Cal-Hi Sports Insider Blog

Quick-hitting, behind-the-scenes news and notes from the CalHiSports.com staff, including previews of upcoming content and events.

Boys BB State Team of the Year 2024

Trent Perry, head coach Dave Rebibo and Robert Hinton are shown at the conclusion of their CIF Open Division state title press conference. Photo: Mark Tennis / Cal-Hi Sports.

Harvard-Westlake officially added to the all-time list of State Teams of the Year that goes back more than 120 years. It’s the second straight selection, but doing that is not unusual at all in historical terms. Doing it without any transfers, however, we think has only been done two other times since first official CIF state finals in 1980.

Note: We hope you enjoy this free post on CalHiSports.com. Upcoming final state rankings and some of our all-state teams will be for Gold Club members only. To become a member of our Gold Club so you can check out all of our boys basketball content, including player rankings in each class, please CLICK HERE.

(Managing editor Ronnie Flores contributed to this article)

It is incredibly difficult for any team to win the title in the highest division of the CIF state basketball championships, but in historical terms in the last 25 years it’s actually more unique for a team to win the state’s top crown that is not part of a repeat or a three-peat and in one case a four-peat.

Harvard-Westlake of Studio City won its second straight CIF Open Division state title last Saturday night in Sacramento with a 50-45 win over Salesian of Richmond and now the Wolverines also have become the latest team to repeat as State Team of the Year. The all-time list of No. 1 teams goes back more than 120 years based on Cal-Hi Sports research.

There were no CIF state championships in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID, but the State Team of the Year honor earned in 2020 by Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth and the one from 2021 by Centennial of Corona were part of a three-peat and a repeat, respectively. The Trailblazers were selected in 2020 after they won the SoCal Open Division title with no state championship game as the pandemic broke out in a huge way during that March week of 2020. They had won CIF Open titles also in 2018 and 2019. The Huskies won the CIF Southern Section Open Division title in the 2021 spring season, but didn’t go to the SoCal regional playoffs that year. With the normal schedule back in March of 2022, they went all the way to the CIF Open state title.

Four years before Sierra Canyon’s three-year run, Mater Dei of Santa Ana finished on top of the state for four straight seasons from 2011 to 2014 under legendary head coach Gary McKnight. There also were repeats from Westchester of Los Angeles twice in the 2000s, for 2009-2010 and 2004-05, along with a repeat from Artesia of Lakewood for 2006-2007 when future Hall of Famer James Harden was starring for the Pioneers.

Wolverines’ head coach David Rebibo made it a point during the team’s post-game press conference at the Golden 1 Center that his group of seniors did something very special to win two straight Open Division titles with no transfers.

We decided on Monday while adding Harvard-Westlake 2024 to the all-time list to check out other schools that have repeated with no transfers. It’s a small list of only two others since the first CIF state championships held in 1980 — Westchester of Los Angeles for 2009-10 and we think Crenshaw of Los Angeles for 1985-86.

Both of those previously mentioned teams from Centennial and Sierra Canyon had transfers. So did Mater Dei in its run of four in a row. Artesia’s teams with Harden had transfer center Renardo Sidney and that Westchester group of 2004-05 had at least one transfer we found as well.

Going back further than that, at least one transfer was found at Dominguez of Compton (1999-2000), Crenshaw of Los Angeles (1993-94) and St. Joseph of Alameda (1991-92). We don’t think Crenshaw of 1985-86 had a transfer, although sophomore Stevie Thompson played JayVees in 1983-84 after playing one game of varsity ball at St. Anthony of Long Beach as a freshman. Last year’s Harvard-Westlake group did include Hart of Newhall transfer Brady Dunlap, but the senior group this year didn’t. Even so, it’s very rare and that was coach Rebibo’s point.

Harvard-Westlake also has now been State Team of the Year three times. It’s previous No. 1 finish was in 1997 under previous head coach Greg Hilliard. That team, led by twin towers Jason and Jarron Collins, won the CIF D3 state title and was selected over D1 state champion Crenshaw and D2 state champion Dominguez.

Cal-Hi Sports Boys Basketball
State Teams of the Year All-Time List

2024 – Studio City Harvard-Westlake (33-3)
2023 – Studio City Harvard-Westlake (33-2)
2022 – Corona Centennial (33-1)
2021 – Corona Centennial (21-2)
2020 – Chatsworth Sierra Canyon (30-4)
2019 – Chatsworth Sierra Canyon (32-3)
2018 – Chatsworth Sierra Canyon (27-4)
2017 – Torrance Bishop Montgomery (31-2)
2016 – Chino Hills (35-0)
2015 – Oakland Bishop O’Dowd (28-4)
2014 – Santa Ana Mater Dei (35-0)
2013 – Santa Ana Mater Dei (34-2)
2012 – Santa Ana Mater Dei (34-2)
2011 – Santa Ana Mater Dei (32-3)
2010 – Los Angeles Westchester (32-3)
2009 – Los Angeles Westchester (35-2)
2008 – Oakland McClymonds (32-0)
2007 – Lakewood Artesia (33-2)
2006 – Lakewood Artesia (32-1)
2005 – Los Angeles Westchester (25-3)
2004 – Los Angeles Westchester (23-2)
2003 – Santa Ana Mater Dei (34-2)
2002 – Los Angeles Westchester (32-2)
2001 – Santa Ana Mater Dei (33-2)
2000 – Compton Dominguez (35-2)
1999 – Compton Dominguez (32-3)
1998 – Los Angeles Westchester (29-3)
1997 – Studio City Harvard-Westlake (35-1)
1996 – Compton Dominguez (34-2)
1995 – Santa Ana Mater Dei (36-1)
1994 – Los Angeles Crenshaw (29-2)
1993 – Los Angeles Crenshaw (26-2)
1992 – Alameda St. Joseph (32-3)
1991 – Alameda St. Joseph (31-3)
1990 – Santa Ana Mater Dei (34-1)
1989 – Los Angeles Crenshaw (25-2)
1988 – Los Angeles Manual Arts (27-3)
1987 – Santa Ana Mater Dei (31-1)
1986 – Los Angeles Crenshaw (25-2)
1985 – Los Angeles Crenshaw (24-0)
1984 – Long Beach Poly (31-2)
1983 – Los Angeles Crenshaw (27-2)
1982 – Carson (26-2)
1981 – Long Beach Poly (26-2)
1980 – Inglewood (29-0)
1979 – Los Angeles Verbum Dei (28-1)
1978 – Pasadena (26-2)
1977 – Oakland Fremont (25-1)
1976 – Long Beach Poly (30-1)
1975 – Elk Grove (27-5)
1974 – Los Angeles Verbum Dei (30-2)
1973 – Los Angeles Verbum Dei (29-2)
1972 – Los Angeles Verbum Dei (30-1)
1971 – Los Angeles Verbum Dei (29-2)
1970 – Berkeley (32-0)
1969 – Compton (30-0)
1968 – Compton (32-0)
1967 – Los Angeles Fremont (16-2)
1966 – Los Angeles Jordan (18-0)
1965 – Long Beach Poly (29-3)
1964 – Long Beach Poly (32-1)
1963 – Oakland McClymonds (19-3)
1962 – Oakland McClymonds (23-0)
1961 – Compton (28-3)
1960 – Oakland McClymonds (22-0)
1959 – Oakland McClymonds (22-0)
1958 – Oakland McClymonds (21-0)
1957 – San Francisco Poly (28-1)
1956 – El Cerrito (31-1)
1955 – Alhambra (27-2)
1954 – San Francisco St. Ignatius (26-2)
1953 – Los Angeles Loyola (34-2)
1952 – Compton (32-0)
1951 – Los Angeles Jefferson (27-0)
1950 – Chico (15-3)
1949 – Los Angeles Washington (21-0)
1948 – San Francisco Lincoln (29-2)
1947 – Los Angeles Mt. Carmel (34-2)
1946 – Stockton (20-2)
1945 – San Diego Hoover (16-1)
1944 – Alameda (15-1)
1943 – San Francisco St. Ignatius (14-0)
1942 – Palo Alto (18-0)
1941 – Glendale Hoover (21-1)
1940 – Long Beach Poly (22-2)
1939 – San Francisco Lowell (17-3)
1938 – Whittier (24-3)
1937 – San Francisco Lowell (17-3)
1936 – San Diego (14-1)
1935 – Santa Barbara (14-1)
1934 – Santa Barbara (16-1)
1933 – Stockton (16-2)
1932 – San Francisco Lowell (18-3)
1931 – Whittier (25-1)
1930 – Palo Alto (13-0)
1929 – Palo Alto (15-0)

Note: List continues back to 1903 in Cal-Hi Sports Record Book & Almanac. All selections prior to 1975 made retroactively based on research by our founder, the late Nelson Tennis.

Mark Tennis is the co-founder and publisher of CalHiSports.com. He can be reached at markjtennis@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow Mark on the Cal-Hi Sports Twitter handle: @CalHiSports


Girls BB State Team of Year 2024

Four of Etiwanda’s five starters — Grace Knox, Aliyahna “Puff” Morris, Kennedy Smith and Mykelle Richards — scored all of the team’s points except six during the team’s win against Mitty. Arynn Finley was the fifth starter. Photo: Willie Eashman.


Going back-to-back as a State Team of the Year in California girls basketball history isn’t that unusual, so the biggest question in the aftermath of Etiwanda’s CIF Open Division state title game victory over Archbishop Mitty is whether the Eagles will join Mater Dei of Santa Ana next year as the only schools in state history to ever do three in a row. Etiwanda does become the first program in the Open Division era of CIF state basketball history to go back-to-back also as State Team of the Year.

We hope you like this free post on CalHiSports.com. Please help us out today by becoming a member of our Gold Club so you can see all of our great content. All final state rankings for basketball and some of the upcoming all-state team posts will be for Gold Club members only. For more on special offer to get signed up for $3.99 for one month, CLICK HERE.

(Associate editor Harold Abend contributed to this article)

Since the CIF Open Division state playoff format began in 2013, it’s been just a formality to also add the winning team onto the all-time state list of California No. 1 teams. Before that, there was always some suspense about which team might get chosen and there had been non-Division 1 teams that were State Teams of the Year.

Still, there’s always history to explore with any CIF Open Division state champion and it has become customary for us to do that when officially adding that team — in this case Etiwanda — to the all-time state list.

Head coach Stan Delus’s squad is being added for the second straight season after capturing its second straight CIF Open Division state title last Saturday with a 60-48 triumph over Archbishop Mitty of San Jose, which came into the game unbeaten and was No. 1 in the state and national rankings.

While Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth can claim back-to-back CIF Open state titles for 2019 and 2022 since there were no CIF state championships in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID, it’s not the same for State Team of the Year. One was still picked in 2020 with no state title games held (it was La Jolla Country Day) and in 2021 (Corona Centennial) when there was that late spring season with no state finals in March.

Mater Dei of Santa Ana had a run of three straight State Team of the Year honors from 2010 to 2012 under retiring head coach Kevin Kiernan, but the CIF Open Division format began in 2013. Etiwanda therefore has become the first back-to-back State Team of the Year in the CIF Open Division era.

Mater Dei’s run of three straight State Team of the Year selections also is historical because its the only time that has happened since the first honor was determined in the early 1970s by Cal-Hi Sports founder Nelson Tennis.

Can Etiwanda make in three in a row next season and join the Monarchs? Transfers can always complicate the landscape, but despite the graduation loss of McDonald’s All-American Kennedy Smith no one would be wise to count out the Eagles.

Stellar point guard Aliyahna “Puff” Morris will be back for her senior year as will forward Grace Knox, who became a dominant player especially at the end of this season. The expected addition of perhaps the top incoming ninth grader in the nation, 6-foot-4 Sydney Douglas, who is from the Inland Empire, would also be a perfect replacement for Smith. Nothing seems official on that yet, however, other than Sydney’s father, former NFL lineman Rome Douglas, offering the correct pronunciation of Stan Delus’ name last week on X/Twitter.

Cal-Hi Sports Girls Basketball
State Teams of the Year All-Time List

2024 – Etiwanda (32-3)
2023 – Etiwanda (32-3)
2022 – Chatsworth Sierra Canyon (30-2)
2021 – Corona Centennial (25-1)
2020 – La Jolla Country Day (32-1)
2019 – Chatsworth Sierra Canyon (33-1)
2018 – Los Angeles Windward (27-3)
2017 – Fresno Clovis West (34-2)
2016 – West Hills Chaminade (31-4)
2015 – Stockton St. Mary’s (34-1)
2014 – Long Beach Poly (27-3)
2013 – Oakland Bishop O’Dowd (30-3)
2012 – Santa Ana Mater Dei (34-3)
2011 – Santa Ana Mater Dei (34-1)
2010 – Santa Ana Mater Dei (32-1)
2009 – Brea Olinda Brea (33-2)
2008 – S.F. Sacred Heart Cathedral (33-0)
2007 – Long Beach Poly (36-1)
2006 – Fullerton Troy (33-1)
2005 – Piedmont (32-2)
2004 – Piedmont (33-2)
2003 – Lynwood (32-1)
2002 – Lynwood (32-0)
2001 – Harbor City Narbonne (28-3)
2000 – Harbor City Narbonne (34-0)
1999 – San Jose Archbishop Mitty (31-0)
1998 – Harbor City Narbonne (32-1)*
1997 – Berkeley (29-3)
1996 – Irvine Woodbridge (32-2)
1995 – Irvine Woodbridge (33-1)
1994 – Brea Olinda Brea (33-0)
1993 – Lynwood (31-0)
1992 – RH Estates Peninsula (33-0)
1991 – Berkeley (30-2)
1990 – Inglewood Morningside (32-3)
1989 – Inglewood Morningside (33-1)
1988 – Fremont Oakland (28-0)**
1987 – San Diego Point Loma (34-0)
1986 – San Diego Point Loma (31-1)
1985 – Compton (26-0)
1984 – Ventura Buena (31-0)
1983 – Ventura Buena (28-4)
1982 – Riverside Poly (34-0)
1981 – Riverside Poly (29-0)
1980 – Berkeley (29-0)
1979 – Woodland Hills El Camino Real (19-0)
1978 – Huntington Beach (25-2)
1977 – Los Angeles (16-0)
1976 – Ventura (23-0)
1975 – Chula Vista Hilltop (18-0)
1974 – Berkeley (19-1)
1973 – Fresno San Joaquin Memorial (12-0)
1972 – Ventura Buena (8-0)

*Forfeit losses not included. CIF Division I state title vacated due to residency issues.
**Eleven wins forfeited due to use of ineligible player.

Mark Tennis is the co-founder and publisher of CalHiSports.com. He can be reached at markjtennis@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow Mark on the Cal-Hi Sports Twitter handle: @CalHiSports


Preseason TOP 5: Baseball, Softball

The earliest ever start to the baseball & softball season in the CIF Southern Section, three weeks before some top teams in other CIF sections in the state are playing their first games, makes it impossible for us to do a true preseason state ranking this year for either baseball or softball.

With games beginning this weekend in the state’s largest section by far, however, we do want to proclaim a preseason No. 1 for the state in both sports and a preseason state top five. We’ll do a more thorough breakdown later as more teams get games in. Instead of a preseason state ranking, however, it will simply be the first rankings of the 2024 regular season.

Note: We hope you enjoy this free post on CalHiSports.com. All regular season state rankings in baseball & softball plus weekly state stat stars beginning in mid-March plus some of the all-state baseball & softball content will be for Gold Club members only. To see how you can sign up, CLICK HERE.

PRESEASON BASEBALL TOP 5 TEAMS
(with last year’s win-loss record)

1. Corona 22-11
The Panthers are viewed by all of the national groups that do rankings (we did them before as well for many years with ESPN and Student Sports) as one of the very best in either the No. 1 or No. 2 positions. It’s easy to see why. There are loads of returning players, including UCLA-bound No. 1 pitcher Ethan Shiefelbein, plus the 2023 Cal-Hi Sports State Freshman of the Year, Anthony Murphy, along with key transfers junior Brady Ebel (the freshman of the year from 2022) and his younger brother Trey (who were at Etiwanda and are the sons of Dodgers’ third base coach Dino Ebel). Head coach Andy Wise’s squad also is coming off of a CIFSS D1 semifinal finish from last year. Similar to JSerra two years ago, though, Corona has never won a title in the top division of the CIFSS.

Harvard-Westlake’s Duncan Marsten is regarded as one of the state’s top prospects from the Class of 2024. Photo: PerfectGame.org.


2. Harvard-Westlake (Studio City) 21-9
Bryce Rainer has been the state player of the year among freshmen, sophomores and juniors the past three seasons and starts the spring as the leading candidate to be Mr. Baseball State Player of the Year. Rainer (Texas) didn’t even pitch last season, but still did enough as a hitter to stay on top of the other juniors. Tommy Bridges (TCU) will be another four-year standout as a pitcher for the Wolverines. Duncan Marsten (Wake Forest) is another elite pitcher. Harvard-Westlake also had several other elite younger players last season, including freshman James Tronstein (Stanford).

3. Lutheran (Orange) 20-12-1
The preseason No. 1 team by the Orange County Register has a lineup that 15-year head coach Eric Borba told them is “deeper than its ever been.” The Lancers have one of the state’s top MLB Draft prospects in senior outfielder Derek Curiel (who has signed with LSU), who has been ranked among the best of the 2024 class since he was a freshman. Junior OF Josh Hartshorn also is back after leading the team in RBI with 24. Twelve players on the roster in all have signed letters in intent for D1 colleges or have committed to D1 colleges.

4. De La Salle (Concord) 27-5
Pitching strength has to keep the Spartans near the top of the state rankings. They also are taking a 30-game playoff win streak into this season including two straight CIF NorCal Open Division titles and six straight CIF North Coast Section D1 titles. That’s the second longest playoff win streak in state history. R.J. Meyn went 10-0 on the mound with a 2.20 ERA while junior Jack Hershey went 6-3 with a 2.21 ERA. Hank Tripaldi, who hit perhaps the most dramatic home run in NorCal history (a two-out grand slam in the top of the seventh inning of the NorCal title game vs Valley Christian), is also among those back.

5. JSerra (SJ Capistrano) 24-9
We will always start out a team like the Lions with two straight CIFSS D1 titles and a No. 1 statewide finish from the year before higher than perhaps others do (who look at player rankings more than anything else). Results on the field will quickly take care of preseason prognosis anyway. The Lions lose a lot of position players, especially Mr. Baseball POY Trent Caraway, but they have a lot of pitching coming back. The best of that group is senior Matt Champion (signed with LSU).

Others:
Eastlake (Chula Vista) 28-6, Huntington Beach 21-9, Franklin (Elk Grove) 30-5, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 28-4, Santa Margarita (Rancho SM) 28-6, Valley Christian (San Jose) 31-4.

PRESEASON SOFTBALL TOP 5 TEAMS
(with last year’s win-loss record)

1. Pacifica (Garden Grove) 24-8
Last season’s final No. 2 team is looking to win a second straight CIFSS D1 title and has just about everyone back to do it. The Mariners also will play in all of other top tournaments for a schedule that makes them a national No. 1 contender. It’s a group with several four-year varsity standouts, including ace pitcher Brynne Nally, a Long Beach State recruit. The others are shortstop Kaniya Bragg (UCLA), catcher Delaina Ma’ae (UC Santa Barbara), outfielder Kayli Counts (Cal) and first base Annika Sogsti (Cal State Fullerton).

St. Francis senior Shannon Keighran will play next at Boise State. Photo: Mark Tennis.


2. St. Francis (Mountain View) 28-4
It was considered to start the Lancers on top to start the season since they did get a win last season over Pacifica at the Michelle Carew Classic. They later had a loss to Los Alamitos and were not able to end No. 1 in the state for a second straight year due to two losses to Hollister (which was the team that finished as State Team of the Year). St. Francis has one of the top one-two pitching punches in NorCal history and it should keep the team highly ranked again. Kate Munnerlyn (Texas A&M) and Shannon Keighran (Boise State) are those two pitchers plus they can contribute at the plate.

3. Huntington Beach 23-6
Toward the end of the season, junior Zoe Prystajko of the Oilers was doing so well as a hitter and pitcher that she was looking like a leading Ms. Softball State Player of the Year contender. It didn’t end as hoped, but she was still the Orange County Player of the Year and starts 2024 as one of the best in the state. The Stanford-bound Prystajko also has seven other returning starters coming back with her. It’s never easy for Huntington Beach playing teams like Los Alamitos, however, in its league.

4. Lutheran (Orange) 22-6
The Lancers will feature one of the state’s top returning pitchers in Brianne Weiss plus they still have one of the most exciting juniors in the nation in outfielder Kai Minor. Kai has committed to Oklahoma.

5. Norco 27-4
All of the success in recent years under head coach Rick Robinson made it too tough for us to put the Cougars behind two others from the Inland Empire region that also look strong to start this season: Riverside Poly & Great Oak of Temecula. Two of the best players Norco has ever had — Alyssa Hovermale (Florida) and Mya Perez (Texas A&M) will be be missed. Among those back are outfielder Dakota Potter (South Carolina), junior outfielder Tamryn Shorter (Boise State) and senior infielder Maddy Aguilera (Boise State).

Others: Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 21-5, Great Oak (Temecula) 20-8-1, Hollister 30-3, Los Alamitos 24-4, Poway 30-3, Whitney (Rocklin) 22-8.


All-State FB Patch List For Juniors

All-State Football Patches will again be handled this year by our friends at BillyTees.com. For more information about Cal-Hi Sports merchandise at BillyTees.com, CLICK HERE.


Congratulations to the following players listed in alphabetical order who have been selected to either first team, second team or third team on the 2023 Cal-Hi Sports All-State Junior Football Teams for the fall season. These players and their families can now order an official all-state football patch plus you’ll get a certificate through our partners at BillyTees.com. We also wanted to post the names on a list so we’re not collecting a subscription from a parent who is only interested in seeing if their son has been picked and then finds out the son wasn’t picked.

For ordering info to get 2023 all-state football patch, CLICK HERE.

To get a Gold Club subscription so you can see the complete presentation of the Cal-Hi Sports 2023 All-State Junior Football Teams (fall season), CLICK HERE.

First & Second Teams

Max Amasio (St. John Bosco)
Hayden Anderson (Windsor)
Alex Asparuhov (San Joaquin Memorial)
Bear Bachmeier (Murrieta Valley)
Wyatt Becker (Sierra Canyon)
Dash Beirly (Chaparral)
Garrison Blank (Rocklin)
Karson Cox (Oak Hills)
Kaleb Edwards (Oak Ridge)
Trestin Castro (Upland)
Adonyss Currie (Quartz Hill)
Daryus Dixson (Mater Dei, Santa Ana)
Dane Dunn (Sierra Canyon)
Toa Faavae (De La Salle)
Madden Faraimo (JSerra)
Jake Flores (JSerra)
Gavin Garretson (Pleasant Valley)
Ishmael Gibbs (Chaminade, West Hills)
Marcus Harris (Mater Dei, Santa Ana)
Tre Harrison (Serra, Gardena)
Drew Hill (Centennial, Corona)
Jadyn Hudson (Pittsburg)
Madden Iamaleava (Warren)
Mark Iheanachor (Narbonne)
Carter Jackson (Granite Bay)
Marco Jones (San Ramon Valley)
Kingston Keanaaina (St. Francis, Mountain View)
Odhran Kenny (St. Ignatius)
Christian Knoos (Oaks Christian)
Jackson Kollock (Laguna Beach)
Chris Lawson (Archbishop Riordan)
Dijon Lee Jr. (Mission Viejo)
Jackson Lloyd (Carmel)
Husan Longstreet (Centennial, Corona)
McKay Madsen (Clovis North)
Kapono Mao (Los Alamitos)
Chuck McDonald (Mater Dei, Santa Ana)
Noah Mikhail (Bonita)
John Mills (St. Ignatius)
Ty Olsen (Del Norte, San Diego)
Chinedu Onyeagoro (King/Drew)
Weston Port (San Juan Hills)
Tyler Presuhn (Carlsbad)
Shane Rosenthal (Newbury Park)
Jake Silverman (Torrance)
Akili Smith Jr. (Lincoln, San Diego)
J.J. Solis (Aquinas)
Matai Tagoa’i (San Clemente)
Semi Taulanga (Mater Dei, Santa Ana)
Champ Taulealea (Valley Christian, SJ)
Jett Thomas (La Jolla)
Jordin Thomas (Lincoln, Stockton)
Sione Tohi (Mater Dei, Santa Ana)
Losipini Tupou (Archbishop Riordan)
Jeremiah Tuiileila (Grant, Sacramento)
LaMason Waller (Sultana)
Jewelous Walls (Pittsburg)
Jaden Williams (Mission Viejo)
Nasir Wyatt (Mater Dei, Santa Ana)
Ashton Zamani (Sierra Canyon)

Third Team

Isaac Adams (Cajon)
Budder Aina (Pacifica, Oxnard)
Marley Alcantara (Pittsburg)
Stevie Amar (Oaks Christian)
LaVar Arrington (Charter Oak)
Sir Autry (Hoover, San Diego)
Jayden Baer (Quartz Hill)
Derrick Blanche (De La Salle)
Elijah Bow (Pittsburg)
Marquis Bradley (Ontario Christian)
Jimmy Butler (Serra, Gardena)
Cory Butler Jr. (Centennial, Corona)
Jeremiah Calvin (Mayfair)
Anthony Campbell (Lutheran, Orange)
Quaid Carr (Servite)
Henry Casani (Loyola)
Jackson Cinfel (Clovis North)
Ricky Cole (Inderkum)
Kavon Collins (Monterey)
Charles Cravings (Santa Monica)
Jordon Davison (Mater Dei, Santa Ana)
Isaiah Dillon (Pacifica, Oxnard)
Dayquan Dunn (Arcata)
Dominic Duran (Pacifica, Oxnard)
Alonzo Esparza (Los Alamitos)
Eimesse Essis (Tustin)
Kellan Ford (Monte Vista, Danville)
Puka Fuimaono (San Clemente)
Dreyden Garner (Lincoln, San Diego)
Kourdey Glass (Hanford)
Koen Glover (St. Bonaventure)
Zach Giuliano (Corona del Mar)
Daniel Gomez (Hanford)
Theo Greule (Folsom)
Henry Hatada (Rocklin)
Jacob Higgs (Sultana)
Elijah Huddle (Casa Roble)
Kameryn Hurst (Carson)
Devin Hyde (Menlo-Atherton)
Ezequiel Johnson (Redondo)
J.J. Johnson (Enterprise)
Matthew Johnson (De La Salle)
Carter Jones (Crean Lutheran)
C.J. Jones (Sunnyside, Fresno)
Tony Keck (Clayton Valley)
Derek Keeley (Rocklin)
Joe Kessler (Palo Alto)
Andrew Langer (Carlsbad)
T.J. Lateef (Lutheran, Orange)
Ryan Lewis (Escalon)
Hinesward Lilomaiava (Mission Viejo)
Ryan Luce (Trabuco Hills)
Marko Luera (Glendora)
Jacob Maiava (Santa Margarita)
Jared Martin (Central, El Centro)
Cory McEnroe (Thousand Oaks)
Julian McMahon (Monte Vista, Danville)
Gabe Miller (Foothill, Palo Cedro)
Tyus Miller (Clovis East)
Jesse Myers (Cardinal Newman)
Drew Nichols (Murrieta Valley)
Jarret Nielsen (Jordan, Long beach)
Jace Nix (San Marcos)
Kalib Pacheco (Don Lugo)
Mays Pese (Bishop Diego)
Kyler Peters (Apple Valley)
Etene Prichard (Pittsburg)
Aaron Ramirez (Coachella Valley)
Abuduall Sanders (Mater Dei, Santa Ana)
John Sanders (St. Francis, LC)
Owen Scott (San Ramon Valley)
Jamar Searcy (Pittsburg)
Seth Shigg (Chaminade)
Myles Singleton (Culver City)
Epi Sitanilei-Usumalil (St. John Bosco)
Shondrick Smallwood (Central, Fresno)
John “Sharky” Tamale (McClymonds)
Scott Taylor (Loyola)
Wes Timmel (San Marin)
Max Turner (Granite Hills, El Cajon)
Sione Vailea (McClymonds)
Jesse Wishon (Millikan)
Venilaite Wolfgramm (Inglewood)
Jonathan Ybarra (Sanger)
LaRue Zamarano (Centennial, Corona)


All-State FB Patch List For Sophomores

All-State Football Patches will again be handled this year by our friends at BillyTees.com. For more information about Cal-Hi Sports merchandise at BillyTees.com, CLICK HERE. The patches for 2023 will be available soon.


Congratulations to the following players listed in alphabetical order who have been selected to either first team, second team or third team on the 2023 Cal-Hi Sports All-State Sophomore Football Teams for the fall season. These players and their families can now order an official all-state football patch plus you’ll get a certificate through our partners at BillyTees.com. We also wanted to post the names on a list so we’re not collecting a subscription from a parent who is only interested in seeing if their son has been picked and then finds out the son wasn’t picked.

For ordering info to get 2023 all-state football patch, CLICK HERE.

To get a Gold Club subscription so you can see the complete presentation of the Cal-Hi Sports 2023 All-State Sophomore Football Teams (fall season), CLICK HERE.

Khalil Abdul-Aziz (Orange Vista)
Elvin Afa (Cathedral, L.A.)
Oscar Aguilar (Downey)
Isaiah Arriaza (Damien)
Jaxon Bell (Liberty, Brentwood)
Davon Benjamin (Oaks Christian)
Allen Blaylock (Narbonne)
Wyatt Brown (Santa Monica)
Wes Burford (Oakdale)
Chase Cahoon (St. Francis, MV)
Jared Carrete (Patterson)
Romeo Carter (Point Loma)
Jordan Crisp (Tulare)
Savion Day (Long Beach Poly)
Jason De La Cruz (Orosi)
Carson Diehl (La Jolla)
Tytus Dimmer (Clovis West)
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (Mater Dei, SA)
Lucio Dominguez (Grant, Sac)
Isaiah Ene (Granite Bay)
Luke Fahey (Mission Viejo)
Manoah Faupusa (Los Alamitos)
Carlos Flores (Bishop Amat)
Nathan Fox (Menlo School)
Chaz Gilbreath (Mayfair)
Tommy Herr (San Juan Hills)
Ronnell Hewitt (Birmingham)
J.D. Hill (Mission Viejo)
Logan Hirou (Santa Margarita)
Dutch Horisk (St. John Bosco)
Talanoa Ili (Orange Lutheran)
Jaden Jefferson (De La Salle)
Auma Jennings (Orange Lutheran)
Andre Johnson (Colony)
Parker Johnson (St. Augustine)
Malachi Johnston (Santa Barbara)
Jeron Jones (Mission Viejo)
Crosby Kelly (Campolindo)
Michael Langi (Archbishop Riordan)
Bronx Letuligasenoa (St. Augustine)
Tay Lockett (St. John Bosco)
Ryder Lyons (Folsom)
Brandon Lockhart (Loyola)
J.D. McKinley (Centennial, Corona)
Michael Mitchell Jr. (Archbishop Riordan)
Miles Mitchell (Mayfair)
Samu Moala (Leuzinger)
Dathen Moore (Lassen)
Kenneth Moore (St. Mary’s, Stockton)
Sean Morris (Loyola)
Trent Mosley (Santa Margarita)
Jayden Nicholas (De La Salle)
Niniva Nicholson (JSerra)
Daniel Odom (St. John Bosco)
Tristan Ordaz (Servite)
Adrian Ortiz (St. Jeanne de Lestonnac)
Brady Palmer (St. Augustine)
Devan Parker (Servite)
Joseph Peko (Oaks Christian)
Matthew Perez (St. Bonaventure)
Jeremiah Ponce (Mater Dei)
Jameson Powell (Folsom)
Koa Rapolla (Palm Springs)
Palmer Riley (Menlo School)
Madden Riordan (Sierra Canyon)
Deagan Rose (Clovis)
Jalen Ross (Warren)
Victor Santino (Inglewood)
Izak Simpson (Simi Valley)
Reeve Sloan (Rocklin)
Brady Smigiel (Newbury Park)
Brandon Smith (Central, Fresno)
David Smith (Otay Ranch)
Kamari Smith (Long Beach Poly)
Ryder Smith (Great Oak)
Vance Spafford (Mission Viejo)
Tyler Starling (Agoura)
Brayden Stevenson (Tulare)
Caleb Tafua (Lakewood)
Ben Tamiefuna (Centennial, Corona)
Cynai Thomas (Archbishop Riordan)
Tommy Tofi (Archbishop Riordan)
Samuelu Utu (Orange Lutheran)
Cameron Vasquez (Bishop Amat)
Brady Walbridge (Dos Pueblos)
Kobie Watson (Frontier)
Kale Webb (JSerra)
Khary Wilder (Serra, Gardena)
Malik White (Rancho Cucamonga)
Da’lon Williams (Hesperia)
Madden Williams (St. John Bosco)
Jasen Womack (Oak Ridge)
Ronen Zamarano (Loyola)


State Defensive Player of Year: Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa

It’s the second straight St. John Bosco linebacker who is getting state’s top defensive honor, this time for the 2023 season. Viliamu-Asa also is the fourth in a row from the Trinity League.
Read more…


What to Do While Waiting for Next Football Game

Standing on the field, eagerly awaiting the kickoff of the next football game, the anticipation in the air is palpable. While the players warm up and the crowd buzzes with excitement, here are some engaging activities to make the most of your time before the game begins.

Impromptu Mini-Match

Gather fellow fans for a friendly impromptu mini-match. Whether it’s a quick game of touch football or a makeshift combine with 40-yard dash runs, this not only adds to the pre-game energy but also creates a sense of camaraderie among fans sharing the field. Extend the enjoyment by capturing these moments with photos and videos, creating lasting memories that can be shared with the larger fan community. As the laughter echoes across the field, spontaneous games become cherished traditions, making game day more than just a spectator sport.

Online Casino Excitement

For those looking to add an extra layer of thrill, consider exploring online casinos from the stands. Engage in the excitement of games like slots, roulette, and various other options. Notable examples include classic slot machines, live dealer roulette, and real money online pokies. Just remember to play responsibly and set limits to ensure a controlled and fun experience. Extend the entertainment by sharing your online casino adventures with friends, creating a shared experience even when physically apart. These digital diversions offer a unique blend of thrill and camaraderie, adding a virtual layer to the pre-game festivities.

Player Spotting and Autographs

Keep an eye out for your favorite players as they warm up or walk on to the field. This is a prime opportunity to get close and perhaps even snag an autograph or a quick selfie. It’s a thrilling way to connect with the game on a personal level and create lasting memories. Extend the excitement by sharing your player encounters on social media, connecting with fans who share similar admiration for the team. These shared moments create a digital scrapbook of fandom, fostering a sense of connection and shared passion for the sport.

Tailgate Games

Bring the tailgate vibe to the field by playing classic games like cornhole, ladder toss, or frisbee. Set up a mini tailgate area with snacks and drinks, turning the field into your own pre-game party zone. Extend the camaraderie by inviting nearby fans to join in the fun, fostering a sense of unity and friendship among supporters of the same team. As the tailgate games unfold, the field transforms into a vibrant social hub, where shared laughter and friendly competition become integral parts of the pre-game ritual.

Interactive Social Media Challenges

Harness the power of social media by organizing interactive challenges. Encourage fans to share their pre-game rituals, favorite team chants, or predictions for the game. This not only fosters a sense of community but also adds an element of friendly competition among fans. Extend the engagement by regularly updating the challenges and featuring the most creative fan contributions, turning the pre-game moments into a dynamic, ongoing experience for the entire fan base. As the challenges evolve, the online community becomes a dynamic extension of the in-person camaraderie, creating a shared space for fan creativity and team spirit.


TD Triumphs: Teams with Most Super Bowl Wins

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest events in American sports, with millions of viewers tuning in each year to watch the top teams battle it out for the NFL title. Over the years, some teams have proven more successful than others, racking up multiple Super Bowl wins and cementing their place in NFL history. Statistics from JeffBet explore the teams with the most Super Bowl wins and examine what makes them so successful.

The New England Patriots dominated the NFL throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, winning Super Bowls in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers have also had a long history of success, with the Steelers winning their first Super Bowl in 1975 and the 49ers dominating the 1980s and 1990s with four championships in 10 years.

While these teams have certainly had their fair share of triumphs on the field, their success is not just a result of luck or talent. It takes a combination of skill, strategy, and teamwork to win a Super Bowl, and the most successful teams have consistently executed on all fronts. Many factors contribute to a team’s success in the NFL, from top-notch coaching to talented players to a winning culture. In the following sections, we will examine the teams with the most Super Bowl wins and what makes them stand out.

History of Super Bowl Victories

The Super Bowl is the biggest annual sporting event in the United States, and it has been the stage for some of the most memorable moments in sports history. Over the years, several teams have dominated the competition, winning multiple Super Bowls and cementing their place in NFL history. In this section, we will explore the history of Super Bowl victories and the teams that have achieved the most success.

Milestone Wins

The first Super Bowl was held in 1967; since then, there have been 57 editions of the event. Over the years, several milestone victories have left a lasting impact on the sport. One of the most memorable was Super Bowl III, where the New York Jets defeated the heavily-favored Baltimore Colts, 16-7. This victory was seen as a major upset and helped to establish the legitimacy of the American Football League (AFL).

Another milestone victory was Super Bowl XXV, in which the New York Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills, 20-19. This game is often remembered for the dramatic final moments, in which the Giants’ defense stopped the Bills from scoring a game-winning touchdown. This victory also was the second Super Bowl win for the Giants, cemented their place as one of the most successful franchises in NFL history.

Dominant Eras

Over the years, several teams have dominated the Super Bowl, winning multiple championships and establishing themselves as dynasties. One of the most dominant teams in Super Bowl history is the New England Patriots, who have won six Super Bowls since 2002. Led by Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots have consistently and excellently won championships in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019.

Another dominant team in Super Bowl history is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have won six championships since 1975. Led by legendary head coach Chuck Noll and a roster of Hall of Fame players, including Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, and Franco Harris, the Steelers established themselves as one of the most successful franchises in NFL history. Their victories in Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, XIV, XL, and XLIII are remembered as some of the most dominant performances in Super Bowl history.

In conclusion, the Super Bowl has been the stage for some of the most memorable moments in sports history, and several teams have achieved great success in the competition. From milestone victories to dominant eras, the history of Super Bowl victories is a testament to the skill, determination, and excellence of the greatest football teams in the world.

Teams with the Most Super Bowl Wins

Regarding the Super Bowl, some teams have dominated the competition more than others. This section explores the top teams with the most Super Bowl wins, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys.

Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have won six Super Bowls, which is tied with the New England Patriots for the most in NFL history. The Steelers’ Super Bowl wins came in 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 2006, and 2009. The team is known for its tough, physical style of play and has produced some of the greatest players in NFL history, including Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, Franco Harris, and Joe Greene.

New England Patriots
The Patriots have also won six Super Bowls, with their most recent win coming in 2019. Led by legendary quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots have been a dominant force in the NFL for the past two decades. In addition to their six Super Bowl wins the Patriots have also appeared in three other Super Bowls, making them one of the most successful franchises in NFL history. Both Brady and Lynn Swann of the Steelers are from the same California high school — Serra of San Mateo.

San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have won five Super Bowls, with their most recent win coming in 1995. The team is known for its innovative offensive schemes and has produced some of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, including Joe Montana and Steve Young. The 49ers’ Super Bowl wins came in 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990, and 1995.

Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have also won five Super Bowls, with their most recent win in 1996. The team is known for its high-powered offense and has produced some of the greatest players in NFL history, including Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin. The Cowboys’ Super Bowl wins came in 1972, 1978, 1993, 1994, and 1996.

Overall, these four teams have been the most successful in Super Bowl history, with a total of 22 Super Bowl wins.

Influential Coaches

Regarding Super Bowl victories, coaches play a crucial role in the success of their teams. Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots, is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches ever. With six Super Bowl wins under his belt, Belichick’s attention to detail and strategic game planning has proven to be a winning formula time and time again.

Another legendary coach is Chuck Noll, who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl wins in six years during the 1970s. Noll’s emphasis on a strong defense and a balanced offense helped the Steelers become one of the most dominant teams of the decade.

The 49ers’ rise to the top in the 80s was led by West Coast offense innovator Bill Walsh. Two of the team’s later Super Bowls were won under head coach George Seifert.

Legendary Quarterbacks

Quarterbacks are often the face of their respective teams and have played a crucial role in many Super Bowl victories. Joe Montana, who won four Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers, is regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. His pinpoint accuracy and clutch performances in big games helped lead the 49ers to victory on multiple occasions.

Tom Brady is another quarterback who has left an indelible mark on the Super Bowl. Brady has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in NFL history with seven Super Bowl wins to his name. His ability to read defenses and make quick decisions under pressure has helped him repeatedly lead his teams to victory. He won an additional Super Bowl title with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.

Defensive Game-Changers

While quarterbacks and coaches often receive the lion’s share of the credit for Super Bowl victories, it’s important not to overlook the contributions of defensive players. Lawrence Taylor, a linebacker for the New York Giants, is widely regarded as one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history. His ability to disrupt offenses and make game-changing plays helped lead the Giants to two Super Bowl wins in the 1980s.

Another defensive game-changer was Reggie White, a defensive end who played for the Green Bay Packers in the 1990s. White’s ability to rush the passer and disrupt opposing offenses helped the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI in 1997.

Overall, it’s clear that successful Super Bowl teams are often led by a combination of talented coaches, quarterbacks, and defensive players. By working together and executing their game plans perfectly, these individuals have helped their teams achieve greatness on football’s biggest stage.

Impact on Popular Culture

The Super Bowl has become a cultural phenomenon in the United States, drawing in millions of viewers yearly. It is the biggest entertainment event in the country and has evolved from being just an NFL championship game into a national holiday. The Super Bowl significantly impacts popular culture, ranging from music to advertising to food and beverages.

One of the most notable cultural impacts of the Super Bowl is its halftime show, which features some of the biggest names in the music industry. The halftime show has become a platform for artists to showcase their talent and reach a massive audience. It has also become a cultural event in its own right, with people tuning in specifically for the halftime show.

Another impact of the Super Bowl on popular culture is its commercials. Companies pay millions of dollars for a 30-second spot during the game, and the ads have become just as much a part of the Super Bowl experience as the game itself. The ads are often funny, creative, and memorable, generating a lot of buzz and discussion on social media.

The Super Bowl also has a significant impact on food and beverage consumption. It is one of the biggest days for pizza delivery, and many people host or attend Super Bowl parties where they consume large amounts of snacks, beer, and other beverages. The Super Bowl has become a day for indulgence and celebration, a significant day for the food and beverage industry.

In summary, the Super Bowl significantly impacts popular culture in the United States. It is a cultural phenomenon that draws in millions of viewers yearly and has become a national holiday. The halftime show, commercials, and food and beverage consumption are just a few examples of the Super Bowl’s impact on popular culture.


Girls BB: Recognizing Some Classics

The Third Annual Recognize Game Classic at Merritt College in Oakland on Saturday had five teams ranked in the most recent Cal-Hi Sports State Top 25 rankings in action, and as expected four of the top-ranked teams that were favored came out victorious. We were honored to be asked to announce the six games contested and name each game’s MVP on behalf of Cal-Hi Sports.

Note: We hope you enjoy this free post on CalHiSports.com. The next Girls BB State TOP 25 update will be for Gold Club members only. All of our award-winning rankings writeups, analysis and predictions of what’s coming next for the rest of the 2023-24 season also ill be content for our Gold Club VIPs only. To become a member of our Gold Club so you can check out all of our girls basketball content, including state record updates and player rankings in each class, CLICK HERE.

Sofia Bowes had an impactful first half for San Ramon Valley in its big win vs Sacred Heart Cathedral. Photo: Harold Abend.


No. 9 San Ramon Valley (Danville) 72,
No. 14 Sacred Heart Cathedral (SF) 52

After going back and forth early on, Cal-Hi Sports No. 9 ranked San Ramon Valley (7-1) opened the second quarter on a 16-0 run that turned an 18-13 first quarter lead to a 34-13 advantage that ended up at 41-17 at the half. From there, the Wolves pretty much coasted to the finish line.

San Ramon Valley senior Amanda Kerner had a game-high 18 points (four 3-pointers) but all but five of her points came in the second half when the Wolves were already pretty much on cruise control. Because she took charge of the game with all 13 points (three 3-pointers), eight rebounds with a block and an assist coming in the first two quarters, senior Sofia Bowes was named the MVP despite twisting an ankle early in the third quarter that sent her to the bench for the remainder of the game.

“Sofia took control early on in the game and her play was key in the first half,” said San Ramon Valley head coach Joe Cristano. “She deserved the MVP.”

Wolves senior Sierra Chambers had 14 points, five rebound and two assists, and senior Avery Knapp added 11 points, five rebounds, four rebounds and two assists.

Sacred Heart Cathedral (7-1) got 14 points and eight rebounds from junior Madison Eade and 12 points (two 3-pointers) with two steals from junior Aniyah Versosa.

New Mexico-committed Sacred Heart Cathedral senior guard Reza Po was swarmed by the San Ramon Valley defense and held to a single basket and two free throws.

No. 11 Acalanes (Lafayette) 77, Caruthers 51

The small school girls from Caruthers played their hearts out but they were no match for an Acalanes team that has a lone 5-point loss to No. 6 St. Mary’s of Stockton.

Leading 3-2, Acalanes (8-1) went on a 10-0 run and led by as many as 28 points in a decisive victory.

Junior center Ariana Hallstrom showed a complete game and earned MVP honors after going for what turned out to be a Recognize Classic Game high 26 points, including three 3-pointers, five rebounds, four steals and an assist.

Several other Dons had solid games. Standout juniors Sophie Chin and Dulci Vail added 21 points, six rebounds and three steals, and 12 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Caruthers had three girls with nine points — junior Mia Mola (six rebounds) freshman Jaylee Moore (five rebounds) and senior Gizelle Aguirre.

Caruthers (2-3) has not shied away from tough competition. Of its three losses, this was the most lopsided. The other two were to 49-42 to state No. 18 ranked Brentwood (Los Angeles) and 54-48 to a Texas Episcopal team that boasts Shaq’s daughter, Me’arah O’Neal.

Jayla Stokes had 19 points in the battle for Oakland supremacy won by Bishop O’Dowd over Oakland Tech. Photo: Harold Abend / Cal-Hi Sports.


No. 12 Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) 58,
Oakland Tech 40

The final score doesn’t really indicate the competitiveness of this game we dubbed “the battle for Oaktown” after Bishop O’Dowd pulled away in the fourth quarter over an Oakland Tech team that’s been taking its lumps.

Both teams were missing top players. O’Dowd is without solid sophomore guard Lizzy Quinteros indefinitely. She suffered a knee injury in a late November win over Sacramento McClatchy. Oakland Tech has been without senior star Taliyah Logwood. According to Bulldogs head coach Leroy Hurt and confirmed by Logwood, she should be back from a non-season ending knee injury in approximately two weeks.

Sophomore guard Jayla Stokes led Bishop O’Dowd (4-1) with a game-high 19 points on five three-pointers with six steals and four rebounds. For her efforts Stokes was named the MVP of the game.

The only other Dragons’ player in double-figure scoring was senior Savannah Jones with 13 points plus four rebounds, three assists and three steals.

O’Dowd ran out to a 13-2 lead but Tech fought back with a 10-0 run to close it to 15-12 after one quarter. The run got to 21-6 and the Bulldogs took their biggest lead at 23-19 midway through the second quarter. However, in a game of runs, the Dragons closed the half on a 10-0 run and led 29-23 at the intermission.

Oakland Tech had a 6-0 run to open the second half to knot things at 29-apiece, but O’Dowd answered with a 10-2 run to make it 39-31 midway through the third quarter.

The Bulldogs closed it to 41-35 near the end of the third but that would be as close as they would get. From there they kind of ran out of gas and gave up a 9-0 run that made it 50-35, and at that point the deal was pretty much done.

Oakland Tech (4-6) got solid production from its two sophomore stars, Terri’A Russell and Jhai Johnson, but only four other girls scored and ball handling was and has been a problem for the Bulldogs this season, particularly with Logwood out. Russell had 14 points, eight rebounds, two steals and a block, and Johnson added 13 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks.

No. 15 Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 72,
Liberty (Brentwood) 26

This one was pretty much the Kate Schat show after the Cardinals’ junior standout scored the game’s first seven points and 13 in a first quarter alone that saw Newman bolt out to a 19-5 lead that got to 45-14 at the half. In the end it was the only game at the Recognize Game Classic to go to a running clock after Newman stretched it to 66-23 after three quarters.

Schat probably could have gone for a lot more points but Cardinals head coach Monica Mertle emptied the bench and removed Scat after she dropped in a three-pointer early in the third quarter.

Schat, who is starting to get some additional college interest after a solid summer and fall, was an obvious MVP after finishing with 24 points (three 3-pointers), five assists and two rebounds.

Cardinal Newman (8-2) was an overwhelming favorite coming in, and it seemed like an odd match-up for a showcase event, and Mertle knew that coming in, but she took it in stride.

“I’m ok with it,” Mertle remarked. “It gave me a chance to play my young ones.”

Besides Schat, nine other Cardinals scored led by senior Janelle Pena with 15 points plus seven rebounds and two steals.

Liberty (2-6) got seven points from senior Lea Salinas Beamen.

Eureka 75, McNair (Stockton) 41

The Eureka girls from Behind the Redwood Curtain bolted out to a 13-0 lead and never looked back in an easy victory.

McNair got it down to 20-12 in the early second quarter but by halftime it was 38-19 and a 13-4 run by Eureka to open the second half allowed the Loggers to coast home.

Junior Samara Gaither took home MVP honors after leading Eureka (11-1) with 20 points. Senior Isis Poteet added 14 points and senior Kaitlin Giacone finished with 13 points.

McNair (1-8) was led by sophomore Anjulie Navarro with 16 points including four three-pointers.

Priory (Portola Valley) 69,
Cornerstone Christian (Antioch) 46

Priory (5-2) opened an 8-0 lead that ballooned to 13-1 and by the end of the first quarter it was 25-11 and that would be the closest McNair would get.

Sophomore point guard Adelaide Chan had nine of her game-high 18 points (three 3-pointers) in the first quarter and earned MVP honors for the game mostly due to the fact she took charge early and set the tone for the game.

The young Panthers, with only one senior on the roster, had three other players in double-figure scoring led by Ugreat Daniels with 17 points. Sophomore Jordyn Moss and senior post Carmela Fontes had 15 and 10 points, respectively.

Cornerstone Christian (9-1) lost for the first time this season. The Cougars were led by the Alexander sisters. Sophomore Laila Alexander had 13 points and senior Mecca Alexander added 12 points.

Harold Abend is the associate editor of CalHiSports.com and the vice president of the California Prep Sportswriters Association. He can be reached at marketingharoldabend@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow him on Twitter: @HaroldAbend


CIF State Football Title Game MVPs

We have picked one for every game we’ve seen since the first one of the modern era in 2006, and have chosen one based on posted stats & media coverage for every other state final. Perhaps the hardest one this year was for Woodland Christian in D5-A. We also have one freshman and three sophomores who are joining our collection.

FOR SATURDAY GAME WRITEUPS AT SADDLEBACK COLLEGE, PASADENA CITY COLLEGE & EL CAMINO COLLEGE, CLICK HERE.

FOR FRIDAY GAME BREAKDOWNS AT SADDLEBACK COLLEGE, PASADENA CITY COLLEGE & EL CAMINO COLLEGE, CLICK HERE.

Note: We hope you enjoy this free post on CalHiSports.com. After the preseason, all weekly and final state rankings are available only to our Gold Club members as well as our state stat star of the week honor rolls. To check out getting a Gold Club membership to see all of those rankings plus all of our updated state record lists, totally authentic historical features, recruiting player ratings and more, CLICK HERE.
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