SoCal High School Sports: Basketball Kicks Off, Playoff Drama Unfolds

The Southern California high school sports scene is bursting with activity as basketball season approaches and football playoffs deliver nail-biting finishes. Columnist Eric Sondheimer brings us a comprehensive roundup of top players, formidable teams, and championship highlights across the region. Get ready to dive into the latest prep action!

Basketball Season Tips Off with Elite Talent

The countdown to high school basketball is nearly over, and SoCal is buzzing with anticipation. The Mission League, in particular, is witnessing an extraordinary surge of talent, bolstered by key transfers and emerging young stars. Sierra Canyon is projected as a state powerhouse, with new additions like Brandon McCoy (formerly St. John Bosco) and Brannon Martinsen (JSerra) joining forces with the already impressive Maximo Adams.

Not far behind, the Trinity League showcases its own star power. Santa Margarita returns four starters, featuring Georgia Tech commit Kaiden Bailey, Washington State commit Brayden Kyman, and Oregon State commit Drew Anderson. Mater Dei boasts Kansas commit Luke Barnett, while St. John Bosco features Christian Collins, one of the nation’s top seniors. Beyond these leagues, keep an eye on Missouri commit Jason Crowe Jr. leading Inglewood, and Crossroads’ sensational sophomore transfers, Evan Willis and Shalen Sheppard. Pasadena’s 6-foot-11 Josh Irving is heading to Texas A&M, and La Mirada’s Gene Roebuck is a high-scoring junior guard to watch.

Southern Section Football Playoffs: Upsets and Thrillers

The Southern Section football playoffs have already brought plenty of drama. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame delivered a strong offensive performance to overcome Laguna Beach 44-28 in a Division 3 opener, with quarterback Wyatt Brown and running back Noel Washington leading the charge against Jack Hurst’s impressive 413 passing yards.

This past week saw several major upsets, with five No. 1 seeds—Torrance (Division 5), Crespi (Division 6), Silverado (Division 9), Village Christian (Division 10), and St. Anthony (Division 11)—falling in the first round. Leuzinger pulled off one of the most impressive victories, defeating Crean Lutheran 34-17 thanks to quarterback Russell Sekona’s return. Expect intense matchups in the upcoming Division 1 playoffs, featuring games like Orange Lutheran at St. John Bosco and Mission Viejo vs. Mater Dei.

City Section Football: Programs Resurrected and Records Broken

In the City Section, the Open Division playoffs are heating up, with No. 1 seed Carson and quarterback Chris Fields facing King/Drew. An inspiring upset saw Van Nuys defeat No. 4-seeded Banning in Division I, a testament to coach Ken Osorio’s efforts to rebuild the program. Quarterfinal matchups include Franklin at No. 1 Venice, and University meeting Fairfax again in Division II. In Division III, Santee’s Darnell Miller continues to dominate, pushing his season rushing total to an incredible 2,485 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Flag Football Crowns Champions; Volleyball State Brackets Released

JSerra’s flag football team achieved perfection, finishing with an undefeated 28-0 record after a thrilling 25-20 victory over Orange Lutheran to claim the Southern Section Division 1 championship. They beat the defending champions three times this season! Meanwhile, the City Section will host its flag football championships this Saturday at Garfield High.

On the volleyball courts, Sierra Canyon clinched the Southern Section Division 1 girls’ championship against Mater Dei. In the City Section, Palisades triumphed over Western League rival Venice for the Open Division title. As teams look toward the state playoffs, Sierra Canyon has earned the No. 1 seed for the Open Division state volleyball playoffs, which begin this week.

Boys’ Water Polo Final Four & Other Prep Highlights

The Southern Section Open Division boys’ water polo semifinals are set for Irvine’s Woollett Aquatic Center. Powerhouse matchups include No. 1-seeded Newport Harbor against No. 6 Mira Costa, and No. 3 Corona del Mar taking on No. 4 Oaks Christian.

Beyond the major team sports, freshman Layla Phillips of Harbor Teacher Prep won the City Section girls’ golf championship by a significant margin, marking her as a national talent to watch. Moanikeala Finau from Diamond Bar also secured the Southern Section individual girls’ golf championship. In notable coaching news, Daniel Robles resigned from Don Lugo, and Joe Jurado from Rim of the World stepped down after criticizing playoff selections. St. Francis and JSerra are advertising head football coaching positions with competitive salaries.

Football Coach Salary Insights

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which high school basketball leagues are top to watch in SoCal?
  The Mission League and Trinity League are highlighted as having a significant surge in talent this season.
• Were there any big upsets in the Southern Section football playoffs?
  Yes, five No. 1 seeded teams lost in the first round across different divisions, including Torrance, Crespi, and Silverado.
• Who won the Southern Section Division 1 flag football championship?
  JSerra’s flag football team completed a perfect 28-0 season by defeating Orange Lutheran 25-20.
• Who is Gail Goodrich and why was his gym named after him?
  Gail Goodrich is a basketball Hall of Famer and L.A. sports legend who won titles with Poly High, UCLA, and the Lakers. Sun Valley Poly High named its new gym the “Gail Goodrich Sports Complex” in his honor.
• Are there free heart screenings available for SoCal students?
  Yes, a free heart screening for students and kids ages 10 to 25 will take place at La Mirada High on Thursday from 2:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

As the high school sports calendar continues to unfold, stay engaged with the local teams and athletes who bring passion and excitement to our community. Support these young talents and witness the next generation of SoCal sports legends in the making!

SoCal Basketball Kicks Off With Elite Talent