Alief ISD Winter 2025-26

PREGAME

CONTENTS TABLE of

01 Tomas Delarosa A letter from the Assistant Athletic Director 02 Dr. Anthony Mays A letter from the Superintendent of Schools 03 Brand Recognition Alief ISD 2025-26 Winter Photo Feature Mighty Rams Chasing Hardware 07 Joyful Noise Alexandra Brooks Leaving a Lasting, Multifaceted Impression at Alief Elsik \\ By Matthew Ogle 08 On The Come Up Elsik’s Balanced Approach Could Extend the Lady Rams Basket ball Team’s Historic Streak 10 Tunnel Vision Muhammad, Elsik Boys Basket ball Have a Clear Focus in Mind, Following Postseason Berth 12 Taking Ownership Elsik Swim Hoping to Build On a Largely Player-Led Roster This Winter 06 Elsik High

14 Proven Performers Boys Soccer Continues to Be a Defining Brand at Alief Elsik 15 Unfinished Business Elsik’s Dany Molina Anchors the Renowned Boys Soccer Pro gram’s Next Chapter 16 Changing Formation The Lady Rams Soccer Team Will Look to Capitalize On the Pitch In Critical District Matchups 18

24 Locked In Hastings Boys Soccer Ready for the Grind of a Loaded 20-6A Slate 25 Style of Play Cohesion Will Drive Santiago Castillo, Hastings Into 2026 \\ By Matthew Ogle 26 In the Spotlight Expectations Soar for a Hast ings Girls Soccer Squad That Snapped a 9-Year Playoff Drought In 2025 28 Showing Up Coach Jaundoo Praises Steady Progression, Consistency Within Hastings Swim 29 AISD Fine Arts The Growing Canvas of Student Success and Community Con nection \\ By: Meredith Harrison 30 Taylor High Roaring Lions Beast Mode 31 Next In Line The Latest Kongolo Sibling, Sean, Etching His Story Into Alief

32 Gaining Ground

Seasoned Blend of Returning Figures Likely to Put ATHS Boys Hoops Back In the Running 34 Best In the Business Alief Taylor GBB Ready to Respond After Last Winter’s Superb Showcase 36 The Last Lap Lin, Taylor Swim Have Even Greater Ambitions In Their Immediate Future 38 Compete Forever Taylor Alumna El-Bjeirmi Leads a New Era for Girls Soccer 39 Rise to the Occasion Chavez Maintains Composure In a Revitalized ATHS Girls

Hastings High Fighting Bears

Territorial 19 In Sync

Tisdell Finds Her Identity Through the Lady Bears’ Evolution \\ By Matthew Ogle 20 “Run It”

Soccer Program \\ By Matthew Ogle 40

Breaking Through Alief Taylor Boys Soccer’s Unity Could Reshape the 20-6A Outlook

Speed and Physicality Playing Instrumental Roles In This Era of

Hastings GBB 22 Battle-Tested

Collins, Hastings Will Aim to Optimize a Vertan-Heavy Boys Basketball Roster

Taylor Boys Hoops \\ By Matthew Ogle