Top athletes to watch for the 2024-2025 high school sports season

The 2024-25 sports season will feature a group of elite girls competing in multiple sports who are so talented that they can push the elite boys to elevate their own level of excellence. Southern California is full of teenagers you will read about and see on television for years to come.

Let’s take a look at some athletes to keep an eye on for the new school year:

GIRLS

Scottlyn Antonucci, Etiwanda, football. She is the captain of the U.S. Under-16 National Team as a junior midfielder. Known as Scottie, she has a hybrid schedule so she has more time to train and travel. She has decided to continue playing high school soccer. “I love high school soccer. My best friends are on the team,” she said. She has official recruiting visits to UCLA, North Carolina and Penn State.

Jerzy Robinson, Sierra Canyon, basketball. She is considered the No. 1 recruit for the class of 2026 and has won gold medals the past two summers playing for the U.S. under-16 and under-17 national teams. She was named tournament MVP at the U-17 World Cup after averaging 20.9 points and 6.9 rebounds.

“I’ve watched her play for the U.S. basketball team and I know without a doubt that she has improved,” said coach Alicia Komaki.

When asked what she has improved on, Robinson replied, “Everything.”

Kaleena Smith, Ontario Christian, basketball. She averaged 34.9 points as a freshman. Whether she’s shooting three-pointers or driving to the basket, her offensive skills are advanced and exciting to watch. Ontario Christian could be the team that challenges Etiwanda for supremacy in girls basketball.

Grace Knox, Etiwanda, basketball. The best player on the No. 1 team in California, Knox is a 6-foot-2 center who changes the game with her defense. In July, she said she was down to four schools for her college choices: USC, Tennessee, Texas and Louisiana State.

Emily Song, Santa Margarita, golfing. Song helped the Eagles win the state championship in girls golf as a freshman. She shot 68 in the Division 1 championship match and was the Trinity League champion. Last year, at 13, she was the youngest player in the U.S. Women’s Amateur field.

Sadie Engelhardt, Ventura, track. The reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year is preparing for her senior year of cross-country and track. She holds the national record in the mile and has one of the top five scores in the 1,500. She is expected to make her season debut at the Woodbridge Cross-Country Classic on Sept. 20 at Great Park in Irvine. She also has a 4.56 grade point average and is committed to North Carolina State.

Teagan O’Dell, Santa Margarita, swimming. The future Olympian is finally a senior and continues to set records and bring home swimming trophies. She is committed to California. She competed in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke at the Olympic trials.

Kai Minor, Orange Lutheran, softball. The Oklahoma commit is so fast that steals and infield hits have piled up in three years of high school softball. “Her speed is phenomenal,” coach Steve Milkos said. “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 football player for Poly in the 1990s.

Jailynn Robinson, Orange Lutheran, water poloThe UCLA commit led the Lancers to a 31-0 record last season and was named Trinity League MVP.

BOYS

Brayden Burries, Eastvale Roosevelt, basketball. The 6-foot-3 guard helped his team reach the Southern Section Open Division championship game last season and is one of the most sought-after prospects for the class of 2025.

Brandon McCoy, St. John Bosco, basketball. The class of 2026 guard won a gold medal over the summer while competing for the U.S. Under-17 national team. His versatility, selflessness and continued improvement make him a talent to admire.

IIolas Khamenia, Harvard-Westlake, basketball. The 6-8 senior won a gold medal with the U-18 national team and was MVP of the U-18 3×3 World Cup in Hungary, where he won another gold medal. He also won state and sectional titles with the Wolverines. He is physical, versatile and has an unmatched work ethic. He is deciding on his college choice between Gonzaga, Arizona, UCLA, North Carolina and Duke.

Tyran Stokes, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, basketball. The 6-7 Class of 2026 forward won a gold medal with McCoy last summer and has moved from Napa to the San Fernando Valley with skills so impressive that people are already projecting him as a future NBA player.

Alijah Arenas, Chatsworth, basketball. The son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas is back for a third season with the Chancellors. He’s the best player in the City Section with offensive skills good enough to score 50 points a game, if that’s what he’s called upon to do.

Seth Hernandez, Corona, baseball. The pitching outfielder whose fastball topped 100 mph this summer could be selected first, second or third in next year’s amateur draft.

Jaden Soong, St. Francis, golf. He was the youngest ever to win the Southern California Amateur Championship and played in the U.S. Amateur Championship. He is only a freshman, but he is immediately becoming a contender for the Southern Section Individual Title.

Tripp King, Loyola, lacrosse. He was only a sophomore, but as a freshman he was the Mission League offensive player of the year in lacrosse. “He’s special,” coach Jimmy Borell said.

Evan Noonan, Dana Hills, track and field. The state 3200-meter champion is one of the nation’s top distance runners. He was the Gatorade state cross-country runner of the year as a junior.

Blake Fahlbusch, Loyola, volleyball. Injured during his sophomore season, the 6-8 Fahlbusch is back and ready to dominate above the net. “If he stays healthy, he’ll be the top recruit in his class,” coach Mike Boehle said.

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.