High School Sports News

Coaches like to play mind games when it comes to the state preliminary round. Any average track and field observer understands that getting into the final in the least amount of energy exerted is the focus. But what about loading a particular relay to make a point to the competition or having a kid sit on the competitor to only blow them out in the end? Belleville West was not one of the teams that sat back and toyed with the competition. Coach Paul James let his girls loose on the field and the results show them going...

Ema Boateng of Cate School (Carpinteria, Calif.) is surprised at school by former U.S. Men's National Team player Alexi Lalas with the news. SEE VIDEO

In 1971, Macon High made an improbable run to the Illinois state baseball final. Its story extends far beyond the foul lines. Here's an excerpt from Chris Ballard's One Shot At Forever.

An upset gave way to pure joy for boxer Claressa Shields. Despite suffering the first loss of her amateur career at the Women's World Boxing Championships in Qinhuangdao, China, the 17-year-old from Flint, Mich., has earned a berth to the London Olympics. Women's boxing will be making its Olympic debut as a medal sport this summer. According to the Detroit Free Press, Shields earned her spot when England's Savannah Marshall, who beat Shields earlier this week, won her semifinal bout and advanced to the finals of the middleweight division.

The kid with all the promise sat glued to the bench. His eyes were fixed upon the baseball diamond, watching his teammates play the game he had loved all his life. Gavin Cecchini never imagined his freshman year would go this poorly. Prior to high school, he was a Little League star, leading his Lake Charles, La., squad to the 2006 Little League World Series. And he helped the team to its only win there by fanning seven and collecting two hits against Columbia, Mo.

With graduation right around the corner, it’s almost time to bid adieu to the class of 2012. Before the veteran ballers flip that tassel, we’re going to bless them with some last-second love and immortalize them in the form of senior superlatives. We’ll gaze into our crystal ball to make a few predictions as well as reflect on the myriad achievements of this talented crew. These are our picks, but feel free to chime in with your selections on Twitter @espnhs.

By Cosy Burnett Cosy Burnett is a junior outside and opposite hitter at La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) who also plays for Coast Volleyball Club in San Diego, Calif. Her high school team competed in the state finals for Division II last season and she has competed at nationals five times with her club teams. In the latest installment of her blog, she shares five tips to prepare for nationals. Club volleyball season is winding down. Those 14-hour tournament days of florescent lights, deafening noise, lost water bottles and fleece blankets are coming to an end.

The following players have been added to the verbal commitment/signing list since Sunday: Class of 2014 NCAA Division I Maddie Brem (Texas), Oklahoma Tatum Norton (Ill.), Cincinnati Caitlyn Patton (Ohio), Ohio State Complete Class of 2013 Commitments Class of 2013 NCAA Division I Elyssa Anderson (Ohio), Duquesne A.J. Baraffio (Pa.), Duquesne Chelsi Bender (N.J.), Mississippi State K.K. Brady (Va.), George Mason Celeste Carlson (Ill.), Xavier Cathy Chukuka (N.