Team tennis: Mustangs galloping into prominence

In its first season with seniors, Cy Ranch challenged for a region berth this fall, and several coaches expect the Mustangs to make even more noise during the individual spring season.

"I really think you'll see some Cy Ranch players get out of district in the spring," Langham Creek coach Terry Moran said. "They have some really talented players, especially among their girls."

One of the best is Cy Ranch junior Amy Lindquist, the defending District 13-5A girls singles spring champion.

The Lady Mustangs also feature Courtney McWilliams, Teja Birudala, Megan Iselin, Savannah Smith, Delaney Brewer and Christine Shtepani.

Nick Dang, Tariq Zahroof, Aaron Gladstone, David Barth, Weston Eardley, Bryan Jin and Steven Dang made up Cy Ranch's boys lines in team tennis, and are expected to continue to be leaders in the spring.

"We're pleased about the progress the program is making," Cy Ranch coach Lindsey Duncan said, "but there were several close losses this fall that could have made a big difference in our chances of getting to regionals.

"We're looking forward to the spring and seeing how our players continue to improve in what is a very competitive district."

Cy Falls, Cy Woods and Cy Ranch finished right behind 13-5A winner Cy-Fair and second place Langham Creek this fall.

Cy-Fair and Langham Creek earned berths to the Region 3 Tournament on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 29-30 in Deer Park.

Basketball is here

The high school basketball season officially started with the first day of practice for girls last week (Oct. 20), and the boys get it going on Wednesday, Oct. 27.

Other key dates for the girls are the first day for scrimmages on Saturday, Oct. 30, and first games on Nov. 8.

Everything for the boys, including first scrimmages on Nov. 6 and first games on Nov. 15, are a week later than the girls, and that corresponds with the respective state tournaments on March 3-5, 2011 (girls) and March 10-12 (boys).

More sports on tap

The first day for wrestling meets and tournaments is Nov. 8, and girls and boys will continue to compete throughout the season with a goal of state berths on Feb. 25-26, 2011 in Austin.

The district swimming and diving certification deadline is Jan. 29, 2011, so area natatoriums are starting to get even busier.

The UIL State Swimming and Diving Meet is Feb. 18-19 in Austin.

District 17-5A football

Several key matchups have playoff ramifications in District 17-5A this week, and two of the best are Langham Creek at Cy Creek at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29 at the Berry Center, and Cy Ridge at Cy Woods at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30 at Berry.

Another good one is Cy-Fair at Cy Ranch at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30 at Berry.

District 17-5A volleyball

Cy Woods has clinched the 17-5A championship, and Cy-Fair has locked up second place, and that leaves Jersey Village, Cy Ranch and Cy Falls battling for the last two playoff berths.

Among the 6 p.m. district finales on Tuesday, Oct. 26, Cy Falls at Jersey Village looks to be the best, and it just might decide who advances and who doesn't.