Junior Christina Gray has no problem helping maintain the Carson Colts women’s track and field legacy. She has won City Section championships and competed in the CIF State meet during her first two years with Carson.
Sierra Canyon senior guard Judea “Juju” Watkins was named the 2023 Naismith Girls High School Player of the Year on Friday. This is the highest honor a high school basketball player can receive.
The Open Division City Section Boys Basketball Championship came down to the wire. The Fairfax Lions worked to close a 10-point deficit to two but could not overcome the Taft Toreadors, who secured a 64-62 victory.
The Westchester Lady Comets relied on their defense to defeat the sharp-shooting Granada Hills Highlanders 51-44, winning the 2022 CIF City Section girls’ basketball Open Division Championship.
Scoring accuracy and a tough defense would give the Vaughn White Tigers girls basketball team an 69-37 edge over the Washington Prep Generals to win the Division III City Section Championship. White Tigers junior Yamileth Ferreira noted how she grew up with her teammates and how that familiarity is an asset. “It was just the journey playing with them,” Ferreira said. “I just loved every game.” The Generals struggled with turnovers early in the game while the White Tigers extended their possessions with offensive rebounds. This allowed Ferreira to lead Vaughn in a 7-2 run. Washington Prep junior guard India
Max Irving found tremendous success in water polo. His skill and talent led him to UCLA and a pro career overseas. He also competed with Team USA Men’s water polo during the Tokyo Olympics.
Richard Sherman developed from a scholar-athlete to one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. Also known for being outspoken on topics both on the field and off.
The story of Marquis “Bin Laden” Curtis is that of resilience and triumph. His talents at the quarterback position made the Crenshaw Cougars football team a competitive force in the mid 2000s. Curtis led the Cougars to their first Division I City Section title in school history.
Senior guard Eric Peacock was part of a transformative era in King/Drew boys’ basketball history. During his time there, he helped the Golden Eagles win a City Section Championship in 2018 and make their first Open Division appearance this past season.
Last spring, Frederick K.C. Price school hired Chans Smyth as head coach of the high school boys basketball team. With his passion to improve players and attention to detail, he led the Knights to the Division 3A championship game.
On April 3, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced that high school sports were canceled for the rest of the school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The order terminated all basketball state championship games. Spring sports like track and field, baseball, softball, boy’s tennis and boys’ volleyball were cut short. Senior student athletes face new challenges in the college recruitment process.
The King/Drew boys’ basketball team was a dominant force in the City Section with the help of senior Fidelis Okereke. His frontcourt presence on offense and defense made him the Coliseum League Player of the Year.
The CIF City Section Open Division Championships features part three to the storied rivalry showdown for the boys and a division newcomer challenging a former champ for the girls.
Snoop Youth Football League Alum, Jermar Jefferson, presented a competitive rushing game for the Oregon State Beavers last season. His efforts at the running back position earned him Pac-12 Freshmen Offensive Player of the Year and an All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention.
Senior track and field standout Ameer Muhammad helped the Crenshaw boys track and field team qualify for the State championship. He ran a leg for the 4×100 relay squad who had been successful throughout track season. Muhammad competed in the 100m dash, the 200m dash, and the 4x100m during the CIF State championship.