Matt Malatesta

There is nothing like being in an over-crowded hot basketball gym in January when the weather is crisp outside. It’s like a muggy summer afternoon after a rain shower in the inner city.Fans feel like they are an arms- length away from the action, as coaches struggle to shout instructions over the ch...

IT’S RARE FOR A CITY TO HAVE ONE OR TWO NATIONAL GIRLS’ BASKETBALL RECRUITS IN A CLASS.Well, the Class of 2027 in the city of Houston is special.The popularity of girls’ basketball has completely skyrocketed. Names like Caitlyn, Angel, A’ja, Breanna, Kelsey and Sabina are mainstream, household brand...

SHELTON HENDERSON IS REPRESENTING HOUSTON MUCH LIKE TJ FORD, DANIEL EWING, DE’AARON FOX, JUSTISE WINSLOW, THE HARRISON TWINS, JARRED VANDERBILT AND QUENTIN GRIMES DID BEFORE HIM.The aforementioned were all kingpins of Hoopston.Now, it’s his turn as he holds Bellaire’s dreams in the palm of his hand....

John Hebert is an anomaly.The Strake Jesuit running back leads the state of Texas with an astounding 3,110 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns—but he has no cell phone.Hebert has no curated social media presence, no slow-motion hype videos, and no interest in the spotlight. As one of seven siblings, he’...

VYPE's Matt Malatesta and Jackson DiPasquale talk about with paths through the playoffs for Greater Houston-area teams in this week's episode of "On My Whistle".Who will be the biggest story the weekend? Who will upset the apple-cart in their respective regions? It's going to be a weekend, so check ...

19 - CYPRESS LAKES SPARTANSLast season, Cypress Lakes marched all the way to the Regional Semifinals for the first time in program history. The Spartans finished with an impressive 25-11 overall record, and a fifth-round appearance. It was their second-straight season of winning 20-plus games. The S...

No. 17 — MEMORIAL MUSTANGSThe Mustangs are not far removed from reaching the Regional Semifinals in 2023. Memorial went 24-13 overall a year ago and brought home the District 17-6A crown for a third-straight season. Last year, the playoff road ended in the Area Round. Fifteenth-year coach Jyusef Lar...

17 -- FRIENDSWOOD MUSTANGSDanny Russell has flipped the script inside of Friendswood basketball. Coming over from Katy High two years ago,Russell is a perfect fit for the Mustangs. With a brand-new facility and several returners back from a 24-11 team, Friendswood is trending.The ‘Stangs fell 48-46 ...

16 -- GRAND OAKS GRIZZLIESGrand Oaks and coach Anthony Stephens return three experienced starters off of a 23-17 team that reached the third round of the postseason. The newest Conroe ISD school will have a legit shot at a district title this season and a historic run in the playoffs. The Grizzlies’...

No. 14 — WILLOWRIDGE EAGLESThis season will have Willowridge entering new territory as they shift from Class 5A down to Class 4A. The Eagles will compete in District 21-4A this year after going 28-9 overall and 11-3 in district play a year ago. Willowridge reached the Area Round of the playoffs and ...