The 2024-25 sports season could have a bunch of elite women competing in a wide range of sports who’re so proficient they may push the elite boys to increase their very own stage of excellence. Southern California is crammed with youngsters you’ll be studying about and seeing on tv for years to come.
Let’s study a few of the athletes to watch for the new school 12 months:
GIRLS
Scottlyn Antonucci, Etiwanda, soccer. She’s captain for the USA under-16 nationwide staff as a junior midfielder. Known as Scottie, she has a hybrid class schedule so she will be able to have extra time to practice and journey. She made the resolution to hold taking part in high school soccer. “I absolutely love high school soccer. My best friends are on the team,” she stated. She has official recruiting visits to UCLA, North Carolina and Penn State.
Sierra Canyon’s Jerzy Robinson goes up for a shot in opposition to Etiwanda in the CIF Southern Section Open Division championship sport at Cal Baptist on Feb. 23, 2024.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Jerzy Robinson, Sierra Canyon, basketball. Considered the No. 1 recruit for the class of 2026, she’s gained gold medals the final two summers taking part in for the USA under-16 and under-17 nationwide groups. She was named event MVP at the under-17 World Cup after averaging 20.9 factors and 6.9 rebounds.
“I saw her play with USA basketball, I know without a doubt she’s gotten better,” coach Alicia Komaki stated.
Asked what she has improved in, Robinson stated, “Everything.”
Ontario Christian basketball star Kaleena Smith set the school scoring report and has her sights set on the profession mark.
(Steve Galluzzo / Los Angeles Times)
Kaleena Smith, Ontario Christian, basketball. She averaged 34.9 factors as a freshman. Whether taking pictures threes or driving to the basket, her offensive abilities are superior and thrilling to watch. Ontario Christian could possibly be the staff to problem Etiwanda for women’ basketball supremacy.
Standout Etiwanda heart Grace Knox (23).
(Steve Galluzzo)
Grace Knox, Etiwanda, basketball. The prime participant on the No. 1 staff in California, Knox is a 6-foot-2 heart who adjustments video games together with her protection. In July, she stated she was down to 4 faculties for her faculty selection: USC, Tennessee, Texas and Louisiana State.
Freshman Emily Song led Santa Margarita to the Division 1 women’ golf title.
(Greg Townsend)
Emily Song, Santa Margarita, golf. Song helped the Eagles win the state championship in women’ golf as a freshman. She shot 68 in the Division 1 championship match and was the Trinity League champion. Last 12 months, as a 13-year-old, she was the youngest competing in the U.S. Women’s Amateur subject.
Sadie Engelhardt reaches the end line after working a 1,600-meter break up of 4:33.95 that helped Ventura set the nationwide out of doors report at the Mt. SAC Relays on April 20, 2024.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Sadie Engelhardt, Ventura, monitor. The reigning Gatorade nationwide participant of the 12 months is gearing up for her senior 12 months in cross-country and monitor. She owns the nationwide report in the mile and certainly one of the 5 greatest marks in the 1,500. She’s anticipated to make her season debut in the Woodbridge Cross-Country Classic on Sept. 20 at the Great Park in Irvine. She additionally has a 4.56 grade-point common and is dedicated to North Carolina State.
Swimmer Teagan O’Dell of Santa Margarita.
(Marni O’Dell)
Teagan O’Dell, Santa Margarita, swimming. The future Olympian is lastly a senior and retains setting data and taking dwelling swimming trophies. She’s dedicated to California. She competed in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke occasions at the Olympic trials.
Orange Lutheran heart fielder Kai Minor is an Oklahoma commit.
(Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Kai Minor, Orange Lutheran, softball. The Oklahoma commit is so quick that steals and infield hits have been piling up by way of three years of high school softball. “Her speed is phenomenal,” coach Steve Milkos stated. “She’s a five-tool player.”
Ki’ele Ho-Ching, Long Beach Poly, softball. She was the Moore League MVP as a sophomore infielder. Her uncle, Herman, was a standout soccer participant for Poly in the Nineties.
Jailynn Robinson helped Orange Lutheran go unbeaten final season. She’s dedicated to UCLA.
(Orange Lutheran)
Jailynn Robinson, Orange Lutheran, water polo. The UCLA commit led the Lancers final season to a 31-0 report and was the Trinity League MVP.
BOYS
Brayden Burries of Eastvale Roosevelt goes up for shot in opposition to St. John Bosco’s Elzie Harrington (3).
(Nick Koza)
Brayden Burries, Eastvale Roosevelt, basketball. The 6-4 guard helped his staff attain the Southern Section Open Division championship sport final season and is certainly one of the most sought-after prospects for the class of 2025.
Brandon McCoy will get fired up after a basket for St. John Bosco. He had 28 factors in extra time win over Richmond Salesian.
(Nick Koza)
Brandon McCoy, St. John Bosco, basketball. The class of 2026 guard gained a gold medal throughout the summer time competing for the USA under-17 nationwide staff. His versatility, unselfishness and continued enchancment make him a expertise to admire.
Harvard-Westlake’s Nikolas Khamenia is 6-8 and a rising junior prospect.
(Nick Koza)
Niokayolas Khamenia, Harvard-Westlake, basketball. The 6-8 senior gained a gold medal taking part in with the under-18 nationwide staff and was MVP of the under-18 3×3 World Cup in Hungary, the place he gained one other gold medal. He additionally gained state and part titles with the Wolverines. He’s bodily, versatile and has a piece ethic second to none. He’s deciding his faculty selection amongst Gonzaga, Arizona, UCLA, North Carolina and Duke.
Tyran Stokes is 6 toes 7 and a junior basketball participant at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
Tyran Stokes, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, basketball. The 6-7 class of 2026 ahead gained a gold medal with McCoy this previous summer time. He’s moved from Napa to the San Fernando Valley with abilities so spectacular that persons are already projecting him as a future NBA participant.
Alijah Arenas of Chatsworth flies by way of the air in opposition to Washington Prep.
(Craig Weston)
Alijah Arenas, Chatsworth, basketball. The son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has returned for a 3rd season with the Chancellors. He’s the City Section’s greatest participant with offensive abilities adequate to rating 50 factors in video games if that’s what he wants to do.
Corona High’s Seth Hernandez circles the bases after hitting a two-run dwelling run in opposition to visiting Huntington Beach in a Southern Section Division 1 semifinal.
(Jerry Soifer)
Seth Hernandez, Corona, baseball. The pitcher-outfielder whose fastball touched 100 mph throughout the summer time could possibly be the No. 1, 2 or 3 choice in subsequent 12 months’s novice draft.
Jaden Soong celebrates after successful the Southern California Golf Assn. Amateur Championship at Saticoy Club in Somis on July 11, 2024.
(SCGA)
Jaden Soong, St. Francis, golf. He was the youngest ever to win the Southern California Amateur championship and performed in the U.S. Amateur championship. Only a freshman, he’ll grow to be a right away contender for the Southern Section particular person title.
Sophomore Tripp King of Loyola has elite written throughout him when it comes to lacrosse.
(Mike Horowitz)
Tripp King, Loyola, lacrosse. Only a sophomore, he was the Mission League offensive participant of the 12 months in lacrosse as a freshman. “He’s special,” coach Jimmy Borell stated.
Evan Noonan of Dana Hills wins the state title in the boys’ 3,200 meters at Buchanan High in Clovis on May 25, 2024.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Evan Noonan, Dana Hills, monitor. The state 3,200-meter champion is certainly one of the greatest distance runners in the nation. He was the Gatorade state cross-country runner of the 12 months as a junior.
Blake Fahlbusch of Loyola is a 6-foot-8 junior volleyball participant.
(Loyola)
Blake Fahlbusch, Loyola, volleyball. Injured throughout his sophomore season, the 6-8 Fahlbusch is again and prepared to dominate above the web. “If he stays healthy, he will be the top recruit in his class,” coach Mike Boehle stated.
