Amarillo High basketball‘s Damonze Woods, left, head coach Jason Pillion, Brendan Hausen and Cade Hornecker stand together after Woods, Hausen and Hornecker signed to play Division I basketball Wednesday night. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
Jaycee Adams, West Texas A&M volleyball
School: Bushland
Position: Libero
Why WT: “It’s a family. You can see it with the coaches, you can see it with the players. They all love each other. I love to have relationships with my coaches, and these coaches will be great for me.”
Briley Barnes, Tulsa University basketball
School: Amarillo High
Position: Forward
Why Tulsa: “There are so many reasons. I have a strong academic focus, so I wanted a school that could get me that. I also loved the coaching staff and the chemistry the team plays with. I didn’t start playing until seventh grade, so by the time I was in eighth grade I knew I wanted to play at the college level. This is a real special moment.”
Mattie Boyd, West Texas A&M basketball
School: Canadian
Position: Forward
Why WT: “I never thought I was going to WT. Then I sat down with coach (Josh) Prock, and It was like I was having lunch with my best friend. It was amazing how comfortable coach Prock makes you feel. It really put things in a new perspective for me.”
Abrey Galt, Oklahoma Baptist University volleyball
School: Tascosa
Position: Setter
Why OBU: “I loved the coaches and the team. Everyone I met was welcoming. Everyone supports everyone, and it just clicked. It felt right when I went on my visit.”
Brendan Hausen, Villanova University basketball
School: Amarillo High
Position: Guard
Why Villanova: “They have class coaches, and it’s a first class school. I fell in love with it when I went up there, and I love the plan they have for me. I love the style of play, and I feel it’s the best fit for my family and I.”
Cade Hornecker, Southern Illinois University basketball
School: Amarillo High
Position: Center
Why SIU: “I visited and i just loved the culture. I loved the environment, and it felt like home. I love the coaches, the people, the university. There wasn’t one thing I didn’t like.”
Mason Ladd, Amarillo College baseball
School: Randall
Position: Catcher/ Infielder
Why AC: “We get to play at Hodgetown. That’s going to be pretty fun. Also, my family will get to watch me. That was important. I like like coach (Brad) Rains, and what he’s about. I’ve been wanting to play college baseball forever. I just want to see how far I can go doing this.”
Currie Marusak, Texas Tech University volleyball
School: Amarillo High
Position: Outside hitter
Why Tech: “Texas Tech has been a dream for me since I was little. All of my family has gone there, I’m excited to be a part of the program. The coaches are great and the team is awesome.”
Cameron McConnell, Oklahoma State cross country
School: Randall
Why OSU: “I’ve been looking at OSU for about a year. It felt like home when I took visits. The campus is so beautiful, and the coaches are great. We’re going to have a great recruiting class going in, and I’m super excited to go be a part of it.”
Taylor McDaniel, UT Permian Basin Baseball
School: Randall
Position: First baseman
Why UTPB: I’ve always wanted liked that area of the state. I could always see myself playing down there. It’s close to home, but not real close. The program made me feel at home, and I loved the coaching staff. This has been my dream ever since I can remember. I’m ready for the next step.”
Heaven Moreno, West Texas A&M softball
School: Randall
Position: Middle infielder/ Pitcher
Why WT: “Being close to home was very important. I wanted my family near me so they could come and support me. WT also just won a national championship so it’s an honor to be a part of a program where I can compete for a national title.”
Jaelin Ornelas, Texas Lutheran University softball
School: Caprock
Position: Pitcher/ Middle infielder
Why TLC: “The first time I went there I loved it. Every school I talked to I kept comparing it to Texas Lutheran. I love the location, the campus is everything. This is something I’ve wanted to do since I was 10-years old.”
Joey Pennington, Kansas Wesleyan University
School: Amarillo High
Position: Right side
Why KWU: “It’s a smaller school, but everyone is really close. I can’t wait to get there, and be apart of it and make new friends. This is just so exciting.”
Taytum Stow, West Texas A&M volleyball
School: Hereford
Position: Middle blocker
Why WT: “It’s close to home, and that was important to me. The coaches are amazing, and WT has great tradition. Coach (Kendra) Potts is one of those coaches is one of those that truly cares and was so welcoming. This is a dream and I can’t believe it’s almost here.”
Damonze Woods, UT Arlington basketball
School: Amarillo High
Position: Forward
Why UTA: “I really love the coaching staff. They tell you the truth, and don’t shy away from anything. They are really loving, and it’s a great program. I just can’t wait to get going down there.”
Brielle Worley, Abilene Christian University volleyball
School: Amarillo High
Position: Outside hitter
Why ACU: “It’s a great environment. They have a great team, and I can’t wait to be there. The coaching is great, and it’s the best place for me.”