High School
Mitch Stephens

Mitch Stephens

Joined: Jun 19, 2024

Mitch Stephens is a senior editor at SBLive Sports for California, a state he's covered high school sports since 1984. He won multiple CNPA and CPSWA writing awards with the Contra Costa Times, San Francisco Chronicle and MaxPreps.com before joining the SBLive staff in 2022. He's covered the beat nationally since 2007, profiling such athletes as Derrick Henry, Paige Bueckers, Patrick Mahomes, Sabrina Ionescu, Jayson Tatum, Chiney Ogwumike, Jeremy Lin and Najee Harris as preps. You can reach him at mitch@scorebooklive.com.

Nike TOC opening day between Mitty and George Rogers Clark, Dec. 18, 2024
National

Nike Tournament of Champions Day 1 high school girls basketball scoreboard (12/18/2024)

Blowouts in top divisions for Ontario Christian, Clackamas, Bishop MacNamara; Tight wins for Purcell Marian, Mater Dei, Bullis

Mitch Stephens
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Emily Skinner leads Ridgeline (Millville, Utah) in the Nike Tournament of Champions, considered the best girls basketball tournament in the country.
National

Nike Tournament of Champions girls basketball primer: 8 of Top 25 teams in country featured in Phoenix clash

Six squads, including preseason No. 3 Ontario Christian, No. 5 Bishop McNamara and No. 6 Mitty in the top Vincent Cannizzaro Division

Mitch Stephens
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Jazzy Davidson (33) averaged more than 26 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per outing for the 24-4 Clackamas Cavaliers in 2023-24.
National

High school girls basketball National Player of the Year watchlist for 2024-25

High School on SI will name a National Player of the Year in girls basketball at the end of the 2024-25 season. Here is a list of names vying for the honor

Mitch Stephens
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Edison star players Jake Minter (left) and Julius Gillick speak on live television after the victory ceremony of the Chargers' 21-14 victory of Central in Saturday's CIF Division 1-A title game at Saddleback College.
California

California high school championship team's sprint to the finish filled with blood, sweat and push from above

Edison heroes inspired by the life, death of own personal heroes lead to Edison's thrilling last-minute victory in CIF D1-A title game

Mitch Stephens
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De La Salle quarterback Toa Faavae is flipped over by Mater Dei defense in first half when Monarchs took a 23-0 lead.
California

Box score: Mater Dei 37, De La Salle 15, CIF Open Division California high school championship

Washington-bound quarterback Dash Beierly throws for 355 yards and 3 touchdowns as Monarchs win their fifth Open Division crown and likely clinch another mythical national championship

Mitch Stephens
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Palos Verdes coach Guy Gardner holds up trophy with his star sophomore QB Ryan Rakowski looking on.
California

Box score: Palos Verdes 55, Twelve Bridges 19, CIF California Division 2-A State Bowl championship

Sophomore quarterback Ryan Rakowski throws six touchdowns, five incompletions as the Sea Kings win first state championship

Mitch Stephens
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Edison senior Julius Gillick (9) breaks tackle on way to a 14-yard second-quarter touchdown run in terrific first half against Fresno Central in CIF Division 1-A championship game at Saddleback College.
California

Last-second 54-yard TD catch, run by Jake Minter lifts Edison past Central in CIF championship: Live updates recap

Great matchup of elite running backs in Central's Brandon Smith versus Edison's Julius Gillick

Mitch Stephens
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Grant senior QB Luke Alexander threw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns in his final high school game, a wild 35-28 win over Oxnard Pacifica for the CIF Division 2-AA championship Dec. 13, 2024 at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo
California

From concussed losing quarterback to state-championship hero, Grant's Luke Alexander just tried to be great

Senior quarterback stays poised under pressure to lead the Pacers to third straight, last minute game winning drive — this one for the whole enchilada

Mitch Stephens
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The early stages of the near rumble post game after Grant's 35-28 win over Oxnard Pacifica in the CIF Division 2-AA championship game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.
California

California football championship trophy ceremony cancelled after thrown water bottle leads to near rumble

Mitch Stephens
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Lincoln players celebrate their second state title in three years at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo after winning CIF Division 1-AA title on Dec. 13, 2024
California

Box score: San Diego Lincoln 28, Pittsburg 26, California High School CIF State Division 1-AA championship

Mitch Stephens
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Grant senior QB Luke Alexander threw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns in his final high school game, a wild 35-28 win over Oxnard Pacifica for the CIF Division 2-AA championship Dec. 13, 2024 at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo

Box score, Grant Union High School 35, Oxnard Pacifica 28: CIF State 2-AA State Bowl championship

Mitch Stephens
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De La Salle's Dominic Kelley breaks free on a go-ahead and ultimately game-winning 35-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter while QB Brayden Knight signals touchdown en route to a tough 10-7 victory over Pittsburg in the CIF North Coast Section Open Division title game at Diablo Valley College on Nov. 22. | Photo: Dennis Lee
California

Police escorted, De La Salle heads to St. John Bosco to play Mater Dei

Mitch Stephens
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