Lance Smith
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Articles by Lance Smith
California 2026 high school football rankings: A closer look at California's nationally ranked contenders Original
The 2026 high school football season is around the corner. In fact, one could argue that it's already football season – even if it's unofficially – as many high school programs are training, practicing, and participating in passing tournaments and lineman camps. Still, transfer season doesn't end until players are on campus for their fall semester. So it's at least a month too early to iron out official preseason high school football rankings.
Windward wins top division as California teams dominate
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Section 7 girls basketball results: Windward wins top division as California teams dominate Original
As expected, the last round of Section 7's City of Mesa bracket featured a matchup between recent high school girls basketball national champions Etiwanda – the event's three-time reigning champion – and Ontario Christian. Except it was for third place instead of first.
Section 7 high school girls basketball tournament 2026 schedule, teams Original
For high school basketball fans and college scouts, the summer mostly belongs to club ball season. But not in mid-June – at least not out West. It's once again the time of year when most of the best teams from California and Arizona along with many other powerhouse prep programs from the Western United States meet up in the Phoenix area for Section 7.
10 players to watch in the 2026 California high school football season Original
Technically speaking, California's 2026 football season is still a ways away, as final scrimmages and regular season debuts are nearly three months from now. But as all high school football fans know, the unofficial start of football season comes late in the spring. That means now, with teams currently getting ready for summer training, passing tournaments, and lineman camps.
High school girls basketball: 7 Class of 2029 stars who will take another leap as sophomores Original
After looking at some blue chip current juniors and sophomores who we expect to break out at an even higher level in 2026-27, it's time to discuss current freshman (or rising sophomores) who'll take a similar leap. All seven of the following players are already considered to be among the best in the Class of 2029 after just one year of high school basketball. And all of them played an important role for some of the better or best teams in the country in 2025-26.
California high school softball playoffs: CIF-L.A. City Section 2026 brackets, schedules, results for Open Division, D1 Original
Playoff softball is back in California's high school ranks, and as usual, SoCal is as deep as it gets with high-quality prep softball contenders. In the L.A. City Section, Granada Hills Charter (17-10-1) looks to repeat atop the Open Division after its second consecutive regular season of going undefeated against in-section competition. The Highlanders have a deep lineup spearheaded by seniors Zoe Justman and Elysse Diaz and a high-innings workhorse in the circle in senior April Anaya.
Microsoft Cares About Your Privacy California high school baseball playoff: CIF-LA City Section 2026 brackets, schedules, results for Open Division, D1
Lance Smith It's once again time for another riveting installment of the CIF-L.A. City Section high school baseball playoffs. In the next two weeks, many of the top teams and players in L.A. County will go at it for a chance to play in the Open Division and Division 1 championships at Dodger Stadium. WATCH: LACS high school baseball playoffs live on NFHS Network Led by two-way star Jackson Sellz, second-seeded El Camino Real (19-9, 11-4) is a threat to go back-to-back atop the Open Division.
California high school baseball playoff: CIF-L.A. City Section 2026 brackets, schedules, results for Open Division, D1 Original
It's once again time for another riveting installment of the CIF-L.A. City Section high school baseball playoffs. In the next two weeks, many of the top teams and players in L.A. County will go at it for a chance to play in the Open Division and Division 1 championships at Dodger Stadium. WATCH: LACS high school baseball playoffs live on NFHS Network Led by two-way star Jackson Sellz, second-seeded El Camino Real (19-9, 11-4) is a threat to go back-to-back atop the Open Division.
High school girls basketball: 9 Class of 2028 stars who will break out as National Junior of the Year candidates next season Original
Last week, we took a look at 10 rising seniors (Class of 2027) who we expect to break out as legitimate National Player of the Year candidates. Now it's time to talk about rising juniors (Class of 2028) who are poised to take the superstar leap in 2026-27. All of the following players are already well established as top prospects and players in their classification, but none were quite in the running for National Sophomore of the Year honors this past season.
High school girls basketball: 10 Class of 2027 stars who will break out as National Player of the Year candidates next season Original
When the 2026-27 high school basketball season draws near and it's time for preseason National Player of the Year watchlists, most players selected will be obvious inclusions. Understandably, one can expect most of them to be incumbent underclass All-Americans and/or top-ranked prospects who put up solid numbers in 2025-26. That would be a great start, but some of the nation's potential top MVP candidates would slip through the cracks.
Way-too-early 2026-27 national high school girls basketball rankings Original
One of the few upsides of high school basketball season coming to an end? It's officially no longer too early to look ahead to next season. Based solely on 2025-26 performance and the extent to which underclassmen contributed to it, here's a look at who we think will be the nation's top 25 teams in 2026-27. Realistically, these rankings might not mean much by the time the 2026-27 high school basketball season rolls around because of transfers, impact freshmen, and offseason injuries.
Kaleena Smith is the 2026 Sporting News National Girls Basketball Player of the Year Original
The top-ranked player in the Class of 2027. The best point guard in the country. One of the most unstoppable 5-foot-6 phenoms high school basketball has ever seen. Those labels are all true, but at this point they're old news. After her junior campaign, it's time to refer to Kaleena Smith as the No. 1 player in high school basketball – period.
The Sporting News 2026 High School Girls Basketball All-America Team Original
SN is proud to announce the 2026 Sporting News High School Girls Basketball All-America Team, featuring the nation's top high school basketball players from across the country. We picked a total of 15 players spread across three teams — 10 seniors and five juniors. Our team includes 10 state Gatorade Players of the Year along with the overall national winner. Just how loaded was the talent this year?
Ontario Christian named The Sporting News 2025-26 high school girls basketball national champion Original
It doesn't always take perfection to be crowned a national champion. Sometimes, "merely" a season for the ages will do it. Led by Kaleena Smith, the nation's top junior, Ontario Christian finished what it started in previous seasons, following up the first CIF-Southern Section Open Division title in program history a year ago with its first Open Division state championship and national title in 2025-26. All in Aundre Cummings' first two seasons at the helm.
The Sporting News national high school girls basketball top 25 rankings: Ontario Christian finishes No. 1 Original
Chipotle Nationals are through, and as usual, that (sadly) signifies the end of high school basketball season. Here are The Sporting News national high school girls basketball rankings for the week of Apr. 6 – the season-end edition. Remember, the season-end power rankings aren't simply an ordering of which teams have had the strongest seasons overall.
5 takeaways from Chipotle Nationals girls basketball tournament: DME Academy dominates the field
5 takeaways from Chipotle Nationals girls basketball tournament: DME Academy dominates the field originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. High school girls basketball season is officially over for the 2025-26 school year. As usual, the season concluded with one of the nation's premier tournaments: Chipotle Nationals, which took place (on the girls side) from Apr. 2-4. And DME Academy finished on top – rather emphatically.
UCLA star Gabriela Jaquez was, eventually, unstoppable in high school too Original
If you didn't know UCLA senior Gabriela Jaquez a year, a week, or even a day ago, you do now. The six-foot wing and projected first round pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft was the clear MVP of the NCAA National Championship, leading UCLA to a 79-51 demolition of fellow No. 1 seed South Carolina. Jaquez was in control of the game from the tip, notching game-highs of 21 points and five assists to go with 10 rebounds en-route to earning Final Four all-tournament team honors.
The Sporting News national high school girls basketball top 25 rankings: St. John Vianney leaps after winning The Throne
Lance Smith Coming off of The Throne and then a nationwide bye week, we've now reached the final week of high school girls basketball season. If you're sad to see basketball season go, you aren't alone. But at least the season will go out with a bang this week as The St. James Performance Academy, Westtown, Bullis, Long Island Lutheran, DME Academy, and Bishop Gorman will compete in Indiana for a Chipotle Nationals crown.
The Sporting News national high school girls basketball top 25 rankings: St. John Vianney leaps after winning The Throne Original
Coming off of The Throne and then a nationwide bye week, we've now reached the final week of high school girls basketball season. If you're sad to see basketball season go, you aren't alone. But at least the season will go out with a bang this week as The St. James Performance Academy, Westtown, Bullis, Long Island Lutheran, DME Academy, and Bishop Gorman will compete in Indiana for a Chipotle Nationals crown.
The Sporting News national high school girls basketball top 25 rankings: Fairmont, Putnam City North, Pleasant Grove debut Original
Ontario Christian is the season-end No. 1 team in California for the first time ever after defeating Archbishop Mitty 56-49 for a CIF Open Division state title. For the Knights and Monarchs to meet in the state finals and play down to the wire was no surprise. There were, however, a few surprises last week involving ranked teams losing unexpectedly to end their seasons.
High school girls basketball: Updated state championship results for all 50 states
Lance Smith The 2025-26 high school basketball season is already winding down – or reaching its peak, whichever you'd prefer. Roughly half the country has finished its girls basketball state championships entering the week of Monday, Mar. 9, and almost the whole nation will be done by the end of the weekend. Below, you can find the state finals results – or upcoming matchups – for every classification of all 50 states, including almost every state association in high school basketball.
California (CIF) girls basketball regionals and state championship schedules, results and bracket 2026 Original
The 2025-26 high school girls basketball season, sadly, is already down to its final week in California. On the bright side, basketball season is about to go out with a bang as CIF regional and state championships are all that remain. That means not one but two championships will be awarded in each division before this week is through.
The Sporting News national high school girls basketball top 25 rankings: Ontario Christian returns to No. 1; Bradley Central debuts Original
For weeks on end, it looked like Bishop McNamara was going to run away with an undisputed national title. But then came Bullis with a 62-50 upset victory to send the Mustangs into the offseason with no natty and no state title either. That leaves high school girls basketball fans across the country wondering, from a rankings perspective, what now? Here are The Sporting News national high school girls basketball rankings for the week of Mar. 9. PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Preseason | Dec. 1 | Dec. 8 | Dec.
High school girls basketball: State championship results for all 50 states Original
The 2025-26 high school basketball season is already winding down – or reaching its peak, whichever you'd prefer. Roughly half the country has finished its girls basketball state championships entering the week of Monday, Mar. 9, and almost the whole nation will be done by the end of the weekend. Below, you can find the state finals results – or upcoming matchups – for every classification of all 50 states, including almost every state association in high school basketball.
High school girls basketball: State championship results for all 50 states
High school girls basketball: State championship results for all 50 states originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The 2025-26 high school basketball season is already winding down – or reaching its peak, whichever you'd prefer. Roughly half the country has finished its girls basketball state championships entering the week of Monday, Mar. 9, and almost the whole nation will be done by the end of the weekend.
The Sporting News national high school girls basketball top 25 rankings: Sierra Canyon rises to No. 2; Friends' Central and Oostburg debut Original
It wouldn't be late February and early March without playoff drama. Sierra Canyon came back in the fourth quarter to beat Ontario Christian and Friends' Central got its revenge on Westtown in championship games that shook up the pecking order. And two new teams debuted as Wagner and Belleville fell out of the rankings upon their first losses of the season. For Wagner, a 63-59 loss to Glenn means the end of the road after a regular season for the books and three lopsided playoff victories.
Jerzy Robinson, Sierra Canyon dethrone Ontario Christian: Final score, results from CIF-Southern Section girls basketball championship
Lance Smith Led by a heroic 32-point, 13-rebound effort from 5-star South Carolina commit Jerzy Robinson, Sierra Canyon upset Ontario Christian 69-62 on Saturday for a CIF-Southern Section Open Division championship. The superstar matchup between Robinson and Ontario Christian point guard Kaleena Smith, the top-ranked junior in the country, lived up to the lofty hype. Smith was in control for much of the game and finished with 30 points to go with a handful of assists.
Ontario Christian vs. Sierra Canyon, Kaleena Smith vs. Jerzy Robinson: Live score, updates from CIF-Southern Section basketball championship Original
Two of high school girls basketball's best teams and a bevy of its brightest stars will go head-to-head for a CIF-Southern Section Open Division title on Saturday at Toyota Arena in Ontario. Nationwide No. 2 Ontario Christian (31-1), led by top-ranked junior Kaleena Smith and top-ranked sophomore Tati Griffin, is the favorite to repeat as Southern Section girls basketball champion.
The Sporting News high school girls basketball National Player of the Year updated watchlist Original
With the 2025-26 high school girls basketball season coming to a fever pitch, the National Player of the Year conversation is heating up. Some key states still have a lot of postseason basketball left to be played, and then it's time for Chipotle Nationals and The Throne. A lot can change in the coming month or so, and it's not even impossible that candidates outside of this list find their way back into consideration.
Vote: Who has been the top junior (Class of 2027) in high school girls basketball?
Vote: Who has been the top junior (Class of 2027) in high school girls basketball? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Class of 2027 is loaded across the nation in high school girls basketball. Current juniors lead the way for many of the top teams in the country. And many of the top 2027 stars are tearing it up on teams that aren't nationally prominent but are having huge years at the statewide and/or local level.
Vote: Who has been the top junior (Class of 2027) in high school girls basketball? Original
The Class of 2027 is loaded across the nation in high school girls basketball. Current juniors lead the way for many of the top teams in the country. And many of the top 2027 stars are tearing it up on teams that aren't nationally prominent but are having huge years at the statewide and/or local level. We've assembled a watchlist of the top Player of the Year candidates in the junior class based primarily on players' stats and team success for the 2025-26 season.
The Sporting News national high school girls basketball top 25 rankings: Bishop Gorman returns after winning state title Original
Here are The Sporting News national high school girls basketball rankings for the week of Feb. 23. PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Preseason | Dec. 1 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 15 | Dec. 22 | Dec. 29 | Jan. 5 | Jan. 12 | Jan. 19 | Jan. 26 | Feb. 2 | Feb. 9 | Feb. 16 Top 25 High School Girls Basketball Rankings The Mustangs raced past St. Mary's Ryken and Paul VI (VA) last week to make the West Catholic finals. They'll face Bishop Ireton, which upset St. John's in the semifinals, on Monday night.
The Sporting News national high school girls basketball top 25 rankings: Bishop McNamara finishes regular season No. 1
Lance Smith Last week was a quiet one in high school girls hoops from a national lens. Most of the top-ranked teams wrapped up their regular seasons and/or opened their playoffs shoo-in blowout wins. But now it's time for the postseason to heat up across much of the country. Here are The Sporting News national high school girls basketball rankings for the week of Feb. 16. PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Preseason | Dec. 1 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 15 | Dec. 22 | Dec. 29 | Jan. 5 | Jan. 12 | Jan. 19 | Jan. 26 | Feb. 2 | Feb.
The Sporting News national high school girls basketball top 25 rankings: Bishop McNamara finishes regular season No. 1 Original
Last week was a quiet one in high school girls hoops from a national lens. Most of the top-ranked teams wrapped up their regular seasons and/or opened their playoffs shoo-in blowout wins. But now it's time for the postseason to heat up across much of the country. Here are The Sporting News national high school girls basketball rankings for the week of Feb. 16. PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Preseason | Dec. 1 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 15 | Dec. 22 | Dec. 29 | Jan. 5 | Jan. 12 | Jan. 19 | Jan. 26 | Feb. 2 | Feb.
The Sporting News national high school girls basketball top 25 rankings (Feb. 9) Original
It's finally high school basketball postseason time in a small but hardy handful of high-powered states and federations. And despite Bullis' ESPN-televised upset of Long Island Lutheran, the rankings have more or less stabilized – for now. Here are The Sporting News national high school girls basketball rankings for the week of Feb. 9. PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Preseason | Dec. 1 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 15 | Dec. 22 | Dec. 29 | Jan. 5 | Jan. 12 | Jan. 19 | Jan. 26 | Feb.
The Sporting News national high school girls basketball top 25 rankings: Sage Hill, Wauwatosa East debut Original
With the regular season winding down across much of the country, last week wasn't the loudest one in girls hoops. But there were still multiple major developments among the nation's top teams. For instance, DME Academy finally lost a game, and a new face in Wisconsin unseated Arrowhead in the top 25. Here are The Sporting News national high school girls basketball rankings for the week of Feb. 2. PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Preseason | Dec. 1 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 15 | Dec. 22 | Dec. 29 | Jan. 5 | Jan. 12 | Jan. 19 | Jan.
Texas signee, former Mamba Academy star Amalia Holguin (Sage Hill) drops 64 points on senior night Original
Any way you slice it, Sage Hill senior point guard Amalia Holguin is one of the most decorated players in high school basketball. And the 4-star Texas signee's lengthy list of accomplishments just got even more impressive with one resume bullet rarely achieved at any level of basketball: a 60-piece, which she achieved with room to spare. Holguin dropped 64 points with an Orange County record of 14 made three-pointers on Tuesday – Sage Hill's senior night – in a 101-26 blowout of Laguna Beach.
High school girls basketball: How the national title stands race past the 2025-26 season's halfway point Original
As February draws near, the 2025-26 high school girls basketball season is past its halfway point in almost every state. In many seasons, late January is too early to have a meaningful discussion of the national title race. But not this season. The 2025-26 season has seen a particularly small handful of can't-miss national title contenders establish themselves with a fairly clear pecking order and gain separation from everyone else since the get-go.
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