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Q&A with Hall of Famer Rod Woodson on Hall of Fame Academy, specialization and more

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Jun 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders assistant defensive backs coach Rod Woodson (center) talks with cornerbacks D.J. Hayden (25) and Brandian Ross (29) at minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-225824 ORIG FILE ID: 20150609_jla_al2_244.jpg

Raiders assistant defensive backs coach Rod Woodson instructs players during minicamp last spring (Photo:L Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)

Hall of Fame defensive back Rod Woodson will lead the coaching staff in the inaugural Pro Football Hall of Fame Academy in Canton, Ohio, in July for high school and middle school players.

Woodson, now the assistant defensive backs coach of the Oakland Raiders, will be joined by former NFL head coach Sam Wyche and other former and current NFL assistants. Woodson will work with the defensive backs but is also expected to give presentations in the classroom on leadership and character.

Organizers are expecting 200-250 high school players and another 200-250 middle school players over four-day sessions in mid-July at the new Hall of Fame Village.

RELATED: Hall of Fame Academy seems to bring science, data to high school evaluation

Before his college career at Purdue and 17 seasons in the NFL with four teams, Woodson played three sports at Snider High in Fort Wayne, Ind. He was named to the American Family Insurance ALL-USA football team as a senior on the inaugural team in 1982.

USA TODAY High School Sports spoke to Woodson about his involvement, what he’s hoping to teach and the trend of specialization for young athletes.

Q: Why did you want to be involved in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Academy and what are your goals for the camp?

A: “It’s football. Football is the best sport on this planet. Anything that Hall of Fame is getting into is worthy. The biggest thing in how we’re formatting this thing is for the kids to promote themselves. Colleges know who the five-star players and the four-star and blue chippers are. Sometimes there are guys left in between like my son. He’s a pretty good athlete, just coming out of a small school in California. Without him promoting himself at different camps, he wouldn’t have the chance to play at next level at Northern Arizona. He had to prove himself as worthy because he doesn’t fit the profile for most big-time colleges. A lot of kids in youth sports and in high schools might be out of the profile. We want to find those kids and have them come in and compete at the highest level.”

WATCH: Rod Woodson’s son Jairus breaks five tackles on wild TD reception

Q: What will be different about this camp from the other camps and clinics that are available to high school and college players?

A: “We’re taking the modern technology used in the NFL and college and bringing it to the kids, with elements like reaction testing so they can see how they stack up and the GPS system we use in the NFL. The difference in what we are doing is we can modernize the game of football and also get kids to believe in themselves, believe in their skill set and believe in who they are.

“The one thing that’s missing (in other camps) is that kids that fall out of the (typical recruiting) profile. … The best college players are sometimes the hidden jewels who develop a little bit behind in their first or second year in college. For us, we want to reach out to everybody, guys who believe in the system and believe in hard work.”

Q: Three-plus days on the field for 22 hours is a compressed amount of time to make an impact. How do you view what can done in such a short period?

A: “Each week in college football, college coaches get 20 hours with their players. We’re going to condense that into a three-day period. But we’re going to instill the same information that colleges are doing in week into three days. You want to plant a seed and that seed might not be planted in one setting. It could be by hearing the same things over and over and then the players go back and study who they are and what they were taught.”

Q: Following up on that, beyond the on-field instruction, the plan includes video breakdown and classroom work within the time allotted and then a curriculum to take home. Why is that piece significant?

A: “We’re trying to reach the players. Help on the field is why they are there, but when they leave, they always can go back to what they learned. This is part of their growth. You are trying to add on to maybe something that was left incomplete with the player.

“Sometimes we think vast periods of time are needed to influence people. Sometimes it might be one word, one paragraph, one skill, one drill to help influence a kid and continue his progressions in the right direction. That’s one of the things we can do.”

Rod Woodson was a running back/defensive back on the Snider varsity in 1981 and '82. [Via MerlinFTP Drop]

Rod Woodson was a running back/defensive back on the Snider varsity in 1981 and ’82. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports file photo)

Q: Beyond your football success, you won state titles in the hurdles and were all-conference in basketball in high school. Given your background and with 90 percent of the NFL draft picks this year being multiple sport athletes in high school, I am guessing you are not in favor of specialization.

A: “I’m a fan of multiple sports. I was born and raised in Indiana and played three sports. It helped me fire different muscles and learn different things. What happens in high school is coaches get so greedy protecting their sport, and sometimes protecting your sport hinders the development of young athletes. They use that same muscle over and over, and while there is value in muscle memory, you get to fire different muscles in different sports.

“When they do solidify who they are and go to college, playing different sports (in high school) helps their growth because they have not peaked already. I’m a believer in playing multiple sports because it helps athletes in the long run.”


VIDEO: South Florida signee Troy Baxter puts on dunk show

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Troy Baxter’s dunking ability always has been undeniable and he reinforced the point when he won the dunk contest at the American Family Insurance High School Slam and 3-Point Championships in Houston.

The Oldsmar Christian (Fla.) senior who is heading to South Florida put on another show during the BallIsLife All-American Game last weekend in Long Beach — in warmups, in the dunk contest and in the game.

See the clip below from Baller Visions, and watch some of the crowd reactions:

N.Y. prep pitcher throws no-hitter, loses game 1-0

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Elmira third baseman Matt Lovejoy tags Maine-Endwell's Chris McVannan at third base during the Express' 1-0 victory. (Photo: Andrew Legare, Star-Gazette)

Elmira third baseman Matt Lovejoy tags Maine-Endwell’s Chris McVannan at third base during the Express’ 1-0 victory. (Photo: Andrew Legare, Star-Gazette)

Maine-Endwell (N.Y.) High pitcher Terrance Sinclair had quite the day on the mound Thursday. Sinclair pitched six no-hit innings, striking out four Elmira (N.Y.) hitters.’

Unfortunately, he took the loss.

Elmira won 1-0 thanks to a leadoff walk, sacrifice, wild pitch, and RBI groundout.

“We just did the small things that put us in position to win and I was pleased with that,” Elmira coach Jason Manwaring said. “I don’t like getting no-hit, but I’ll take a win.”

Read the full story at the Star-Gazette.

Milton (Ga.) moves up a spot and West Genesee (N.Y.) leads three new teams into the Super 25 Girls Lacrosse Rankings

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Milton (Ga.) jumps to No. 4 in the latest rankings. (Photo: Paul Roth)

Survivors of their biggest scare and closest game result since last season’s finale, McDonogh had its most challenging week of the season but still returns this week as the top team in the USA Today High School Sports Super 25 girls lacrosse rankings.

RANKINGS: Super 25 Girls Lacrosse Rankings, Week 9

Winners of the of the previous 151 games entering their final regular season contest of the season, the Eagles found themselves down 8-6 at halftime. But they weren’t to be defeated, pushing the game to overtime thanks to Catie May’s third goal of the game with 2:10 left in the game. It was May who pushed to overtime, and then scored the winning goal to keep McDonogh undefeated on the year and atop the Super 25.

There are changes elsewhere in the rankings, including in the top ten, which sees Bishop Ireton back in at the No. 10 spot thanks to a 12-8 win over previous No. 4 Roland Park.

Still undefeated, Bayport-Blue Point of Long Island slides into the No 5 spot after coming in at No. 7 last week.

Agnes Irwin, ranked No. 22 last week, bounces up to No. 18 after earning three wins last week, including a 12-10 win over Moorestown, now ranked No. 10.

Further down the rankings, three new teams appear this week, as West Genesee (N.Y.), Smithtown West (N.Y.) and Manchester Valley (Md.) come in at 23, 24 and 25, respectively.

A big Super 25 rematch is on the schedule for this week as No. 3 Good Counsel will take on No. 10 Bishop Ireton on May 9 in the WCAC championship. The Falcons won the April 8 regular season meeting 9-7.

La. runner Gabrielle Jennings caps career with 44 state titles

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At this time last year, we told you about Gabrielle Jennings, the Louisiana runner who had won 37 individual state titles in her high school career.

Well, make that 44.

Jennings, from First Baptist in Slidell, La., ran her final races as a high schooler Thursday at the LHSAA state championships and added victories in the 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200 in Class C.

Jennings crossed the finish line of the 3,200 in tears, according to NOLA.com. She covered her face for a moment and then waved to the crowd.

In an amazing — and classy — gesture, the public address announcer wanted to read her accomplishments, but needed to begin before her final lap to get them all in.

“This morning whenever I woke up, I actually had a dream about the college I’m going to next year (Furman) so I was kind of pumped,” Jennings told NOLA.com. “Then I woke up and it hit me and I was like ‘Wow, this is the last time I’m going to step on this track and hear my name announced before and after I finish.’ It’s crazy.

“It’s happened so many times but it seemed surreal. I told myself earlier today I was going to run with my legs and not my heart.”

She said she it didn’t hit her this was it until she got to the starting line.

“That was the moment I realized that was it,” Jennings told NOLA.com. “I’ll never hear my named called before a race. Whenever the last lap, and he was like ‘Listen to this…” and I really didn’t want to because I was going to start crying even more. I’m growing up and this a lot of memories down in the book – the book of Jennings.”

Jennings won her first state title in the 3,200 as 10-year-old fifth grader. Among her haul are eight cross country title, eight 1,600 meter titles outdoor and eight more in the 3,200 outdoors.

Defensive end commits to Clemson with video chopping wood shirtless in forest

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Logan Rudolph, a defensive end/linebacker at Northwestern High (Rock Hill, S.C.) committed to in-state Clemson with an interesting video posted on Twitter.

The video shows Rudolph shirtless with an axe chopping at a tree.

Rudolph had nearly 40 offers but committed to the Tigers just weeks after being offered. His offer came after former Northwestern High coach Kyle Richardson joined the Clemson coaching staff. He is the Tigers’ first in-state commitment thus far in the Class of 2017.

Rudolph is ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 4 player in the state of South Carolina by the 247Sports Composite rankings. He is ranked as the No. 20 weakside defensive end in the nation.

He had offers from Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, USC and Southern California, among others.

 

Texas A&M QB signee takes shot at ex-Aggies commit Tate Martell

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Former Texas A&M quarterback recruit Tate Martell

Former Texas A&M quarterback recruit Tate Martell (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)

Another day, another unique turn in the split between quarterback recruit Tate Martell and Texas A&M.

Martell from Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) decommitted Wednesday, leading to an epic rant — and later an apology — from a Texas A&M assistant coach. Then, Martell’s younger sister was the target of vitriol from Aggies fans and his father told Rivals.com that new A&M offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone declined to speak with Tate or Al Martell during two campus visits.

The latest came Friday night when a direct message between Martell and an unknown third party was leaked and posted by Texas A&M quarterback signee Nick Starkel. In it, Martell says he could have won the starting job as a freshman at A&M “easy” and he makes a disparaging remark about Starkel from Argyle (Texas) Liberty Christian.

Starkel responds by saying, “He was talking all that talk to everyone else buy wasn’t about that action.” Starkel also notes the direct messages are not his.

The tweet was later deleted and it is unclear when the direct messages were from, because Martell’s response suggest he was still committed at the time.

Voters approve nation's most expensive high school football stadium

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Voters in McKinney, Texas, approved a $220 million bond package that includes a new football stadium and events center that will be among the most expensive in the nation.

Depending on how you look at the numbers, it could be the most expensive. Construction of the 12,000-seat stadium accounts for $50.3 million of the current bond with another $12.5 million for infrastructure coming from a 2000 bond vote.

At $62.8 million,  the total would be more than the $60 million that Allen spent for Eagle Stadium, which is an 18,000-seat stadium. It also would be more than the $62.5 million that Katy is spending for its stadium scheduled to open in 2017. Construction is ongoing.

MORE: Ground broken in Katy

The bond was approved with 63% of the vote.

District officials have said the stadium will be used for soccer games and band competitions and could host state playoff games. The adjacent events center, they say, could be home for reunions, banquets and other events. Officials also hope the new stadium could spur retail and restuarant development near the site.

 

 

 


Hill Academy, No. 1 in Super 25 boys lacrosse, finishes perfect season

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The Hill Academy (Vaughn, Ontario), ranked No. 1 in the Super 25, finished a perfect season Saturday with a 21-3 victory against The Hill School of Pottstown, Pa.

That came a day after a 15-6 victory against The Hun School of Princeton, N.J.

RELATED: Super 25 Boys Lacrosse rankings

The Hill Academy, which beat the U.S. men’s Under-19 team during an exhibition at Ohio State in the fall, played an entirely American schedule and was eligible for the Super 25.

Hill has dominated against a number of teams in the Super 25 and played a difficult schedule. That includes scoring in double figures in every game and only allowing one team to reach double figures — a 12-10 victory against La Salle in suburban Philadelphia in late April.

 

Aaron Thompson is Kevin Stallings' first recruit for 2017 at Pittsburgh

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Aaron Thompson (Photo: 247 Sports)

Aaron Thompson (Photo: 247 Sports)

New Pittsburgh coach Kevin Stallings was recruiting point guard Aaron Thompson when Stallings was the coach at Vanderbilt. Thompson from Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) had visited the Nashville campus last spring.

So when Stallings moved to Pitt, he went after Thompson again. Thompson committed over the weekend, becoming the first member of the Class of 2017 for Stallings with the Panthers.

Thompson is ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 23 point guard in the nation by Scout.com. He chose Pitt over Temple, Nebraska, Virginia Tech and SMU, among others.

“I picked Pitt because I feel like it was the best situation for me personally,” Thompson told SNY.tv. “I feel as though I can go in and make a difference just by trying to be a leader and affect the game in every way possible. I feel as though there is mutual trust between me and Coach Stallings.”

Thompson plays his summer ball with Team Takeover.

Among 7 Ohio State commits at Opening Columbus regional, meet the one who got Finals invite

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Ohio State has the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class for 2017 thus far, including two five-stars and 10 four-star prospects. Seven of the Buckeyes’ 13 commits took part in The Opening Regional event in Columbus over the weekend. Only one earned an invitation to The Final in Oregon in July, at least to this point.

That one is linebacker Antjuan Simmons, who attends Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Mich. You might remember Simmons has the recruit who trolled Michigan fans after his commitment when he posted a photo of Michigan Stadium, which is across the street from his school.

In all, about 400 players came to the regional and seven invitations were offered.

Here is Simmons talking about his invitation, Ohio State and more:

 

Best 800-meter showdown ever? Three runners go 1:48

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Three of the nation’s top 800-meter runners are all from the state of Virginia.

That set the stage for the trio to be on the same track at the same time at the 52nd annual Dogwood Track Classic in Charlottesville, Va. They might have run the best high school 800-meter race ever, as dubbed by FloTrack.

Chantilly’s Brandon McGorty, ranked No. 7 in the nation entering the race, won the race with a personal best and meet record of 1:48.58. Loudoun Valley’s Drew Hunter  — the Gatorade National Cross Country Runner of the Year — was second in 1:48.64 and Fork Union’s Alexander Lomong was third in 1:48.67.

All three broke the meet record of 1:50.80 that was set in 1981 by John Hinton (Tuntsall) and the top time in the nation this year of 1:48.70. That time was set by Michael Slagowski of Rocky Mountain (Colo.), who made it into the record book last week by eclipsing the four-minute mile.

To watch the video of the race, click here.

Lauren Cox, Crystal Dangerfield lead invitees to USA Basketball Women's U18 trials

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Lauren Cox is a Jordan Brand Classic All-American (Photo: USA Basketball)

Lauren Cox  (Photo: USA Basketball)

Gold medalists Lauren Cox (Flower Mound, Texas) and Crystal Dangerfield (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) were among 27 players invited to the USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team Trials later this month in Colorado Springs.

Cox, a Baylor signee, and Dangerfeld, a UConn signee, were members of the FIBA U19 World Championship team last summer. Cox has won three previous gold medals with USA Basketball. She won gold with the 2014 USA Women’s U17 World Championship Team, and she and Dangerfield won gold with the 2013 USA Women’s U16 National Team.

Both also were selected to the American Family Insurance ALL-USA First Team this year.

Fourteen of the 27 players have previous experience with USA Basketball.

The trials will be used to select a 12-member roster that will play in the FIBA Americas U18 Championship from July 13 to 17 in Valdivia, Chile.

The Women’s U17 World Championship Team Trials will take place at the same time and the U17 athletes are eligible to be selected for the U18 National Team.

Among the players with previous USA Basketball experience are:

  • Sidney Cooks (Saint Joseph; Kenosha, Wis.);
  • Amber Ramirez (Karen Wagner; San Antonio);
  • Megan Walker (Monacan; Chesterfield, Va.);
  • Oliana Squires (Sand Creek; Colorado Springs, Colo.);
  • Tori McCoy (St. Thomas More; Champaign, Ill.);
  • Nicole Ekhomu (Joliet Catholic Academy; Bolingbrook, Ill.);
  • Kylee Shook (Mesa Ridge; Colorado Springs);
  • Dominique Toussaint (Christ the King; Staten Island, N.Y.);
  • Nadia Fingall (Choctawhatchee; Navaree, Fla.);
  • Ruthy Hebard (West Valley; Fairbanks, Alaska);
  • Evina Westbrook (South Salem; Salem, Ore.);
  • Tyasha Harris (Heritage Christian School; Noblesville, Ind.)

The newcomers are:

  • Jeannie Boehm (New Trier; Winnetka, Ill.);
  • Chennedy Carter (Timberview; Mansfield, Texas);
  • Dana Evans (West Side; Gary, Ind.);
  • Vivian Gray (Argyle, Texas);
  • Nia Hollie (Hopkins; Brooklyn Park, Minn.);
  • Kiara Lewis (Whitney Young; Chicago);
  • Chasity Patterson (North Shore; Houston);
  • Reili Richardson (Brea Olinda; Brea, Calif.);
  • Jenna Staiti (West Forsyth; Cumming, Ga.);
  • Jasmine Walker (Jefferson Davis; Montgomery, Ala.);
  • LaDazhia Williams (Lakewood Ranch; Bradenton, Fla.);
  • Aaliyah Wilson (Muskogee, Okla.);
  • Micaela Wilson (Rayville, La.)

 

Utah Boys Soccer POY: Aidan Dayton

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The Gatorade State Boys Soccer Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.

For a list of the other Gatorade State Boys Soccer Players of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Aidan Dayton

THE BASICS

School: Maple Mountain (Spanish Fork, Utah)
Grade: Junior
Position: Defender and Midfielder
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 155 pounds

Athletic achievement: He had led the Golden Eagles to a 12-1 record at the time of his selection. Dayton scored 8 goals and passed for 14 assists through 13 games. A veteran of the Region IV Olympic Development Program and Real Salt Lake Academy, he leads a Maple Mountain defense that has recorded eight shutouts and allowed just seven goals.

Academic excellence: Dayton has maintained a 3.79 GPA.

Exemplary character: A devoted member of his church community and a peer tutor in his school, he has participated in multiple trips to assist orphanages in rural Mexico.

THE PRAISE

“Dayton is smart and creative in his offense,” said Shane Ferrin, head coach at Spanish Fork High. “He’s intuitive on defense and he brings his entire team up with his significant effort and positive attitude.”

THE FUTURE: Dayton will begin his senior year of high school this fall.

Arizona Boys Soccer POY: Josh Drack

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The Gatorade State Boys Soccer Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.

For a list of the other Gatorade State Boys Soccer Players of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Josh Drack

THE BASICS

School: Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Grade: Junior
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-foot-6
Weight: 140 pounds

Athletic achievement: He led the Huskies to a 19-2-4 record and the Division I state championship this past season. Drack scored 25 goals and passed for 21 assists, chipping in with two goals and three assists in the state tournament. In his first year playing high school soccer, Drack was the AZCentral.com Big School Player of the Year and the Arizona Interscholastic Association Player of the Year. He spent his freshman and sophomore years in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and currently lives with a host family in Portland, Ore., following his decision to train with the Portland Timbers of the Development Academy.

Academic excellence: Drack has maintained a weighted 3.52 GPA.

Exemplary character: A member of the Hamilton High Astronomy Club during his tenure as a student, he has volunteered with the Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family program and as a youth soccer coach.

THE PRAISE

“Josh Drack is a crafty individual who would always be in the right place at the right time,” said Sasha Hunter, head coach of Chandler High. “He moves off the ball very well and sneaks to the 18-yard line better than most kids I have ever seen.”

THE FUTURE: Drack will begin his senior year of high school this fall.


Florida Boys Soccer POY: Esteban Calvo

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The Gatorade State Boys Soccer Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.

For a list of the other Gatorade State Boys Soccer Players of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Esteban Calvo

THE BASICS

School: Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Defender
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 175 pounds

Athletic achievement: He led the Eagles to a 23-0 record and a No. 1 final ranking in the USA TODAY Super 25 this past season. Calvo scored five goals and passed for eight assists, anchoring a Montverde defense that allowed just four goals and recorded 19 shutouts. The MVP of the season-ending MAST Tournament, he is a member of the Costa Rican Under-20 Men’s National Team.

Academic excellence: Calvo has maintained a weighted 3.58 GPA.

Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally with the Johan Cruyff Foundation, organizing and coaching at sporting events for children from underprivileged backgrounds and with special needs.

THE PRAISE
“Esteban Calvo is very exciting and impactful,” said Jerry McCabe, head coach of Melbourne High. “He’s a very valuable asset to Montverde. Esteban plays at a level much higher than most high school players.”

THE FUTURE: Calvo has signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer on an athletic scholarship at Florida International University beginning this fall.

California Boys Soccer POY: Elliot Smith-Hastie

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The Gatorade State Boys Soccer Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.

For a list of the other Gatorade State Boys Soccer Players of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Elliot Smith-Hastie

THE BASICS

School: Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 150 pounds

Athletic achievement: He led the Cubs to a 28-4 record and both the Southern Section Division I title and the Southern California Division I Regional tournament championship this past season. Smith-Hastie scored 22 goals and passed for 17 assists, including two goals in the sectional final and a goal and assist in the regional title game. The Southern Section and California Interscholastic Federation Division I Player of the Year, he concluded his prep soccer career with 39 goals and 30 assists.

Academic excellence: Smith-Hastie has maintained a weighted 3.75 GPA.

Exemplary character: A gifted photographer, he’s had a collection of his photographs featured in a gallery at the Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles. He has also volunteered locally at a special education center and as a middle school tutor and teacher’s aide.

THE PRAISE

“Elliot Smith-Hastie is an incredible competitor,” said Todd Heil, head coach of Santa Barbara High. “We just didn’t have an answer for him. Without him, I don’t see Loyola having the season they did. He was their spark and energy on the offensive end.”

THE FUTURE: Smith-Hastie has signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer on an athletic scholarship at Boston College beginning this fall.

Texas Boys Soccer POY: Harris Partain

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The Gatorade State Boys Soccer Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.

For a list of the other Gatorade State Boys Soccer Players of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Harris Partain

THE BASICS

School: Wakeland (Frisco, Texas)
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 160 pounds

Athletic achievement: He scored a school-record 40 goals and passed for 17 assists this past season, leading the Wolverines (25-1-1) to the Class 5A state championship game. The 2016 District 9-5A MVP, Partain tallied 11 goals and two assists in seven postseason matches, including a pair of goals in a 3-2 shootout loss to Porter High in the state final. He concluded his prep soccer career with school records of 58 goals and 38 assists.

Academic excellence: Partain has maintained a weighted 3.81 GPA.

Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally at a homeless shelter and food bank in addition to serving as a youth soccer coach.

THE PRAISE

“What made Harris so dangerous was his finishing and shooting,” said Fred Kaiser, head coach of Liberty High. “He has a huge shot from 35-40 yards in. It was consistent and ridiculously accurate and powerful.”

THE FUTURE: Partain has signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer on an athletic scholarship at the University of Central Arkansas beginning this fall.

VIDEO: Elite OT Josh Myers on getting better, Ohio State and more

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Josh Myers from Miamisburg, Ohio, is among the top offensive tackle prospects in the Class of 2017 and already has given a verbal commitment to Ohio State.

But Myers understands the work continues even with his college destination determined.

Here he talks to our partners at Scout.com at The Nike Opening Regional in Columbus about his offseason and his plans for the future.

Bryant (Ark.) continues rise in Super 25 Computer baseball rankings

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Bryant (Ark.) continued its steady climb in this week’s Super 25 Computer baseball rankings.

Bryant has moved from No. 6 to No. 4 and now No. 3 over the last few weeks. The Hornets are 25-2 and locked up the 7A/6A Central Conference championship and a bye in the first round of the state tournament. Bryant will play the winner of the matchup between Rogers and Cabot on Friday.

RELATED: Full computer rankings searchable by state

Coppell (Texas) remains No. 1, followed by Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.). Deer Park (Texas) dropped a spot behind Bryant at No. 4. Blessed Trinity (Roswell, Ga.) stays at No. 5.

Next is JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) at No. 6 followed by North Davidson (Lexington, N.C.). West Orange (Winter Park, Fla.) is up two spots to No. 8.

Newcomer El Toro (Lake Forest, Calif.) is in at No. 9 and Rockledge drops a spot to No. 10. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), which was No. 8 last week, is No. 11.

Redondo (Redondo Beach, Calif.) is No. 12, followed by Brother Rice (Chicago), Mountain Ridge (Glendale, Ariz.) and Archbishop McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.).

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