A festive attitude was in the air as students, faculty and administration filed into the gymnasium of
Manvel for the 8th Annual MaxPreps Basketball Tour of Champions presented by the National Guard presentation. MaxPreps and the Texas National Guard were on site to honor the Manvel H.S. Lady Mavericks basketball team with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy on Thursday, April 17.
Manvel High School, located south of Houston, is in the Alvin Independent School District. Established in 2006, Manvel's athletic programs have become some of the best in the Greater Houston Area in this short time period. The girls basketball team took the program to a higher level by finishing the year with a 38-2 record while winning the always tough Texas Class 5A State Championship by beating perennial powerhouse Duncanville, 58–53. The Lady Mavs ended up ranked No. 9 nationally out of 20,000 teams by MaxPreps.
As the students entered the gym, they were not only greeted by the fired-up Manvel cheerleaders, but also by Sergeant Markeith J. Berry and Specialist Brittany Fullmighter of the Texas Army National Guard. SGT Berry and SPC Fullmighter won over the crowd as they distributed National Guard lanyards and pens throughout the bleachers.
As the presentation ceremony began Kirk Martin, head football coach and campus athletic director, welcomed those in attendance and congratulated the Lady Mavs on receiving this tremendous award. MaxPreps representative Bill Moore then recapped the outstanding season the Manvel Lady Mavs had, explained the MaxPreps ranking system and thanked the Army National Guard for their partnership. SPC Fullmighter followed by pointing out the character traits a championship team and the Army National Guard have in common — discipline, hard work and commitment.
SPC Fullmighter then presented the Army National Guard national ranking trophy to head coach Bryan Harris. The trophy consists of a Minuteman statue symbolizing hard work, dedication, commitment to a cause and consistency — all traits the National Guard stands firm on.
Coach Harris was grateful in receiving this prestigious award. He thanked his staff, the team, the school and the community for their support, as well as MaxPreps and the Army National Guard. Coach Martin then closed the award ceremony by leading the crowd with a chant: "Hoka Hey, Hoka Hey." This is their school motto which means the team always comes first.
Congratulations coach Harris on an outstanding season! We look forward to many more championship seasons!
