Nov. 10, 2011 — It was an exciting day for young student-athletes across the Klein ISD as nine signed national letters of intent to play at the collegiate level. Each of the four high schools had students make commitments during the national signing day, with representatives from the basketball, softball and baseball programs.

Klein Collins High School has had six students-athletes sign to play at the next level. Veja Hamilton inked her ticket to Fort Worth to play basketball for Texas Christian University (TCU) next fall. Hamilton is a four-year starter for the Tigers girl’s basketball team who has earned back-to-back District MVP honors the past two years.

Seniors Molly McCage and Austin Dean both committed to the University of Texas. McCage led the Lady Tiger volleyball team in blocks, and set a school record as a sophomore with 147. Dean plays in the infield for the Tigers baseball team, and will join the Longhorns in 2012. Another volleyball signee included Heidi Otto, who is slated to join the University of Southern Mississippi. As an outside hitter for KCHS, Otto holds the record for most aces in a season with 91 in 2011. Hailing from the softball program, infielder Jessica Borrego committed to Concordia University and third basemen Angelica Gonzales will play with Sam Houston State.

Klein High School had two student-athletes sign national letters of intent to play baseball at the college level. Senior infielder and pitcher Blake Rhodes committed to Stephen F. Austin University, while senior outfielder and pitcher Johnathon Tripp heads west to play for Texas Tech University.

Caption: Bearkats Johnathon Tripp (left) and Blake Rhodes (right) sign national letters of intent for baseball. Photo courtesy of Anthony Serrano.

Klein Forest High School senior Derail Green penned his letter of intent to play at Wichita State University in the fall. He becomes the 10th Golden Eagles player since 2007, 37th athlete overall, to earn a college basketball scholarship.

Caption: Senior Derail Green with his parents Rodney and Yorbarnette Green and Golden Eagles head coach Cary Black and coach Lance Alexander.

Klein Oak High School had six student-athletes, three baseball, two softball and a wrestler, celebrate advancing onto college competition. From the Panther softball team is Kali Gardner (DePaul University) and Mattison Maisel (Texas Tech University). Meanwhile, Travis Hennessey (Texas Christian University), Nolan Holland (Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi) and Dusty Theiss (Rice University) hail from the Klein Oak baseball squad. Travis Leiskau also received a scholarship to wrestle at the University of Nebraska-Kearney next season.

Caption: Klein Oak student-athletes who signed national letters of intent include (L-R) Mattison Maisel (Texas Tech), Nolan Holland (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi), Kali Gardner (DePaul), Travis Hennessey (TCU) and Dusty Theiss (Rice).