Fresh off a 26–9 season in 2024-25 and finishing as runners-up in District 19-6A, the Katy Taylor Mustangs start the 2025-26 basketball season with renewed focus.
The team continued its dominance in the HISD platinum bracket tournament, defeating Bellaire High School 77–35 and sending an early signal that losing last year’s Offensive MVP hasn’t slowed them down.
Senior point guard Casey Scherpereel, the tournament’s Offensive MVP, leads a veteran starting five that includes Michelle Nelson, Kolbi Cairns, and Tyarie Jack, along with sophomore Callie Schmaltz. Under head coach Blair Ary, Taylor isn’t focused on rebuilding the Mustangs, but is reloading with expectations of a deep playoff run and a district title.
“Last season’s success boiled down to one thing: genuine unity,” said Ary. “Our team shared the same goals, trusted each other completely, and truly loved playing together.”
That joy and togetherness propelled Taylor to the third round of the 2024–2025 playoffs before a 60–39 loss to Pearland Dawson. This season, the Mustangs have similar ambitions but with a higher ceiling. Their 77–35 statement win against Lamar High School, along with a commanding run in the HISD tournament, demonstrated exactly where they stand: a team learning how to impose its will through relentless pressure for all 32 minutes.
“Our identity is to speed the game up, turn defense into instant offense,
Blair Ary
and wear teams down,”
“Our identity is to speed the game up, turn defense into instant offense, and wear teams down,” said Ary. “At times, the pressure dips, but the effort and intent are outstanding. The girls are working incredibly hard to make a fast-paced, opportunistic style our trademark, and nights like that 42-point win are what it looks like when the pressure clicks.”
With the tournament statement behind them, the Mustangs now focus on district play, relying on experienced leadership and emerging talent.
Scherpereel leads not just with her voice but also through her work ethic, an approach that earned her Offensive MVP honors at the HISD tournament.
“Winning Offensive MVP motivated me to raise my standards and keep proving my work ethic throughout the season,” said Scherpereel. “The award reminded me that consistency, discipline, and effort matter.”
With four seniors in the starting lineup and only one underclassman, leadership remains a priority.
“As a senior, I want to be a good role model for the younger players to succeed, so I focus on being someone they can watch and learn from,” said Scherpereel.
“Casey leads with quiet confidence, an incredible work ethic, and a deep care for her teammates,” said Ary. “Because she’s been in their shoes at every level, the younger players trust her completely, and the standard she sets every single day is the standard the entire team strives for.”
A four-year varsity contributor, Scherpereel offers empathy and perspective that enable her to mentor younger players effectively.
“Her presence instantly boosts the credibility and confidence of the younger players,” said Ary. “When Casey believes in them, they start to believe in themselves. That trust speeds up everything.
While the seniors set the tone, the Mustangs’ next generation is eager to make its mark.
Sophomore Callie Schmaltz is the only underclassman in the starting lineup, stepping into a key role alongside experienced veterans.
“Stepping into the starting five has made me take practice more seriously because I know my teammates are counting on me,” said Schmaltz. “I focus more on details like defense, communication, and effort, not just scoring. In games, I’m more confident but also more aware that I need to stay locked in from the opening tip.”
With a blend of youth and experience, Taylor combines energy with discipline, positioning the Mustangs for another deep postseason run. Unity remains the core principle Ary emphasizes in building a championship-level program.
“Each individual has to work as hard as they can within their purpose/role for the greater good,” said Ary.
The HISD winter tournament reflected that culture.
“It demonstrated our ability to work together while supporting each other in every game,” said senior point guard Michelle Nelson.
“Our team faced diversity in many forms, and through it all, we made it out together,” said senior guard Kolbi Cairns.
“That tournament reflected how we play as a team,” said senior power forward Tyarie Jack. “Unity is a big thing for us and our biggest motivation every time we step on the court. We stick together no matter the circumstance.”
Culture alone doesn’t win games, but it sets the stage for leadership, chemistry, and ongoing playoff success.
Taylor’s goals stay the same each season: overachieve in every part of the game through relentless effort.
“We don’t chase other people’s expectations,” said Ary. “We define what overachieving looks like for this specific group. That means improving every day in shooting, defending, rebounding, conditioning, and team chemistry. If we do that, the district title and a deep playoff run will be the natural outcome.”
“Honestly, the success of the team means the most to me because, whether or not I have the best game, I know that my teammates always have my back,” said Jack. “My focus is always on what I can do to help us as a team succeed and win games.”
With a veteran-led lineup and the district’s focus squarely on them, the Katy Taylor Mustangs aren’t just reloading; they’re positioning themselves to make history.
“Wins and losses are the scoreboard, but growth is measured by how much we overachieve relative to our own potential,” said Ary. “We set very detailed, individualized benchmarks for every player and for the team as a whole: shooting percentages, defensive efficiency, hustle stats, practice intensity, leadership moments, you name it. At the end of the season, we’ll look back and ask, ‘Did we become the absolute best version of this team?’ If the answer is yes, we grew, regardless of the final record. That’s the Taylor basketball way.”
