Nick Mantas
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Sports Reporter 🎤 at @KPRC2
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@MedillSchool Mafia 👨🏻🎓 @uarizona strength coach 👨🏻🎓
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Articles by Nick Mantas
North Shore football isn't focused on repeating as 6A D1 State Champions
Published: August 26, 2026 at 10:41 PM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: August 26, 2026 at 10:41 PM HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Coming off their 7th UIL State Championship season, the North Shore Mustangs are just two days away from the start of their 2026 season on Friday night. But when speaking with the Mustangs, they made it very clear that they aren’t letting any pressure of repeating as state champs stop them from achieving their goals.
Prairie View Football is ready to "finish the fight" this season
Published: August 19, 2026 at 10:29 PM PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – The Prairie View A&M football team is not letting last year’s four-overtime HBCU National Championship game loss dampen the program’s energy. The Panthers know they didn’t finish the way they wanted to, which has led to this year’s motto. “They understood what moment that was; they understood what happened,” said Panthers Head Coach Tremaine Jackson.
Rice volleyball is looking to build on last year's success
Published: August 11, 2026 at 10:30 PM HOUSTON – With the 2026 Rice Volleyball season coming up in a couple of weeks, the Owls gave us access to their practice facility to see how the defending American Conference Champions are preparing for their upcoming schedule.
What does DeMeco Ryans want to see in the Texans first preseason game?
Published: August 11, 2026 at 7:11 PM HOUSTON – With the upcoming Houston Texans’ preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Reliant Stadium on Thursday night, we got access inside the stadium for Tuesday’s practice. Head Coach DeMeco Ryans shared what he wants to see from his players during the game. “The main thing I look for our first game, the first time out for 2026, is: are we displaying our play style?” said Ryans.
Katy girl with Down syndrome finds her place on the soccer field
KATY – Athletes with slightly different physical capabilities often have more passion for their sport. For Naila Crow, her Down syndrome is only seen as an aspect of her life, and she learns differently than other athletes. Naila lives in Katy and this past summer, her parents, Ben and Irma, started taking her to soccer classes after hearing how much Naila’s cousin enjoyed the facility and the coaches.
UH Football begins fall camp with focus on accountability
HOUSTON – The Houston Cougars began fall camp practices Wednesday morning with a new sense of pride in their program. The accountability of the coaching staff and the players is more of a priority than last year. Defensive Coordinator Austin Armstrong stated that if his defense gives up 40 points per game this upcoming season, he’ll be working at H-E-B next season. The Cougars’ defense allowed an average of only 23 points per game last season, the fifth-best in the Big 12 Conference.
Lamar Little League Baseball is back in Southwest Regional
Published: July 29, 2026 at 8:33 AM HOUSTON – For the third straight year, the Lamar Little League baseball team won the state championship at the 12U level. Next week, they’ll play in the Southwest Regional in Waco with a chance to make it back to the Little League World Series in Williamsport for the second straight year. The team is full of personality and characters, which the coaching staff manages by letting them be themselves.
UH's Shadre Hurst enjoys painting to relieve stress
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Pat Onstad ecstatic for Canada's World Cup journey to Houston
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Houston mother & son Morocco fans were at historic win last night Original
Published: June 30, 2026 at 10:28 PM HOUSTON – When Morocco advanced to the Round of 32 in the FIFA World Cup 2026, Madiha Bekkali knew she wanted her son to see them play in person and bought tickets to the game in Guadalajara, Mexico, against the Netherlands. Friends of hers told her not to waste her money and to wait until Morocco reached the Round of 16 in Houston, but she didn’t want to take that risk, which turned out to be one of the best decisions she could have made.
Houston Dynamo's Brazilian players are bummed they'll miss seeing Brazil play on Monday
Published: June 25, 2026 at 10:30 PM HOUSTON – The Houston Dynamo roster has four Brazilian players on the 1st team who were really excited when they found out that Brazil would play at Houston Stadium in a Round of 32 match on Monday. The only problem, the Dynamo will be out of town playing on the East Coast in a couple of pre-second half of the season scrimmages.
WORLD CUP: The cheapest tickets to a game in Houston are still available
Published: June 25, 2026 at 8:06 PM South Africa's Thapelo Maseko (12) scores the opening goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Africa and South Korea in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) HOUSTON – With the biggest frustration of going to a FIFA World Cup 2026 game being the prices to get in the door, one of the cheapest ways to attend a game in Houston will be Friday’s game against Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde.
UH head football coach Willie Fritz discusses gambling in college sports, expectations for Cougars in 2026
Published: June 18, 2026 at 7:17 PM HOUSTON – While attending a University of Houston luncheon with the Touchdown Club of Houston, Cougars head coach Willie Fritz did more than provide an update on the team ahead of the 2026 season.
Congolese and Portugal fans react to historic 1-1 draw at FIFA World Cup 2026
Published: June 17, 2026 at 7:12 PM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: June 17, 2026 at 7:12 PM HOUSTON – The FIFA World Cup 2026 has brought together fans from across the world to share in the excitement of each game. After a 1-1 draw in the Democratic Republic of Congo vs. Portugal game, where D.R. Congo scored its first goal in World Cup history, the Congolese and fans of Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal shared their reactions to such a historic moment.
After changing head coaches, Memorial baseball is playing in its first state title game in program history
Published: June 3, 2026 at 10:30 PM HOUSTON – The Memorial Mustangs baseball program has been through a lot this season. After needing a change in head coaches earlier this season, bringing in Head Football Coach Brooks Haack to lead the program, and restructuring their needs and goals, the Mustangs will play in their first-ever state championship game on Saturday.
Tomball baseball heads to third straight state title game with only one loss in 2026 season
Published: June 3, 2026 at 5:14 PMUpdated: June 3, 2026 at 5:21 PM TOMBALL, Texas – Sustained success is rare in high school sports, but the Tomball Cougars have built one of the most dominant baseball programs in Texas. Over the past three seasons, Tomball has compiled an impressive 117-11 record while making three consecutive appearances in the UIL 6A State Championship game. Now, the Cougars are one win away from adding another title to their growing legacy.
KPRC 2 and Rhythm Energy Athlete of the Week: Memorial baseball’s Grant Sperandio
Published: May 28, 2026 at 10:39 PM HOUSTON – Our Rhythm Energy Athlete of the Week is Memorial baseball’s Grant Sperandio who’s helped the mustangs to their best season in program history, playing in their first-ever state semifinal series Thursday. The junior pitcher is already committed to Texas and the future Longhorn helped the pitching staff stay relaxed by playing hacky-sack.
KPRC 2 and Rhythm Energy Athlete of the Week: Barbers Hill’s Macie Bryant
Published: May 21, 2026 at 10:34 PM MONT BELVIEU, Texas – Our Rhythm Energy Athlete of the Week is Barbers Hill’s Macie Bryant who’s one of the best pitchers in the country. Macie helped her Eagles become the number one ranked high school softball team in the country. Even though she’s only a junior, she’s already committed to playing her college career at LSU. Macie has been a member of the under 15 USA Softball Team and wants to get revenge for last year’s state final loss to Melissa.
Katy Softball team is ready for state after winning 18 games straight
Published: May 20, 2026 at 7:15 AM Updated: May 20, 2026 at 7:22 AM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: May 20, 2026 at 7:15 AMUpdated: May 20, 2026 at 7:22 AM KATY, Texas – The Katy Tigers softball team has been lethal in the batter’s box, hitting more than 60 home runs this season, winning their last 18 straight games, and getting to the state semifinal round of the playoffs this weekend.
KPRC 2 and Rhythm Energy’s Athlete of the Week: Pearland’s Braxton Jones
Published: May 14, 2026 at 10:30 PM PEARLAND, Texas – Pearland’s Braxton Jones may only be a sophomore for the Oilers but the dual-sport athlete excelled on the football field in the fall and this past spring helped the baseball team to a 27-win season, 15-1 in district which led to a District Title, and reached the Area Round of the playoffs.
Predicting the Texans’ record: Randy McIlvoy, Nick Mantas & Aaron Wilson break down the season
Published: May 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: May 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Christian Kirk against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) HOUSTON – The Texans have qualified for the playoffs each of the past three seasons under the leadership of coach DeMeco Ryans.
FIFA World Cup 26: Democratic Republic of Congo's home base at SaberCats Stadium Original
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KPRC 2 and Rhythm Energy Athlete of the Week: Klein Cain’s Parker Glenn
KPRC 2 and Rhythm Energy Athlete of the Week: Klein Cain’s Parker Glenn HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Our Rhythm Energy Athlete of the Week comes from the back-to-back state champion Klein Cain boys soccer team. Senior forward Parker Glenn helped lead the hurricanes to a 19-win season and was named the district 15 co-MVP. Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.
GOLF: Stewart Cink has used his failures on the PGA Champions Tour to fuel his four-win season ahead of the Insperity Invitational
Published: May 7, 2026 at 10:34 PM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: May 7, 2026 at 10:34 PM THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Coming off a dominant victory at the Regions Tradition tournament last weekend, PGA Champions Tour golfer Stewart Cink is coming into this weekend’s Insperity Invitational having won four tournaments so far this season.
KPRC 2 and Rhythm Energy Athlete of the Week: Summer Creek’s Ty Fernandez
Published: April 30, 2026 at 10:30 PM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: April 30, 2026 at 10:30 PM HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Our Rhythm Energy Athlete of the Week is Summer Creek junior Ty Fernandez who helped the Bulldogs get to the state championship game for the first time in school history.
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: Barbers Hill ranked No. 1 in nation amid playoff run
Published: April 30, 2026 at 6:55 PM MONT BELVIEU, Texas – On multiple ranking boards, the Barbers Hill softball team sits at the top as the No. 1 team in the nation. The Eagles have advanced to the Area Round of the UIL 5A playoffs with an impressive record of 32 wins and just three losses. So, what does being ranked the best team in the country mean to the Eagles? “It’s just an amazing feeling—you can’t even put it into words. It shows how much work we put in.
ROCKETS: Reed Sheppard’s performance could lead to more clutch moments from the young point guard
Published: April 30, 2026 at 6:46 PM Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, center, talks with guard Reed Sheppard (15) and forward Kevin Durant, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies Friday, March 27, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill) Reed Sheppard provided a major boost in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Sheppard finished with 12 points, six assists, and three steals.
GOLF: The Woodlands native, Stacy Lewis, is playing her final tournament while pregnant with her second child
Published: April 22, 2026 at 10:31 PM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: April 22, 2026 at 10:31 PM Memorial Park Golf Course – The Houston golf community will have an opportunity to see a local LPGA Tour Pro play in her final tournament this weekend. The Woodlands native, Stacy Lewis, will compete in The Chevron Championship at Memorial Park Golf Course before retiring. It’s going to be a family affair on the golf course in more ways than one.
KPRC 2 and Rhythm Energy Athlete of the Week: College Park High School’s Salem Sharif
Published: April 16, 2026 at 10:31 PM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: April 16, 2026 at 10:31 PM THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Rhythm Energy Athlete of the Week is College Park High School’s Salem Sharif, who helped his Cavaliers to a 6A Division 2 State Championship for the first time in school history this past weekend. He scored a goal late in the state title game against Summer Creek to tie things up, and the Cavaliers won the state title in penalty kicks.
WNBA Draft: Future Houston Comets were selected tonight by Connecticut Sun
Published: April 13, 2026 at 10:37 PM FILE - The WNBA logo is seen near a hoop before an WNBA basketball game at Mohegan Sun Arena, May 14, 2019, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File) New York City – The WNBA Draft was an exciting one for Houston Comets fans who were eager to see who another team was selecting. Pending WNBA approval of the sale, the Connecticut Sun will move to Houston next season and will be renamed the Houston Comets.
SOCCER: College Park looking to make school history with first state title
Published: April 9, 2026 at 10:30 PMUpdated: April 10, 2026 at 11:26 AM CONROE, Texas – After multiple years of making it to the third round of the UIL 6A Division II playoffs, the College Park Cavaliers are back in the state championship game for the first time since 2019. This year’s team has 12 seniors on the roster who are eager to bring home the school’s first-ever state title.
KPRC 2 and Rhythm Energy’s Athlete of the Week: Atascocita’s Julian Sanchez
Published: April 9, 2026 at 10:31 PM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: April 9, 2026 at 10:31 PM ATASCOCITA, Texas – Atascocita’s junior forward, Julian Sanchez, has helped the Eagles get to the 6A Division 1 State Championship game by scoring five goals in five games and becoming Atascocita’s all-time postseason goal scorer.
SOCCER: Klein Cain looking to go back-to-back in State Championship game this Saturday
Trending Published: April 8, 2026 at 8:17 PM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: April 8, 2026 at 8:17 PM HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – You can’t miss the blonde hair of the Hurricanes players when you arrive at Klein Cain boys’ soccer practice. The brightness of their heads is almost as evident as the confidence each player carries with them, knowing they’re playing for their second straight 6A Division 1 State Championship.
SOCCER: Atascocita is playing in the 6A State Championship game on a 10-game winning streak.
Published: April 7, 2026 at 7:26 PM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: April 7, 2026 at 7:26 PM Houston – The intensity and pace of play for the Atascocita Eagles have been fast and furious all season long. Now on a 10-game winning streak, the boys soccer team will look for one more record-setting win when they play in their first state championship game on Saturday afternoon against Klein Cain. All four 6A state final teams (division 1 and division 2) are from the Houston area.
SOCCER: Summer Creek is prepping for its first-ever state championship game under its first-year head coach.
Published: April 7, 2026 at 7:24 PM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: April 7, 2026 at 7:24 PM With the sun beating down on the sizzling black beads of the synthetic turf field, the Summer Creek boys soccer team is intensely focused on the task at hand: their first state championship game appearance this weekend.
ASTROS: Josh Hader held a shopping spree with kids from BEAR Houston at Academy
Published: April 2, 2026 at 8:28 PMUpdated: April 2, 2026 at 10:32 PM HOUSTON – While recovering from biceps tendinitis, Astros pitcher Josh Hader is spending his downtime giving back to the community. A group of kids from BEAR Houston (BE A Resource for CPS Kids) was given $200 of Academy store credit per child to go on a shopping spree with Hader.
How will the Houston Open prepare golfers for The Masters?
Published: March 24, 2026 at 3:48 PM Min Woo Lee, of Australia, reacts after a putt on the 18th green during the final round of the Houston Open golf tournament in Houston, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Memorial Park Golf Course – The anticipation for the 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open is building as some of the biggest names on the PGA Tour are getting in some practice rounds early this week.
MARCH MADNESS: Three things the Houston Cougars will need to do to beat Texas A&M
Published: March 21, 2026 at 6:26 AM Houston's Kingston Flemings (4) drives past Arizona's Ivan Kharchenkov (8) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big 12 Conference tournament Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) OKLAHOMA CITY – With the Houston Cougars 31-point win over Idaho in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the stage is set for a Texas two-step against Texas A&M on Saturday night.
MARCH MADNESS: Houston Cougars are using last year’s national championship game as motivation
Published: March 19, 2026 at 8:27 PM Houston guard Milos Uzan (7), guard Kingston Flemings (4) and center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) celebrate during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Towson Tigers in Houston, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma – Even though it was 346 days ago, the Houston Cougars’ heartbreaking loss to the University of Florida in the 2025 National Championship game still stings.
MARCH MADNESS: How can Houston stop Idaho’s fast-paced offense?
Published: March 18, 2026 at 8:03 PM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: March 18, 2026 at 8:03 PM HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 04: Emanuel Sharp #21 of the Houston Cougars reacts after a three point basket against the Baylor Bears during the second half at Fertitta Center on March 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
Rice women’s basketball frustrated after missing March Madness but eager to play in WBIT
Trending Published: March 17, 2026 at 6:35 PM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: March 17, 2026 at 6:35 PM After losing to UTSA in the American Conference Tournament Championship game, the Rice Owls were not selected for the NCAA Tournament. They were invited to be in the Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament (WBIT) and will host Louisiana Tech on Thursday night.
Hightower’s Ogechi Okeke is a humble star athlete
Pasadena, Texas – As the music bounces off the walls of the Phillips Field House, basketballs make contact with the court at a similar rhythm. At the far end of the gym is a 6-foot-4 forward for Ford Bend Hightower who has been dominating on both sides of the court her entire junior season. Ogechi Okeke is regarded as one of the best high school basketball players in the class of 2027, and she’s being recruited by almost every school in the country.
Klein’s Chancellor Simpson hasn’t let his hearing impairment stop him from playing the sport he loves
Published: February 19, 2026 at 10:32 PM Sign up for our Newsletters Published: February 19, 2026 at 10:32 PM Klein High School – Imagine hearing the game of basketball slightly different than those around you. That’s what Klein’s Chancellor Simpson has dealt with his entire life, but he hasn’t let it stop him from continuing to excel at the sport he loves. He let us into his world to understand what he refers to as his hearing impairment and the struggles he’s dealt with.
Rice women’s basketball is 16-3, on an 11-game winning streak, and undefeated vs. American Conference opponents
Published: January 22, 2026 at 10:32 PM HOUSTON – The Rice women’s basketball program has tied its best start to a season through the first 19 games with a 16-3 record and 6-0 in the Owls’ American Conference schedule. Adding on top of that success is an 11-game winning streak, which has the Owls aware of not getting too ahead of themselves. The Rice women’s basketball team is undefeated in conference play, on an 11-game winning streak, and has an overall record of 16-3.
LOVB Houston begins 2nd season Thursday night with local talent on the roster
Published: January 7, 2026 at 10:33 PM HOUSTON – The League One Volleyball (LOVB) Houston team’s season begins on Thursday night at the Berry Center, which they have been patiently waiting for while training together the last few months. Fun morning getting to chat with @lovbhtx ahead of their home & season opener tomorrow at the Berry Center against Salt Lake! Don’t miss hearing from the team a local athlete who grew up right here in Houston.
Nick Mantas
No description found Nick Mantas is an award-winning sports reporter who joined the KPRC 2 Sports Team in September of 2025. This is Nick's third local TV station in the Lone Star State, getting his first start in TV as a weekend sports anchor/sports reporter at KTXS in Abilene, Texas, and two years in San Antonio at KPRC's sister-station KSAT, where he covered the San Antonio Spurs, Victor Wembanyama's debut in the NBA, and local sports coverage.
Dawson volleyball made school history with a trip to the state semifinals
PEARLAND, Texas – When the Pearland Dawson volleyball team finished its Regional Final sweep of Seven Lakes, the Eagles rushed the floor in excitement, knowing they were moving on to the 6A Division 1 State Semifinals and making school history in the process. With that win, the 2025 volleyball team became the first team in school history, in any sport, to reach the state semifinal round.
Houston-area high school football highlights for the final week of the regular season
Published: November 7, 2025 at 5:49 PM HOUSTON – The final week of the regular season for high school football began on Thursday night with three big games. Pearland vs South Houston: The Oilers were able to cap off their undefeated regular season with a 69-0 win over South Houston. This is their best record since 2018, clinching the 6A Region III District 22 title a few weeks ago.
First-year head coach has Memorial High School off to its best start since 2020
Published: October 15, 2025 at 10:31 PMUpdated: October 16, 2025 at 9:52 AM HOUSTON – The Memorial High School football program is a lot more confident this season. Their swagger might be coming from the Mustangs’ new head coach, Brooks Haack, who won a state championship at Katy High School in 2008 and was the offensive coordinator for Randle’s state title last season. So what’s the first year been like for Coach Haack?
2025 Houston Men’s Basketball Media Day
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