key Notes/Moments

Lions defeat Village for second year in a row

Score 42 against one opponent in back-to-back wins (most since 2012-2013 vs. Lutheran South - 51 and 37 points)

Secured first road win of the season (1-2 in road regular season games this season)

Lions have won both games this season by margin of at least 16 points

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Key Players

QB Ben Turner - 3 Total TDs (2 rushing, 1 passing) - makes him responsible for 6 of the 14 TDs scored

RB Mark Lloyd - 1 rushing TD, big INT (6th TD of season - all running)

WR Keegan O'Connor - 1 receiving TD, key kickoff/punt returns (5 solid returns)

DBs Garland McClure & Alex Sickafoose - combined for biggest defensive plays of game (Garland - the pick-6 and Alex - big sack to end the first half)

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What's Next?

Lions (2-5, 1-0) - head home to face St. Dominic Savio (3-4, 1-0) for senior night; also big district game for both teams

Vikings (5-2, 0-1) - end regular season against St. Anthony Catholic, hoping to finish regular season strong

By George Kopf - Head of Operations

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KATY, TX - They say streaks get broken when talked too much about. Tell that to the SJ23 Lions Football team Friday night in their homecoming game against the Victoria St. Joseph Flyers. After just 1:02 of gameplay, on their third offensive play from scrimmage, running back Mark Lloyd took a pitch play 60 yards to the endzone, for his third touchdown of the season, snapping a 13-quarter scoring drought, dating back to the first game of the season versus Lutheran South. The Lions would continue the scoring, including a 87-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Turner, finding receiver Keegan O'Connor wide open on the far sideline, extending the Lions lead to 14-0. Ben would add another running TD, his first on the year, as the Lions took a 21-6 lead to halftime. After the crowning of the homecoming court, the Lions looked to their defense to shut down the Flyers. Indeed they did, recovering 3 fumbles, including one in the fourth quarter that sealed a 28-12 victory, their first of the season, improving their overall record to 1-5. This victory came albeit a fourth-quarter scuffle, ending in four ejections - 2 Flyers and 2 Lions. All four players will be suspended for the first half of next week's games, which could lead to a big blow defensively for the Lions. 

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Key Notes

Player of the Game: QB Ben Turner (3 Total TDs - 2 Rushing, 1 Pass)

Lions Offense was able to produce 300+ yards of offense - a big improvement

Lions Defense looked good - continued to force teams to turnover ball

Big Plays for the Lions helped propel them to the win

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Looking Forward

Lions (1-5) head to Beaumont Kelly next week, looking for first road win this season

Flyers (1-5) begin stretch of 5 district games, starting with Westbury Christian at home