Jumping at an Opportunity

Cy Springs’ Mansa El takes leap into coaching boys

Cy Springs’ Mansa El takes leap into coaching boys
Mansa El charged into coaching boys at Cy Spring

Mansa El wasn’t supposed to be a Cypress Springs’ boys’ basketball coach when the school year began.

After being hired as an English teacher in September, El heard about an opening for the Freshman A head coach and varsity assistant positions. She nailed the interview for both.

“It kind of just happened,” El joked. “I’m not one to back down from an opportunity, so I went ahead and took it.”

El was a good fit for the roles because she played at Cy-Fair High School, and later North Texas, Tallahassee Community College and South Alabama.

She was also an assistant coach for West Virginia Wesleyan College and the University of Houston girls’ basketball teams.

She hopes her past experience guides her players to individual and team success, whether it’s winning district titles before high school graduation, or being recruited and playing in college.

“I was happy to share that with them, having been there in the past,” she said.

Even with a transition period, El found early success in year one.

It started with her competitive nature, which implemented the necessary winning mentality that will help her players make the jump to varsity. She also used her straightforward, tell-you-how-it-is coaching style to critique her players’ games. She made adjustments for the faster boys’ game, as well as developments in player mentality and athletic abilities.

It resulted in a winning record for the freshman A team, which went 14-11, and the varsity’s second-straight playoff berth.

“It was really fun for me to be so hands-on with everyone,” El said. “Once [varsity head] coach [Sam] Benitez told them that I was going to be there, they all bought into the idea of me being there. Varsity has really taken advantage of me being around. I think the freshmen are still getting used to me.”

This article appears in the March Issue of VYPE Magazine. Pick up your copy when issues hit stands next week! 

 

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The White Sox beat the Astros, 5-4. Photo by Griffin Quinn/Getty Images.

Luis Robert Jr. tied it with an RBI single with two outs in the sixth inning, stole second base and scored the go-ahead run on Edgar Quero's single as the Chicago White Sox rallied to beat the Houston Astros 5-4 on Sunday in a game shortened to seven innings by rain.

The game was delayed for 80 minutes before being called. It was the White Sox’s second series victory of the season and their first series win against the Astros since July 2021. Chicago had lost or split its last six series with Houston.

Chicago reliever Mike Vasil (1-1) earned his first career win after holding the Astros without a hit in 2 1/3 innings.

Lance McCullers Jr. made his first start for Houston since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series. The 31-year-old right-hander missed the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons, but kept the White Sox scoreless Sunday in 3 2/3 innings. McCullers allowed three hits, walked three and struck out four.

Astros reliever Steven Okert (1-1) allowed two earned runs in one inning. Zach Dezenzo hit his first homer of the season for Houston and Mauricio Dubón had a two-run single.

Key moment

With two outs in the sixth and a rain delay looming, Robert dropped a 2-1 pitch into center field for a single. Chase Meidroth came around to score from second, tying it at four. Robert stole second, enabling Quero to bring him home on what turned out to be the winning base hit.

Key stat

Entering Sunday, Chicago was 30th in the majors with runners in scoring position, hitting just .202 this season. The White Sox initially struggled, but finished the game 4 for 13 with runners in scoring position. All five of the team’s runs came with two outs.

Up next

The Astros will continue their road trip in Milwaukee, while the White Sox head to Kansas City for a four-game series against the Royals. Both series are scheduled to begin Monday.

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