USA TODAY High School Sports | USA TODAY High School Sports

Reese Nichols of No. 22 Dutch Fork has been voted the Super 25 Top Star for games of Dec. 9-10 by readers of USA TODAY High School Sports.

Nichols threw four TD passes and ran for two TDs in a 49-24 win against Fort Dorchester (North Charleston) in the 5A Lower State championship. He was 16-for-18 passing for 300 yards and ran 13 times for 141 yards.

Dutch Fork plays Saturday vs. Boiling Springs (Spartanburg) in the 5A state championship in Columbia.

Nichols is the 15th and final Super 25 Top Star of the season among weekly winners. Weekly voting did not begin until all states were in action.

The weekly winners will be part of voting for Super 25 Top Star of the Season. That voting begins Friday.

WEEKLY WINNERS

Sept. 2-3: Stokes Nihipali-Botelho, Kahuku (Hawaii)

Sept. 9-10: Noah Ellison, Trinity (Louisville)

Sept. 15-17: Kenyon Oblad, Henderson (Liberty, Nev.)

Sept. 23-24: Marlon Williams, McGill-Toolen (Mobile, Ala.)

Sept. 30-Oct. 1: Spencer Blackburn, Trinity (Louisville)

Oct. 8-9: Bubba Thompson, McGill-Toolen (Mobile, Ala.)

Oct. 13-15: Rashie Hodge, Mountain Pointe (Phoenix)

Oct. 20-22: Kekaula Kaniho, Kahuku (Hawaii)

Oct. 27-29: Sol-Jay Maiava, Kahuku (Hawaii)

Nov. 3-5: Jaylon Vickers, Bingham (South Jordan, Utah)

Nov. 10-12: Isaiah Pola-Mao, Mountain Pointe (Phoenix)

Nov. 17-19: Beau English, DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)

Nov. 25-26: Ace Williams, Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)

Dec. 2-3: Cam Akers, Clinton (Miss.)

Dec. 9-10: Reese Nichols, Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.)

LaMelo Ball casually his a half court pull up to start the Game | Watch FULL Highlights here: https://t.co/bOuqpxihzD pic.twitter.com/lZb8d9FI21

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 15, 2016

By now you’ve certainly become acquainted with the Ball brother of Chino Hills. First there was Lonzo, last season’s ALL-USA Player of the Year who is now starring at UCLA.

Then there’s LiAngelo, a UCLA commit who has piled up insane point totals.

Now here’s LaMelo, the youngest of the three, casually pulling up and burying a mid-court shot seconds after the tip. It’s interesting to hear the crowd audibly laugh when he releases the ball, then act not-so-surprised as it ripped through the net.

This came Tuesday in a 105-74 win against Crespi (Los Angeles). No. 6 Chino Hills has now won 42 straight games dating to last season.

Check out the full highlights from the game below, courtesy of Ballislife.com.

The Under Armour All-America Game is Jan. 1 in Orlando (11 a.m. ET, ESPN), featuring 115 of the nation’s top players.

Throughout the fall, USA TODAY High School Sports has provided coverage of the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance as each player received his honorary jersey at his school. As the game draws near, we will be highlighting a number of players we will be watching during practices and the Under Armour game with video highlights from our partners at Hudl.

KARY VINCENT JR.

Position: Defensive Back

School: Memorial (Port Arthur, Texas)

College: LSU

ESPN ranking: No. 2 cornerback, No. 23 overall

Click the gallery below to see who is playing in the Under Armour All-America Game:

eam USA takes the field to faceTeam Canada in the International Bowl at Maverick Stadium. Team USA shuts out Team Canada 35-0. (Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Team USA takes the field to face Team Canada in the International Bowl at Maverick Stadium in 2014. (Photo: Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports)

USA Football released the roster for the U-18 National Team for the inaugural North American Championships.

A total of 48 players from 21 states were selected to compete in the event in Orlando in January. Players arrive Jan 23 with games beginning on Jan. 28.

The event is a joint effort of USA Football and Football Canada. Canada is 6-0 against the USA at the U-18 level.

U-19 and U-18 National Teams have played at the International Bowl in previous years. That event will continue in North Arlington, Texas, with teams from other age groups from USA Football, Football Canada and the Japan American Football Association with the U-18 and U-19 teams playing in the North American Championships.

Matt Hennesy from Locust Grove (Okla.) has been named the team’s head coach.

“I’ve coached in all-star games, this is completely different,” said Hennesy. “Coaching a U.S. National Team in international competition – when you’re on that sideline with ‘USA’ on your chest, standing for the national anthem – that feeling you get is not what you experience in a regular game. We’re going to get that through to our players.”

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown	High School
Shawn Aarhus	DL	6-4	245	Benson, Minn.	Benson
Ledgen Angeli	ATH	5-9	160	Hartshorne, Okla.	Hartshorne
Alec Austin	TE	6-4	115	Colleyville, Texas	Nolan Catholic
Joe Basiura	OL	6-3	295	Lansdale, Pa.	Malvern Prep
Rashod Bateman	WR	6-2	173	Tifton, Ga.	Tift County
Will Bates	OL	6-1	280	Locust Grove, Okla.	Locust Grove
Ryan Betz	TE	6-3	250	Phoenixville, Pa.	Malvern Prep
Andrew Bostic	RB	5-9	175	Bowie, Md.	Wise
Treylen Brown	OL	6-3	280	Woodruff, S.C.	Byrnes
Daniel Cantrell	LB	6-1	220	Boise, ID	Bishop Kelly
Jaren Dirtseller	LB	6-0	215	Locust Grove, Okla.	Locust Grove
Gavin Dunnam	TE	6-3	245	Neosho, Mo.	Seneca
Ezekiel Ennis	DB	5-9	165	Millville, N.J.	Saint Augustine Prep
DeAndre Faulk	LB	6-1	220	Suffolk, Va.	Lakeland
Noah Ferguson	OL	6-3	285	Clayton, N.C.	Clayton
Jelani Foster	WR	6-2	185	Laurel, Md.	St. Vincent Pallotti
Caleb Gibson	LB	6-1	180	Locust Grove, Okla.	Locust Grove
Zachary Green	QB	6-4	210	Chesapeake, Va.	Grassfield
John Bailey Gullatt	LB	6-0	225	West Monroe, La.	West Monroe
Anfernee Gurley	DB	5-11	185	Everett, Wash.	Archbishop Murphy
Shomari Hayes	DL	6-3	270	Tempe, Ariz.	Mountain Pointe
Azizi Hearn	DB	6-2	185	Oceanside, Calif.	Oceanside
Isaiah Humphries	DB	6-0	188	Rowlett, Texas	Sachse
Andrew Johnson	DL	6-2	235	Tifton, Ga.	Tift County
Lance Jones	RB	5-8	170	Inola, Okla.	Inola
Jacob Lange	DB	6-0	170	Gurnee, Ill.	Warren Township
Reginald Lee Jr.	DL	5-11	265	Sunrise, Fla.	Miami Norland Senior
Demetrice Lofton	DL	6-4	220	Atlanta, Ga.	Creekside
Joshua Maize	DL	6-4	235	Deerfield, Ill.	Deerfield
Jalen Mayden	QB	6-3	210	Rowlett, Texas	Sachse
Dylan McDonald	LB	6-0	215	Parsippany, N.J.	Parsippany Hills
Verone McKinley III	DB	5-0	175	Carrollton, Texas	Hebron
Alec Meza	RB	5-10	190	Casa Grande, Ariz.	Vista Grande
Damon Nelson II	OL	6-2	300	Springdale, Ariz.	Har Ber
Jordon O’Hara	DL	6-5	225	Nevada City, Calif.	Nevada Union
Javonte Oliphant	DB	5-0	180	Trinity, Texas	Trinity
David Pence	OL	6-3	270	Peabody, Mass.	Peabody Veterans Memorial
Noah Quier	OL	6-3	305	Suffolk, Va.	IMG Academy (Brandenton, Fla.)
Marvin Robinson	DB	6-0	170	Prince George, Va.	Sussex Central
Hayden Rome	K/P	6-0	170	Houston, Texas	The Kinkaid School
Mohamed Sanogo	LB	6-3	224	Plano, Texas	Plano West
David Shannon	WR	6-0	170	Clermont, Fla.	East Ridge
Dillon Spalding	WR	6-2	205	Lorton, Va.	South County
Kyle Swinford	DL	6-5	245	Sacramento, Calif.	Bradshaw Christian
Noah Taylor	LB	6-5	190	Rockville, Md.	The Avalon School
Isaiah Ward	DL	6-0	280	Peoria, Ill.	Peoria Notre Dame
Maurice Washington III	WR	6-0	180	San Jose, Calif.	Oak Grove
Brandon Wilkes	OL	6-3	300	Hillard, Fla.	Hillard Middle Senior

Six finalists have been chosen for the American Family Insurance Defensive Player of the Year Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive player by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

The winner will be announced during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Awards Show in San Antonio on Jan. 6, the night before the Army Bowl.

Here are the finalists:

Baron Browning, Linebacker, Kennedale (Texas)
Tadarian Moultry, Linebacker, Jackson-Olin (Birmingham, Ala.)
Jaelan Phillips, Defensive lineman, Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.)
Aubrey Solomon, Defensive lineman, Lee County (Leesburg, Ga.)
Shaun Wade, Defensive back, Trinity Christian (Jacksonville)
Chase Young, Defensive lineman, DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.)

Six finalists have been announced for the Anthony Muñoz Lineman of the Year, which is presented to the top senior offensive and defensive lineman and chosen by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee.

The award will be presented at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Awards Show in San Antonio on Jan. 6, the night before the Army Bowl.

The award is named for the Hall of Fame offensive lineman who spent 13 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The finalists are:

Wyatt Davis, offense, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
Walker Little, offense, Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas)
Jaelan Phillips, defense, Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.)
Foster Sarrell, offense, Graham-Kapowsin (Graham, Wash.)
Aubrey Solomon, defense, Lee County (Leesburg, Ga.)
Chase Young, defense, DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)

Phillips, Solomon and Young are also finalists for the American Family Insurance Defensive Player of the Year; Phillips is also a finalists for Army Player of the Year.

10/24/16 7:12:18 PM -- La Porte, IN, U.S.A -- Brian Bowen (20) poses for a portrait. La Lumiere high school in La Porte, IN will be the Preseason Super 25 #1 team. -- Photo by Matt Cashore USA TODAY Sports Images, Gannett ORG XMIT: US 135671 La Lumiere 10/23/2016 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]

Brian Bowen of La Lumiere (Photo: Matt Cashore, USA TODAY Sports)

No. 1 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) moved to 10-0 with a dominant 85-63 victory against New Albany (Ind.) in the opening game of the GEICO ESPN High School Basketball Showcase in New Castle, Ind.

The best player on the court might have been Romeo Langford, ranked as the No. 2 player in the Class of 2018. Langford had 40 points on 15 for 38 shooting with four threes. No one else for New Albany was in double figures.

The Lakers, however, had depth that the Bulldogs (3-2) could not answer.

Brian Bowen had 27 points. Tyger Campbell had 18 and Michigan signee Jordan Poole added 16.

Bowen, who remains uncommitted, is the No. 13 player in the Class of 2017 according to ESPN. Campbell, meanwhile, is ranked No. 25 overall in the Class of 2019.

Kansas coach Bill Self and Louisville coach Rick Pitino were in attendance.

The game was tied at 11-11 before La Lumiere went on a 20-2 run for a 31-13 advantage. New Albany cut the margin to 14 early in the fourth quarter but the Lakers were comfortably ahead.

New Albany, which won the 4A state title last season and only lost once, has suffered consecutive losses. The Bulldogs lost to North Central (Indianapolis), 84-60, over the weekend.

La Lumiere next faces Oldsmar Christian (Fla.) on Dec. 21 at the Chick-fil-A Classic in Columbia, S.C.

Cartersville (Ga.) quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall player in the Class of 2018, announced his commitment to Clemson in a brief statement on Twitter on Thursday night.

Please respect my decision and no interviews pic.twitter.com/ouXRGGcqvf

— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) December 16, 2016

Lawrence has led Cartersville to back-to-back 4A state titles; the team is only the 11th in Georgia history to put together consecutive 15-0 seasons.

Lawrence, who has been the start since early in his freshman season, eclipsed 10,000 career yards this season and is 40-1 as a starter. He has thrown 118 career TDs and only 20 interceptions.

Barton Simmons of 247 has called Lawrence “as much of a sure things as we’ve seen in the recruiting industry at quarterback at an early stage.”

Here is profile of Lawrence that USA TODAY Sports did last fall

Conqueror Football being recongnized at LA County Board of Supervisors Meeting. Congratulations on a great season. pic.twitter.com/nCKJZBSlh7

— Los Altos Athletics (@LAConqAthletics) December 13, 2016

There already have been 43 coaching changes in high school football in Southern California, according to Chris Fore, who tracks the moves at EightLaces.org.

The reasons, of course, are many — some are coaches moving to other jobs, some are schools deciding to move on from their current coaches.

Perhaps the best resignation letter, though, belongs to now-former Los Altos High coach Dale Ziola, who resigned after six seasons. He built a moribund program into one that went 13-1 this season with the only loss coming in the CIF Southern Section Division 6 title game.

In 2010 — the year before Ziola’s arrival — the team went 0-10. It went 8-4 in his first season and began a steady climb back up to the position it once held among the area’s top programs.

But Ziola decided it was time, and here’s why: “My wife and kids miss me, and I miss them.”

That was the subject line of an emailed statement he sent out the day after his resignation was made public.

He began, “Because my Christmas lights are still not up … ”

And later, “I was blessed to be a part of this great chapter in the book of Los Altos Football. As the page turns…so do priorities. The responsibilities and demands on a Head Coach continue to increase, at least the only way I know how to do the job, and at the same time, my kids continue to grow and have more and more to do, which has lead to me being absent from their lives at an increasing rate.

“Unfortunately, I’m not intelligent enough to work smarter. I just work harder, which has taken more time from my family, and as I grow older, I find myself desperately wanting to rectify this problem, and be a better family man. That means less attention and energy I can give to Los Altos Football. “

At the present moment, I don’t know how to do the job any different than I already do, and it would be an injustice to the hard working kids of Los Altos to continue on as my focus shifts to more to my family.

“So, it is time for me to step away from the Head Coach role, maybe coach some where in a lesser capacity, that I may be a better father and husband, and learn from others how to be a better coach. Maybe learn how to win the big one, which is what this community wants, and the kids and school so rightfully deserve.

“Thank You Los Altos, admin, conqueror crazies, parents, and especially the student-athletes.

“It’s time to Clark Griswold my house.”

The Under Armour All-America Game is Jan. 1 in Orlando (11 a.m. ET, ESPN), featuring 115 of the nation’s top players.

TEE HIGGINS

Position: Wide Receiver

School: Oak Ridge (Tenn.)

College: Clemson

ESPN ranking: No. 2 wide receiver, No. 17 overall

Click the gallery below to see who is playing in the Under Armour All-America Game:

Three California players are among the six finalists announced Friday for the Maxwell Club’s National High School Player of the Year Award.

The winner will be announced Jan. 17 and be presented with the ward at the annual Maxwell national awards gala on March 10 in Atlantic City.

Antioch running back Najee Harris, considered the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit, leads the California contingent. The Alabama commit had 2,776 yards on 291 carries, a 9.5 yards-per-carry average, and 23 touchdowns as a senior.

Defensive back Darnay Holmes from Calabassas and defensive lineman Jaelan Phillips from Redlands East Valley also represent the Golden State.

Holmes is ranked as the No. 12 overall player, No. 2 cornerback, and No. 3 player in California for 2017. Phillips, a UCLA commit, is a productive edge defender who is the No. 5 overall, No. 1 weak-side defensive end and No. 2 player in California.

Ohio State quarterback commit Tate Martell from No. 1 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) is also a finalist. Martell, who went undefeated in his high school career, won the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year this week.

Alabama linebacker commit Dylan Moses from No. 2 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) has established himself among the best defensive players in the nation. He had 147 tackles and two sacks in 11 games.

Cam Akers, who led Clinton (Miss.) to a state championship and No. 21 ranking in the Super 25, will be a running back at the next level but was the Arrows’ quarterback. The uncommitted Akers had 3,128 passing yards and 31 passing touchdowns with 2,105 rushing yards and 34 rushing touchdowns.

All season, readers of USA TODAY High School Sports have selected the weekly winner of the Super 25 Top Star.

Now it’s time to select the Super 25 Top Star for the season.

In the gallery below, you can see the 15 players who were weekly winners.

After you look the candidates, you can vote below to determine the Super 25 Top Star. Voting continues through Thursday, Dec. 22 at noon ET.

In 30 games this season, Lake Travis and The Woodlands have lost just once. That came way back at the start of the season, a 35-28 loss by Lake Travis against Judson.

Now both teams have breezed through the Texas Class 6A Division-1 playoffs, and No. 13 Lake Travis has barely been challenged.

The Woodlands has had closer games, but perhaps a tougher road. The Highlanders took down then-No. 3 Allen to get to the title game.

So who wins Saturday?

According to USA TODAY High School Sports’ score predictor, Lake Travis comes out on top.

Score Predictor uses data from the Super 25 computer to compare two teams and plays multiple simulations to determine the most likely result.

Liberty County (Hinesville, Ga.) safety Richard LeCounte will play in the Army Bowl on NBC on Jan. 7.

The Georgia commit recently visited USA TODAY Sports studio in New York City to talk what it’s like trying to narrow down a college choice, and why he eventually chose the Bulldogs.

Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) QB Tate Martell is no stranger to the spotlight. Martell has led the Gaels to three consecutive Super 25 football national championships, and next he will play in the Army Bowl on NBC on Jan. 7.

The Ohio State commit recently visited the USA TODAY Sports studio in New York City and discussed what made him choose to play for the Buckeyes.

isaiah-wilson

Isaiah Wilson seems like one of those players who has enjoyed the entire experience of being a high school football player, from on-field struggles and progress to intense recruiting attention.

“It’s been really fun. Everyone at my school has supported me and got behind me; it’s been a lot of fun,” said Wilson, a 6-foot-7, 350-pound offensive tackle at Brooklyn’s Poly Prep.

“I’m one of those firm believers that (in recruiting) when you get to a place you know if it’s home or not. You can tell by how that place leaves a lasting experience on you. You can tell.”

Wilson must have gotten that feeling during his visit to Georgia, which is where he committed on Friday.

So excited to have this Big Dawg joining #SicEm17 Go Dawgs! pic.twitter.com/OPEqcUpAcw

— Coach Kirby Smart (@KirbySmartUGA) December 16, 2016

He initially intended to announce his decision on Christmas Day, but then moved the date up to this week after taking an official visit to Georgia last weekend. His final three were Georgia, Alabama and Michigan.

He had taken official visits to those three schools along with Alabama.

Wilson had expressed frustration earlier in the week about speculation that he had already committed to Georgia.

All the rumors of me being committed the Georgia just arent true. So for the people spewing lies i need you to chill out

— Zay Wilson (@_LayZay_) December 15, 2016

He is not an early enrollee and will sign in February so there was not a time imperative to make his announcement.

An Under Armour All-American, Wilson is rated as the nation’s No. 7 offensive tackle and at No. 32 overall for the Class of 2017.

Trevor Lawrence is considered the No. 1 player in the Class of 2018 (Photo: 247 Sports)

Not everyone is going to be happy when a top high school recruit makes his choice.

The fans of the team that he chose will be thrilled; fans of other teams won’t be.

But one of the perils of social media is when a portion of the unhappy fans feel the need to say hateful things on Twitter. And seemingly forget — or don’t care — that the person on the other end is a teenager making the biggest decision of his life to that point.

Trevor Lawrence from Cartersville (Ga.) has been ranked as the No. 1 player in the Class of 2018 since the initial rankings for the class came out. Thursday night, he announced his commitment to Clemson.

And without publishing the hateful tweets, Lawrence was prompted to respond to the reaction with this:

Sad some of you guys can't be happy for a kid making his dream happen.. Guess I have more people to prove wrong! #GoTigers!

— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) December 16, 2016

How to deal with social media was among the first pieces of a plan that Cartersville coaches put together with Lawrence and his father last fall after Lawrence was named No. 1 in the class as they outlined for USA TODAY High School Sports.

An older Lawrence has tweeted more this year than he did last season, but he is not as active as some other elite players — all of whom have to deal with the hate, even on a special day.

4/2/2016 12:00PM -- Middle Village, NY, U.S.A -- Oak Hill Academy poses for a team photo after defeating La Lumiere 62-60 in overtime to win the national championship during Dick's Sporting Goods High School Basketball Nationals at Madison Square Garden -- Photo by Andy Marlin USA TODAY Sports Images, Gannett ORG XMIT: US 134676 Dick's basketbal 4/1/2016 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]

Oak Hill Academy poses for a team photo after defeating La Lumiere 62-60 in overtime to win the DICK’S Nationals in April (Photo: Andy Marlin, USA TODAY Sports)

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Nationals is returning to New York City, officials announced, with all three days at Christ The King in Queens.

The tournament will be held March 30 to April 1, with eight top boys teams and four top girls teams. The boys quarterfinals are March 30; the boys and girls semifinals are March 31; and the title games are April 1.

In recent years, the boys and girls championship games have been played at Madison Square Garden.

All games will be shown on the ESPN family of networks – ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU – with the boys titles game on ESPN.

The field will be announced in March.

Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) won the boys title last year, breaking a three-year title run by Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.). Ribault (Jacksonville) won the girls title last year.

Dominik Fragala, from John Champe (Aldie, Va.), might have had the best night statistically of anyone anywhere on Friday night.

Fragala dropped 63 points in a 100-95 double overtime victory against Freedom (South Riding, Va.).

The senior point guard’s night included 13 two-pointers, three three-pointers and 28 made free throws on 30 attempts.

Champe is 3-1 on the season and Fragala has games of 39, 24, 33 and 63.

Here are highlights from Fragala in a preseason game against Patriot:

Lauren Cox is a freshman at Baylor, only months removed from being in high school.

But her prep accomplishments won’t soon be forgotten and Flower Mound (Texas) High made sure of that.

Cox, ranked as the No. 1 player in the Class of 2016, had her No. 44 jersey retired in a ceremony Friday night at the school.

#44 @lauren_cox15 forever a Jag & now a Lady Bear! @BaylorWBB! pic.twitter.com/oD7cg4lMKz

— PDunham ATC LAT (@FMHSCoachDunham) December 17, 2016

As a senior, Cox was named to the American Family Insurance ALL-USA First Team after averaging 21.8 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.4 blocks and 2.2 assists per game while leading team to Area playoff round and a 23-7 record.

She also has won gold medals with USA Basketball in the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 Championship, 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship and 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship.

Beyond basketball, Cox also was an all-state volleyball player and was a national AAU high jump champion when she was 11.

Thus far at Baylor, Cox is averaging 8.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 12 minutes per game. She has started one of the team’s 12 games.