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Brentwood of Los Angeles wins Cali Live
THE WRAP: Brentwood High shows out at Cali Live 26
ROCKLIN, Calif. — They played nearly flawless basketball for three games, but Brentwood High School out of Los Angeles and their 16-year head coach Ryan Bailey emphatically believe the key to their championship in the top division of Boys Cali Live 26 was due to their clunker to start.
Perhaps due to an 8-hour travel day or even a very tough, well-coached Lincoln-Stockton squad, Brentwood lost its opener to start the massive, prestigious event 62-61 that was followed up with a “nice long film session,” Bailey said. “And film doesn’t lie.”
The truth was these Eagles were far too talented and “connected,” to lose any game in any of the four-team 44 pools that made up the 176 teams which were evaluated by more than 150 college coaches in the three-day scholastic tournament at three different sites.
And behind the rugged, skilled all-around play by Pool 7-8 MVP Ethan Hill, and prolific guard play by Akachi “AJ” Okoh and Robert “RJ” Ball, Brentwood rolled over three other Northern California powers and Pool 9 squads, Oakland Tech (66-40) and Salesian-Richmond (76-67) to reach the Sunday’s pseudo championship game against Pool 10 winner Riordan-San Francisco.
Hill, a skilled 6-foot-7, 265-pound forward/post, had 20 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, leading the Eagles to a wire-to-wire 62-50 victory at Whitney High School.
“We didn’t play connected (Friday),” said Bailey, the former UCLA player and brother of former NBA guard and current agent Toby Bailey. “I think the film session turned us all around. I think the next three games we were much more connected and interested and I am really proud of the guys for bouncing back.”
Said Hill: “We were super frustrated on Friday and had so much energy after that. We just ramped up everything the rest of the way.”
Riordan, the 2025 Northern California Open Division champions and 2026 NorCal Open finalists, were quite familiar with Hill’s game because many of them play with him on the Oakland Soldiers AAU squad.
He is the nephew of Oakland Soldiers 30-year executive director Mark Olivier.
Salesian, which won the pseudo third-place Sunday over Moreau Catholic-Kentfield, had a tough time slowing Hill during Saturday’s semifinal game.
“We just had a hard time guarding him,” Salesian coach Bill Mellis said. “He’s very tough and they’re well coached. It was a close game and down the stretch they hit a few more shots, made a few more plays and made their free throws.”
On Sunday, Riordan, a deep and athletic squad led by highly energetic 6-9 Emmanuel Ahamefule, and guards Cole White and incoming sophomore Judah Van Ewijk, fought back from a double-digit deficit to close to 46-42 on two free throws and a tough interior bucket by White with 5:36 remaining.
But Ball drilled a 3-pointer to start a 9-0 run and this one was essentially over. Max Katz added a three-pointer down the stretch and Hill contributed three free throws and a putback. Riordan, which played without highly-touted transfer Boss Mhoon (broken hand), never got within 11 down the stretch.
“We played really well yesterday to win a couple games, but today against a great team for some reason our energy was a little low,” Ahamefule said.
Which was Brentwood’s problem on Friday. Bailey offered no excuses, especially on the long trip, credited Lincoln with an excellent game plan and win.
But Bailey said when this team plays inside out and connected, it may be one of the best teams he’s coached.
“(Hill) draws so much attention and he’s such a willing passer, he’s going to make the right play,” Bailey said. “With so many good three-point shooters around him it makes it tough. And our guards are really good too. We have a lot of good pieces so you can’t just focus on one player to stop.”
Third-place game
Like Riordan the day before, Salesian got a measure of revenge on Moreau Catholic which beat both teams earlier this month at the St. Mary’s College camp. On Sunday, Salesian, behind the all-around play of NJ Gray, Asante Johnson and Juelz Richo, defeated the Mariners, 61-43.
Salesian, the defending NorCal Open champion which lost to Sierra Canyon in the state finals, lost seven seniors off that 29-4 squad including Stanford-bound Elias Obenyah, but have loads of depth and the winningest active coach in Northern California in Mellis.
Gray, a 6-2 guard who averaged more than 25 points per game at Branson-Ross last year, was terrific throughout the weekend, averaging more than 20 points per game.
“(Gray) has really done a good job fitting in with his new teammates, and they with him,” Mellis said. “On the court, he really took command of the games this weekend and showed good leadership and a desire to get everyone involved.
“Asante has really come into his own as well. He’s playing great defense, playing hard and hitting tough percentage three-pointers. He’s going to have a great year.”
More Red on Green
In the Pool 43-44 title game at the Hardwood Palace, highly-athletic 6-8 incoming senior Tommy Ambidge zigged left, drove right and flew in for a two-handed dunk just before the halftime buzzer giving his San Ramon Valley a 33-28 lead over Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills.
It set the tone for a 20-point, 10-rebound performance en route to Pool MVP honors for the red head as the Wolves won their fourth straight game with a tough 60-57 victory. Point guard Mike Rizkalli and 6-4 off guard Brett Sadur also made big plays for a San Ramon Valley team that took its lumps last year at 10-14 after winning 77 games the previous three seasons.
“I was very pleased with how the boys performed all weekend,” San Ramon Valley coach Brian Botteen said. “We felt Oak Ridge would be a good opponent and they had good offensive sets and a lot of size. Our guys are just scrappy and relentless. They continue to get better with each day and I’m very optimistic about the upcoming year with them.”
Locals make good
Christian Brothers out of Sacramento won the Pool 23-24 title with a 66-52 win over Burlingame, getting big efforts from Pool MVP Najee Banks, a 6-2 senior guard, along with fellow seniors Lewis “Joaquin” Lucero-Mattis and 6-4 wing Braeden Hennelly.
“We really moved the ball,” said Christian Brothers sixth-year coach Jermaine Brown. “Moving the ball has been the point of contention all summer so it’s important we do that and get contributions by committee.”
Having players perform big is vital because the Falcons aren’t very tall, especially after losing 6-8 freshman Jaden DeJesus-Eves, who died unexpectedly in his sleep in February. He was only 15.
His passing came exactly a year to the day after Brown suffered a stroke.
“The boys have been through a lot,” Brown said. “They’ve fought through so much adversity.”
The players and staff are still grieving, but they never hesitate to talk about Jaden, who was the team’s leading rebounder last season and fourth-leading scorer. Brown said his players often call Jaden’s mother and she attends many games and even practices. She attended Sunday’s title game.
“We break every huddle with ‘Brothers on 3 and Jaden on 6,’ “ Brown said. “His name will forever live on and be in our hearts.”
The team is planning a tournament in his honor next season.
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Pool championship game results
Pool 1-2: Southridge 88, St. Ignatius 86
Pool 3-4: Centennial 59, St. Mary’s-Albany 50
Pool 5-6: Santa Barbara 80, San Marcos 76
Pool 7-8: Bakersfield Christian 47, Monte Vista 45
Pool 9-10: Brentwood 62, Riordan 50
Pool 11-12: Liberty-Brentwood 59, Jesuit-Carmichael 41
Pool 13-14: Chaminade 70, Whitney 49
Pool 15-16: Campbell Hall 84, Mira Costa 50
Pool 17-18: Victory Christian 79, Hanford 58
Pool 19-20: Palos Verde 82, Aliso Niguel 71
Pool 21-22: Benicia 61, Edison 44
Pool 23-24: Christian Brothers 66, Burlingame 52
Pool 25-26: Carlmont 56, Casa Roble 45
Pool 27-28: California-San Ramon 70, Damonte Ranch 60
Pool 29-30: Foothill-SS 70, Freedom-Oakley 64
Pool 31-32: Merced 60, Glendor 59
Pool 33-34: Palo Alto 58, Placer 57
Pool 35-36: Murrieta Valley 67, Pleasant Valley 63
Pool 37-38: St. Francis-Mountain View 50, Campolindo 34
Pool 39-40: University Prep 58, Sacred Heart Cathedral 45
Pools 41-42: James Logan 63, Will C. Wood 48
Pool 43-44: San Ramon Valley 60, Oakridge 57
Landen Williams-Callis, Randle High
THE HOT 100: Williams-Callis, Mosely, Sampson top Houston's Athletes of the Year; photo gallery
From Gatorade Players of the Year to State Champs to new national record-holders, VYPE is proud to unveil the 2026 VYPE Hot 100.
The girls Fab 50 was launched last week, so now it’s time for the boys.
The primary factor in determining the rankings was their performance during the 2025-26 school year. Additional consideration was given to multi-sport athletes, college commitments, national recruiting status and overall accomplishments at the district, regional, state and national levels.
The result is a collection of the area's most dynamic and accomplished athletes — competitors who have proven themselves on the biggest stages in 2025-26.
So here are the Top 50 Boys Athletes for the 2025-26 season.
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TOP 50
No. 1 Landen Williams-Callis, Randle, Football and Track
Texas Gatorade Player of the Year; VYPE POY
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No. 2 Alvin Mosely, Crawford, Football and Basketball
VYPE Basketball POY Finalist; First-Team Football
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No. 3 CJ Sampson, Tomball, Baseball
2X State Champion, State MVP (Texas A&M-signee)
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No. 4 Jermaine Bishop Jr., Willis, Football and Basketball
All-time leading WR in Houston HS Football; UT-signee
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No. 5 Blake Hamilton, Tompkins, Football and Track
The Fastest Man in Houston? TD Club of Finalist
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No. 6 Keisean Henderson, Legacy SSS, Football
No. 1 QB in the Country, UH-signee
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No. 7 Reese Alston, Second Baptist School, Basketball
2X TAPPS State Champion; Guy V. Lewis Winner
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No. 8 Grant Sperandio, Memorial, Football and Baseball
Star QB, Texas-commit on the Mound; State Finalist
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No. 9 John Hebert, Strake Jesuit, Football
4th All-Time Yardage for RBs in Houston (UH-signee)
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No. 10 Dillon Mitchell, CE King, Football and Track
Fastest Man in Nation, Team’s Top WR
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No. 11 Andrew Jones, Klein Collins, Track
Won State Gold in Both Events, Back to Back
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No. 12 Cardae Mack, Atascocita, Football
Massive Career for Eagles, Arizona State-signee
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No. 13 Parker Glenn, Cain, Soccer
2X State Champ, District MVP
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No. 14 Isaiah Santos, Seven Lakes, Basketball
VYPE Public School Player of Year; Regional Finals
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No. 15 Micah Tennison, Oak Ridge, Swim
Two Golds at State, Texas A&M-signee
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No. 16 JD Wallace, Yates, Football, Basketball and Track
All-District Football; Basketball; Track (UTEP-signee)
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No. 17 Xavier Muhammad, South Houston, Football, Basketball and Track
Major DI Football, All-District Basketball (Michigan-commit
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No. 18 Jaylen Addai, Shadow Creek, Football, Basketball and Track
The Future of Shadow Creek.
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No. 19 Colton Coney, Clear Creek, Water Polo
State MVP; The State’s Top Player
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No. 20 Sean Perez, Humble, Wrestling
Best Pound for Pound Wrestler in H-Town; State Champion
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No. 21 TK Gaines, Waller, Football and Baseball
2x Baseball USA Gold; Unanimous Football All-District QB
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No. 22 Carson White, Iowa Colony, Football, Baseball and Track
Junior Had Huge Year. One of Top QBs, Starting CF, Relays in Track (OSU-commit)
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No. 23 Adam Boyd, Atascocita, Basketball
MVP of District; Led Team to State Semis (La.Tech-signee)
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No. 24 Peter Dorsey, Wheatley, Football and Basketball
D1 Defensive End; Led Wildcats to State Semis in Hoops
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No. 25 Kosi Okpala, Mayde Creek, Football
TD Club Defensive POY; Dominant Hitter (UT-signee)
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No. 26 Wayne Shanks, Kinkaid, Football and Track
Led Falcons to SPC Title… again (Arizona-commit)
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No. 27 Landon Veal, Houston Christian, Basketball
Star on SPC Champs; High Major Hooper
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No. 28 Miguel Becerra, College Park, Soccer
School Made History Winning State Title
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No. 29 Marcus Cantu, Lutheran South, Baseball
Helped Lead Pioneers to Another TAPPS Title (Coastal Carolina-signee)
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No. 30 Kaleb Maryland, North Shore, Football
Won State as a Senior at QB (Utah State-signee)
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No. 31 CJ Toney, Atascocita, Football and Baseball
1,400 Yards Offense; Centerfielder for Regional Semifinalist (Wash State-signee)
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No. 32 Catcher Hopkins, Tomball Baseball
2X State Champ; Heartbeat of Tomball; (Texas A&M-signee)
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No. 33 Lincoln Frazier, Willis, Football
Led State in Passing as a Freshman
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No. 34 Damon Miles, Clear Lake, Basketball
Led State in Texas in Scoring
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No. 35 Joshua Shelton, Pearland, Track
Won the 400 Meters at State
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No. 36 Za’Qwaun Nunn, North Shore, Football, Track, Wrestling
District MVP on the State Champion; Regional Track
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No. 37 Logan Milsaps, College Park, Wrestling
State Champion. One of Nation’s Best Wrestlers
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No. 38 Miles Young, Episcopal, Baseball
SPC Champ and Perfect Game Rated 10 of 10 (Georgia-signee)
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No. 39 Nicholas Ferguson, Heights, Track
State Camp in the 800 Meters
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No. 40 Noah Ballard, Klein Cain, Football and Soccer
State MVP for Soccer; Won State; Kicks Field Goals too
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No. 41 Obinna Umeh, St. Thomas, Football
VYPE Private School Player of the Year (Duke-signee)
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No. 42 Jack Smejkal, The Woodlands, Baseball
Second Team All-State; Ace Pitcher (Texas-signee)
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No. 43 Landon Brown, Iowa Colony, Baseball
Led Team to Historic Playoff Run; 3rd Team All-State (Miss. State-Signee)
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No. 44 Joseph Credit, Pearland, Football
District Defensive POY; TD Club Finalist (Kansas-signee)
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No. 45 Camden Gibson, College Park, Track
Tremendous in XC; Won 1600 at State Class 6A (Tulsa-signee)
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No. 46 Ashten Ballew, Katy, Baseball
District Offensive POY, Led Katy to Regional Finals
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No. 47 Alim Olajuwon, Episcopal, Basketball
All-SPC, ESPN 4-Star, SPC Finalist
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No. 48 Griffin Saacke, Bridgeland, Cross Country and Track
Houston’s Top Long Distance Runner
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No. 49 Peyton Trummell, Lake Creek, Baseball
Led Lions to State Finals; All-Time Leading HR Man at LC
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No. 50 Pierce Ritchey, St. John’s, Wrestling
VYPE Private School Wrestler of the Year
































