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Articles by Smith dabbles
Top 20 linebackers in California high school football entering 2025 Original
The Sporting News' preview for California's 2025 high school football season rolls on with a look at the state's top 20 linebackers. Following the top 20 are the names of 10 more LBs who were heavily considered for a top-20 ranking. With only 30 players mentioned, there are future Division 1 college players who are current high school standouts who didn't even make the cut – that's how deep the talent pool is.
Top 20 quarterbacks in California high school football entering 2025 Original
As usual, California high school football is jam-packed with outstanding quarterback talent. From five-star recruits already on NFL radars to unranked studs, and everything in between, here's a look at who we think are the top 20 signal callers in the state entering the 2025 season. At the end of the top 20 is a list of many more QBs who were heavily considered for a top-20 ranking.
Buford High School (GA) unveils dazzling $62 million football stadium
Buford (GA) has one of the top high school football programs in the country. Now, the Wolves have one of the best stadiums in high school football as well. On Monday, Buford High School unveiled Phillip Beard Stadium and Dexter Wood Field, a $62 million project funded by Buford City School District. Per WSB-TV, the stadium has a capacity of 10,000 people including 1,543 premium seats, 15 luxury suites, a special events room, and a 44-by-82-feet scoreboard in the end zone.
2025 preseason California All-State high school football teams according to The Sporting News
With high school football season around the corner, it's time to unveil The Sporting News Preseason All-State Football Teams for the 2025 California season, consisting of First Team, Second Team, and Third Team. Primary considerations included players' individual production and team success in 2024 and prior seasons, plus all-state and all-area awards from other sources. Recruiting rankings and college offers were also considered as secondary criteria.
Saniyah Hall commits to USC following World Cup MVP performance
For the third time in the last four recruiting classes, head coach Lindsay Gottlieb and USC women's basketball have landed the No. 1 recruit in the country. Saniyah Hall, a senior at SPIRE Academy (OH), announced her commitment to the Trojans immediately after an official visit.
Mater Dei overcomes rough start to win Long Beach Poly Nike Legends 7v7 Invitational Original
Mater Dei football generally wins its championships in October (Trinity League), November (CIF-Southern Section Division 1), and December (state and national). But why not add a title in July to its usual pursuits? On Saturday at Long Beach Poly's first ever Nike Legends 7v7 Invitational, the Monarchs overcame an 0-2 start – losses to Poly and Inglewood in pool play – to win the passing tournament's inaugural title.
USA's Hall, Betts headline FIBA World Cup U19 All-Star Five; Davidson makes Second Team
As of Sunday, the 2025 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup is, sadly, over. To the surprise of few, if any, USA took home the gold medal, Australia earned silver, and Spain outdueled Canada for bronze. Team USA wing Saniyah Hall – one of the younger or youngest players at the whole tournament – was named the MVP.
Saniyah Hall (SPIRE Academy) named FIBA U19 World Cup MVP at 16 years old
The most fitting description for Saniyah Hall is prodigious. Before this summer, she was already the top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2026 and reigning MaxPreps National Junior of the Year. And as of Sunday, she's now the 2025 FIBA World Cup U19 Most Valuable Player (and gold medalist). All at the age of 16 years old.
How to watch USA vs. Australia in FIBA women's basketball U19 World Cup Original
It's the matchup we've all been waiting for since before the FIBA U19 women's basketball World Cup even started. Not just the gold medal game. But the finals matchup between USA and Australia that had been widely expected – despite both teams getting played down to the wire by France, and in Australia's case, by Hungary as well. Neither team has lost a game.
USA (U19) women's basketball turns in another defensive gem to beat Spain in semifinals Original
The World Cup finals matchup that's seemed destined from the start will indeed transpire. USA has guaranteed itself a medal and will face Australia on Sunday after taking down Spain 70-58 in the semifinals. After the first half was neck-and-neck until two minutes before halftime, the outcome was never in doubt and less close than the final score indicated. USA led 29-28 with 2:29 remaining in the second quarter before finishing the half on a game-high 9-0 run instigated by Jazzy Davidson.
20 California high school seniors (Class of 2025) selected in 2025 MLB Draft Original
Crazy as it sounds, it was merely business as usual last weekend as 20 California high school baseball stars in the Class of 2025 were selected in the 2025 MLB Draft. 10 of them were right-handed pitchers and six were shortstops. The Milwaukee Brewers led the way with four California prep selections. And if that seems peculiar, it's for good reason.
Corona High School baseball makes history twice in 2025 MLB Draft Original
If it's ever seemed in the past two years like the Corona Panthers' sheer amount of blue chip baseball talent was unheard of, you're not crazy. For starters, there's the fact that over the last two seasons, the Panthers went 58-6 and made the CIF-SS Division 1 title game twice with a championship in 2024. And then last week, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers made it clear that Corona's 2025 graduating class is historically great in a projectable sense.
Tustin football previews big upcoming season with Azusa Clash in the Canyons title
Tustin football has been a revelation the past two falls. This fall, however, will be one of expected dominance. Last week's title at Azusa's Clash in the Canyons 7-on-7 tournament was a reminder that despite graduating one of the best senior classes in program history, the Tillers are set to rise even more. After more or less cruising to the playoffs, they beat Bishop Montgomery in the semifinals and Bishop Amat in the title match to remember the taste of victory before August even rolled around.
Long Beach Poly's Legends 7v7 Invitational includes Mater Dei, Inglewood
With summer passing tournament season winding down as the official start of high school football draws near, there's still at least one high-profile 7-on-7 invitational on the docket. Eight teams split between two pools are set to do battle on Saturday at Long Beach Poly's Legends 7v7 Invitational, including the Jackrabbits of course and reigning national champion Mater Dei. Six more programs including some big names will round out an impressive eight-team field.
Shorthanded Mission Viejo repeats as Battle at the Beach 7-on-7 champion Original
New year, new faces, same old Mission Viejo football. 4-star senior quarterback and Ohio State commit Luke Fahey led the way without most of his familiar running mates as the Diablos won Edison's Battle at the Beach passing tournament on Saturday, July 12. In 2024, five of Mission Viejo's six leading receivers were seniors. The exception was their very top receiver, 4-star Miami commit Vance Spafford, who had team-bests of 57 catches for 1,017 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Saniyah Hall (Montverde Academy) lifts USA U19 past France in quarterfinals nail-biter Original
Team USA was finally tested – and in a big way – on Friday in the U19 World Cup quarterfinals, surviving formidable France 70-65. USA moves on to play Spain on Saturday in the semifinals. On yet another underwhelming shooting performance from the perimeter (4-15) from three, the Americans leaned on three of the things they've most been able to count on during the tournament: a remarkable team-wide defensive effort, a 20-point outing from Saniyah Hall, and a double-double from Sienna Betts.
Sienna Betts owns the paint yet again as USA (U19) routs China in round of 16
With the FIBA U19 women's basketball World Cup more than halfway over, some themes are emerging for Team USA in addition to simply blowing out every opponent. While the Americans have had the clear edge in pretty much every facet of the game in all four matchups, their biggest advantage has been in the paint where center Sienna Betts is averaging 18.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks on 63.3% shooting.
Corona infielder Brady Ebel selected 32nd overall in 2025 MLB Draft by Milwaukee Brewers
For the third time before the start of the second round, a Corona Panther's name was called in the 2025 MLB Draft. This time it was infielder Brady Ebel, who was selected 32nd overall by the Milwaukee Brewers. Ebel was signed to play for LSU if he opted for the college route. The Brewers obtained the 32nd overall selection as a post-1st round compensatory pick for shortstop Willy Adames, who rejected their qualifying offer to sign with the San Francisco Giants in free agency.
Billy Carlson (Corona) picked 10th overall by Chicago White Sox in 2025 MLB Draft Original
After an electrifying high school baseball career for national powerhouse Corona (CA), shortstop Billy Carlson has been selected 10th overall by the Chicago White Sox in the 2025 MLB Draft. Carlson helped lead Corona to a 28-3 record and CIF-Southern Section Division 1 title as a junior in 2024 and 30-3 record and finals appearance as a senior. This spring he hit .365 with career-highs in home runs (six), RBI (34), OBP (.517), slugging (.647), OPS (1.164), steals (nine), and runs scored (33).
Jazzy Davidson goes off as USA crushes Israel in pool play finale
The No. 1 women's basketball prospect in the Class of 2025 has brought her dazzling, dominating ways to the Czech Republic for the FIBA U19 World Cup. USC-bound Jazzy Davidson, a Sporting News 1st Team All-American and guard/wing from Clackamas (OR), had arguably the top individual performance of the tournament so far on Tuesday as Team USA annihilated Israel 114-40 to finish Pool A play 3-0.
Corona's Seth Hernandez selected 6th overall by Pittsburgh Pirates in 2025 MLB Draft
After perhaps the most remarkable two-year high school baseball career ever, Seth Hernandez is now the sixth overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft and a Pittsburgh Pirate. Hernandez, who just graduated from Corona High School, was homeschooled for his first two years of high school – although he was already among the top-ranked players in the Class of 2026 before starting at Corona as a junior.
Sienna Betts continues dominance in Team USA U19 victory over Hungary Original
Saturday and Sunday brought very different lopsided wins for Team USA's women's basketball team to open Pool A play at the FIBA U19 World Cup. Saturday was a show of offensive might that had never been seen before as USA defeated Korea 134-53. On Sunday, however, Team USA didn't have its best offensive showing against Hungary. The Americans managed fewer points in their 79-49 victory over Hungary than Israel had scored a day prior in an 86-82 loss to the Hungarians.
4-star high school basketball star throws down dunk of the summer; is he really only 5-foot-9? Original
It wouldn't be club basketball season without a relatively small guard throwing down an insane dunk. Here we have a viral entrant for high school dunk of the offseason from a member of Team Loaded, which came in the second half of a competitive loss to Indiana Elite in Adidas 3SSB play.
France U18 basketball player Alicia Tournebize throws down two-handed dunk in FIBA EuroBasket Original
World, meet Alicia Tournebize. A lanky 6-foot-4 center and the star of France's U18 women's basketball team, Tournebize is of the new breed of women's basketball stars who can legitimately play above the rim. At just 17 years old, Tournebize has already dunked in games at both the professional and international levels, and her latest dunk is making waves amongst basketball fans across the world.
San Juan Hills football makes statement at Ocean View's Seahawk Shootout passing tournament Original
High school football passing tournaments over the summer are great opportunities for teams to build chemistry, individual players to get into rhythm, and fans to bask in football fever. But almost everyone knows to take teams' results with a grain of salt. After all, 7-on-7 football is wildly different from the full 11-on-11 game that comes after training camps.
Meet Team USA's U19 women's team: Where each player played high school basketball, was ranked in class | Sporting News Original
Team USA's U19 women's basketball squad is currently in Brno, Czech Republic going for its fourth consecutive FIBA World Cup gold medal. So far so good as of Saturday, when Team USA broke its own scoring record by demolishing Korea 134-53 in its pool play opener.
Team USA breaks own U19 record in blowout of Korea behind Sienna Betts, Saniyah Hall Original
It's safe to say that Team USA's hunt for its fourth consecutive U19 women's basketball gold medal is off to a strong start. The Americans obliterated Korea 134-53 on Saturday in their opening game of pool play, breaking their own scoring record of 129 points. They first set that mark in 2005, which was also against Korea (129-74), and matched it in 2021 in a 129-45 beatdown of Chinese Taipei.
Team USA U19 men's basketball: Where each gold medalist played in high school, was ranked in class
To the surprise of no one, Team USA's U19 men's basketball team handled all challengers this summer to win a FIBA World Cup gold medal in Lausanne, Switzerland. Only Canada managed to give Team USA a run for its money, falling 108-102 in the quarterfinals. And Australia was the only other squad that managed to not get totally obliterated, losing 88-73 in the group stage opener in a game that was never particularly close.
Matthis Dritz, 4-star senior forward, transfers to Fairmont Prep Original
One of Southern California's premier high school girls basketball stars is on the move. Mathis Dritz, a 4-star forward/wing in the Class of 2026, will play her senior year at Fairmont Prep in Orange County after spending her first three seasons of high school two counties away at Westlake. Dritz was the Ventura County Star Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2023-24 for leading the Warriors to an 18-7 record, a sweep of the Marmonte League, and a CIF-Southern Section 2AA playoff berth.
Millikan gets revenge against Calabasas, wins California Live BallerTV bracket Original
Millikan's 2024-25 season culminated in a CIF-Southern Section 2AA playoff appearance – and a lopsided first round loss to Calabasas. However, the Rams got an early start on getting revenge during the last weekend of June with help from their newest star. Blue chip incoming freshman Quali Giran led Millikan with 20 points to beat Calabasas 84-65 in the BallerTV bracket finals for a California Live 2025 title.
Jaden Bailes, JSerra win California Live Grip Spritz bracket title Original
Get ready for yet another big year from JSerra boys basketball. Despite graduating impact seniors such as BJ Davis-Ray and Grayson Sinek, the Lions look like a CIF-Southern Section Open Division playoff team once again. With returning senior Brannon Martinsen and St. Augustine senior transfer Jaiden Bailes leading the way, JSerra handled fellow CIF-SS Open Division team Redondo Union 69-56 to cap off a title run at California Live 2025 in the Grip Spritz bracket.
Jaylen Smith drops 37 as Amador Valley wins California Live Passport bracket title
In a field of heavyweights constituting the California Live Passport bracket, Amador Valley emerged as the champion despite the absence of Cade Krueger due to injury led by SF Chronicle All-Metro guard Jaylen Smith. Smith dropped 37 points as the reigning CIF-NCS Division 1 semifinalist took down reigning Division III state champion San Gabriel Valley (which was without Mahamadou Diop and Mamadou Traore) 60-53 in the title game.
California (San Ramon) boys basketball wins California Live SCIBCA bracket title Original
They don't call it "California" Live for nothing, right? California (San Ramon) boys basketball showed its meddle in the Cali Live SCIBCA bracket in the last weekend of June, going 4-0 in well-contested games against prominent programs from outside Northern California. The Grizzlies opened with a 66-56 victory over Santa Monica, followed it up with a 58-47 win over Arizona powerhouse Notre Dame Prep, and finished off by edging out Rancho Cucamonga 55-53 and Corona del Mar 63-62 for the crown.
Mar Landry leads Oak Hills to California Live title (Game One Sports bracket)
Four wins, zero losses, and the dunk of the summer. That's what California Live 2025 had in store for Damarian "Mar" Landry and Oak Hills, who earned the crown in the Game One Sports bracket during the last weekend of June. Landry, a 6-foot-6 forward and rising junior, dropped 30 points – including the following put-back slam – as the Bulldogs overcame a small deficit late in the game to outduel Oakland Tech 68-66 for the title.
Edison's Battle at the Beach passing tournament teams, pools, schedule announced
Most Southern California high school football fans will tell you that it's not the middle of summer – and unofficial start of football season – until Edison (Huntington Beach) hosts its annual Battle at the Beach 7-on-7 Invitational passing tournament. This year's tournament takes place on Saturday, July 12 at Edison High School and consists of 20 teams divided into four pools. During pool play, eight games are played at a time – two in each pool – and one team has a bye per pool.
St. Ignatius boys basketball wins California Live title in NHSBCA bracket Original
As has been the case many times before in recent decades, it's a good time to be a St. Ignatius College Prep boys basketball fan. The Wildcats made the CIF-Central Coast Section Open Division finals and Division I regional semifinals/state quarterfinals this past season, and they're in good shape for another big year ahead led by rising senior guards and SF Chronicle All-Metro selections Raymond Whitley (2nd Team) and Shawn Boquiren (Honorable Mention).
Joe Sterling, Harvard-Westlake win California Live title (OCYSF bracket) Original
Big-name players constantly come and go for most of Southern California's top high school basketball programs. But hardly ever do the transition periods look as seamless as they almost always do at Harvard-Westlake. And that makes perennial national contention look way too easy.
NJ Gray, Branson win California Live title in Destination Irvine bracket Original
There has just been no stopping Branson boys basketball this summer. After going 4-0 the previous weekend to win a Section 7 ABCA bracket title, the reigning CIF-NCS D3 champs went 4-0 again in the last weekend of June to claim a title in the Destination Irvine bracket at California Live.
Christian Collins, St. John Bosco win California Live title without Brandon McCoy Original
It's time for yet another year of St. John Bosco contending for a league, section, state, and perhaps national high school boys basketball title. The Braves, which won a Division I state title in 2023-24, were already in the picture for all of the above last season, which they finished ranked 39th in the nation despite a few incredibly close losses down the stretch.
Salesian (Richmond) boys basketball wins California Live Kangaroo bracket Original
What a summer it's been for Salesian College Prep (Richmond) boys basketball. On June 22, the Pride won a Section 7 title in the AIA bracket despite missing their biggest name, 3-star senior Elias Obenyah, for all but the first round. A week later, Salesian again claimed the crown in arguably the top bracket (Kangaroo) of a big-name offseason tournament, California Live – albeit with a caveat.
Luke Barnett, Mater Dei dominate at California Live 2025 basketball tournament
Technically, Mater Dei boys basketball didn't win a bracket title last weekend at California Live. Per Ballislife, the Monarchs needed to fit in their CIF-mandated two-week dead period starting on Sunday, June 29, so they couldn't partake in the third and final day of the showcase during which championships are played. But the Monarchs – and sharpshooting 4-star senior guard Luke Barnett – might've been the single biggest winner of the weekend nonetheless.
Jade Hedengren of Timpview (UT) named Gatorade's National Track & Field Athlete of the Year
Lance Smith • For the second time in one school year, Jane Hedengren has been Gatorade's National Player of the Year in two sports. In the fall, the Timpview (Provo, UT) senior was named National Cross Country Player of the Year, and this week she was announced the National Track & Field Athlete of the Year as well. Hedengren set new national high school records with substantial room to spare this year in the 3000m (8:40.03), 2-mile (9:17.75), and 5000m (14:57.93).
Two-time NBA champion Lindsey Hunter named head coach at Sparta High School (MI) Original
17-year NBA veteran Lindsey Hunter has been named the next boys basketball head coach at Sparta High School in Michigan. He takes over a program coming off three winning seasons for the retiring Scott Berry. The Spartans went 14-12 in 2024-25 after going 15-9 for two seasons prior to that. Hunter, 54, was drafted 10th overall in the 1993 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, where he spent his first seven seasons.
Morgan Herbst (Carlsbad) is Gatorade's California Track & Field Athlete of the Year
After establishing herself as one of the top hurdlers in high school track history, Carlsbad senior Morgan Herbst has been named Gatorade's California Track & Field Athlete of the Year. For starters, the Arkansas signee set a state record in the 300-meter hurdles at the state meet with a time of 39.64 seconds, which is No. 2 ever in national high school track history.
Eleanor Raker (Galena) is Gatorade's Nevada Track & Field Athlete of the Year
Galena's Eleanor Raker has been named Gatorade's Track & Field Athlete of the Year for Nevada after winning 5A state titles in the 1600 and 3200. And that wasn't all she accomplished in her senior year. Raker also placed third in the 800 and claimed gold with a new meet record for the 3200 at the Stanford Invitational with a time of 10:22.11. She also ran a 10:20.21 at the Arcadia Invitational, and both of those times are faster than the NIAA state record despite having been run in California.
Crean Lutheran boys basketball wins Section 7 ASEC bracket title
Crean Lutheran boys basketball is in for a big 2025-26 campaign. That's more a case of stating the obvious than firing off a hot take, but don't just take our word for it – the Saints went 4-0 in late June for a title in Section 7's ASEC bracket to kick things off in style under new head coach Austin Loeb.
Orange Lutheran boys basketball runs away with OrthoArizona bracket title at Section 7
With its top players expected to return as seniors and juniors this winter, Orange Lutheran boys basketball already was clearly set for a big leap in 2025-26. And then Section 7 happened. OLu – or should we say OrthoLu – absolutely dominated the OrthoArizona bracket late in June for a division title at the prestigious Arizona tournament, warranting even more buzz heading into what could be one of its strongest seasons in a decade or more.
University (San Francisco) boys basketball wins Section 7 MiCamp Solutions bracket title
You probably didn't hear it here first, but you can take it to the bank nonetheless – University (San Francisco) boys basketball is set for yet another strong season in 2025-26. Fresh off a third place finish in the CIF-NCS Division 2 and a total domination of Division 3 the year prior to that, the Red Devils scored an average of 70 PPG to go 4-0 at Section 7 and win a title in the MiCamp Solutions bracket. Presenting your Section 7 @MiCampSolutions Bracket Champions. Congratulations University.
Bishop O'Dowd boys basketball wins Section 7 bracket title
Bishop O'Dowd boys basketball made two statements late in June at Section 7. For one, the Dragons are primed to go for the 2025-26 campaign. And two, they're going to play fast. In an elite offseason tournament that usually has some lower final scores than the regular season, Bishop O'Dowd scored more than 70 points in three of its four wins en-route to a title in the Dorsey & Whitney LLP bracket. Presenting your Section 7 @DorseyWhitney Bracket Champions. Congratulations Bishop O’Dowd.
Branson boys basketball demolishes way to Section 7 ABCA bracket title
Reigning CIF-North Coast Section champion Branson had no desire in waiting to kick off its Division 3 title defense in style. The Bulls made quick work of all comers in June at Section 7, handily winning the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association (ABCA) bracket with a 65-42 finals win over West Point (AZ). Presenting your Section 7 @AZBballCoaches Bracket Champions. Congratulations @bransonhoops.
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