High school sports in 2023 showcased thrilling moments, lasting impressions, and exceptional athletes that will be remembered for years to come. The year was marked by historic victories, record-setting performances, viral highlights, prominent coaches, and standout players and teams.
In the academic year concluding in June, John Marshall (Richmond, Va.) in boys basketball, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) in girls basketball, Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas) in softball, and IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) in baseball claimed national championships.
As we turned the corner into the 2023-24 season, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) celebrated its second national championship in football over the past eight years, and Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) secured the volleyball title.
Top 20 high school sports stories from 2023
1. Lahainaluna Sports Return Following Devastating Fire in Maui
While life in the scenic town of Lahaina may never return to its prior state of normalcy, the student-athletes from Lahainaluna (Lahaina, Hawaii) have been pivotal in helping their community heal after the tragic fire. Less than three months after the disaster, the Lunas took the volleyball court and the football field again. They played in a sold-out return game against Baldwin (Wailuku, Hawaii) on October 21, wrapping up an abbreviated season with a 5-2 record before being eliminated in the state playoffs by eventual champions Kapa’a (Hawaii). An NFL Films documentary chronicling their journey is scheduled to air this week on FoxSports 1.
2. Incarnate Word Academy’s Remarkable Win Streak Reaches 100
As the holders of the longest active win streak in high school girls basketball, Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis, Mo.) kicked off the 2023-24 season with an impressive 100 consecutive wins. Following their triumph in the Missouri Class 6 finals that capped off the previous year, the Red Knights have added five more victories to their streak, bringing it to 105.
3. USC Basketball Becomes an Attractive Destination
Bronny James, a standout from Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), made headlines in early May when he chose to play for head coach Andy Enfield and USC, opting for a close-to-home experience. He joined another Sierra Canyon star, MaxPreps National Player of the Year Juju Watkins, who also decided to become a Trojan. Following their commitments, USC welcomed three highly-rated female players: Kayleigh Heckel from Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), Kennedy Smith from Etiwanda (Calif.), and Vivian Iwuchukwu from Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.).
4. IMG Sold for $1.25 Billion
IMG Academy, a staple in numerous MaxPreps Top 25 rankings throughout the past decade, made headlines for its sale to a private equity firm for a staggering $1.25 billion. The academy’s baseball team finished the season ranked No. 1 nationally, while its football program has been a regular in the MaxPreps Top 25 over the years, and countless basketball players have moved on to collegiate and NBA success.
5. D.J. Lagway Named MaxPreps National Football Player of the Year
D.J. Lagway from Willis (Texas) was honored as the MaxPreps National Football Player of the Year, marking the fifth time a quarterback from Texas has received this prestigious title. Lagway directed his team to its best-ever season, posting a 12-1 record. He set a Class 6A single-season state record with 58 touchdown passes, throwing for 4,631 yards with a completion rate of 72.1%. Additionally, he rushed for 975 yards and scored 15 touchdowns.
6. Mikey Williams Arrested, Pleads Guilty to Gun Charge
Mikey Williams, a prominent name in high school basketball and on social media, faced legal troubles when he was arrested in San Diego County in April, charged with five felony counts associated with firearm use. Committed to play for the University of Memphis, Williams pleaded guilty in late November to a single felony count of making criminal threats, which could be reduced to a misdemeanor depending on his compliance with conditions prior to his sentencing in August 2024. Known for his impressive scoring ability, he shocked audiences with a remarkable 77-point game as a freshman.
7. John Marshall, Montverde Claim National Basketball Titles
John Marshall (Richmond, Va.) asserted its dominance in high school basketball for the 2022-23 season by going undefeated at 28-0, showcasing impressive out-of-state victories along with a second consecutive Class 2 state championship. Meanwhile, the Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) girls affirmed their status as the top team by clinching the MaxPreps National Championship with a notable 60-54 victory at GEICO Nationals over Long Island Lutheran, concluding their campaign with a 26-1 record. This marked Montverde’s second GEICO crown, punctuated by wins against nine teams in the MaxPreps Top 25, including seven state champions.
8. The Future of USA Basketball Looks Bright
Team USA’s U16 boys and girls consistently bring home gold medals, but this year’s FIBA Americas championships stood out thanks to emerging talent. MaxPreps National Player of the Year Cameron Boozer from Columbus (Miami, Fla.) spearheaded the boys’ team to victory, earning tournament MVP with game-high statistics of 24 points and 12 rebounds in a crushing 118-38 gold medal win against Canada. The girls’ team, led by MaxPreps Co-Freshmen of the Year Jerzy Robinson and McKenna Woliczko, maintained control throughout, with Robinson named MVP after averaging 17.3 points.
9. Lake Creek, IMG Academy Shine on Diamond
After closing the previous season ranked No. 2 in the MaxPreps Top 25 softball rankings, Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas) soared to the top. Led by Florida commit Ava Brown, they secured their second consecutive Class 5A title and achieved an impressive 85-1 record over the last two seasons. In baseball, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) maintained an unblemished record of 25-0, defeating five state champions and two state runner-ups—an unparalleled feat for a past national champion, while encountering 23 postseason-bound teams throughout the season.
10. The Burley Bolt Showcases Impressive Speed
Multi-sport sensation Gatlin Bair from Burley (Idaho) demonstrated his extraordinary athleticism at the BYU Invitational, clocking a 10.25 in the 100 meters and 20.47 in the 200 meters, along with a standout 10.18 in the 100 at the Texas Relays. Bair’s prowess on the field has garnered him 27 FBS football offers from prestigious programs, including Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, and Texas.
11. Brown and Edwards Earn MaxPreps Athlete of the Year Honors
Sammy Brown from Jefferson, Georgia, showcased his athletic prowess in multiple sports, excelling on the football field, wrestling mat, and track. His outstanding achievements during the 2022-23 academic year earned him the title of MaxPreps Male Athlete of the Year. Moreover, he had a phenomenal 2023 football season, racking up 2,289 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns, while contributing 153 tackles, leading Jefferson to a 13-1 record and a spot in the AAAAA semifinals.
On the female side, Joyce Edwards of Camden, South Carolina, distinguished herself as the MaxPreps Female Athlete of the Year. A multi-sport star, she performed exceptionally in volleyball, soccer, and basketball, averaging 28.5 points per game as a MaxPreps All-American in basketball. Edwards, a South Carolina commit, has also led her volleyball team in kills and is currently making waves in her basketball season with an impressive 31.7 point average in her first nine games.
12. Jason Witten Leads Liberty Christian to a State Championship
After stepping in to coach Liberty Christian in Argyle, Texas, Dallas Cowboys legend Jason Witten turned around a struggling program that had previously finished 3-8. Now, just three years later, he has led the team to clinch a state championship. This remarkable journey included coaching his sons, junior C.J. and freshman Cooper Witten, who were key defensive players. Witten now joins his brother Shawn as a state-title winning coach, as Shawn boasts two championships from Elizabethton, Tennessee.
13. Laurden Harden: MaxPreps National Player of the Year
Lauren Harden made headlines as she took Hamilton Southeastern’s volleyball team in Fishers, Indiana, to an undefeated 33-0 record and a second consecutive Class 4A state title. The Florida commit closed the season with an impressive 371 kills, helping her team achieve a 67-match win streak extending from 2022.
14. Phoebus Makes Headlines in Virginia Postseason
In Virginia, Phoebus snagged its third straight Class 4 state title with a thrilling 21-14 win, highlighted by an 86-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Maurikus Banks to Keyontae Gray. Their earlier first-round playoff victory against Jamestown, where they outperformed with a striking 104-0 score, caught widespread attention, going viral across various media.
15. Bishop Gorman Crowned as National Football Champion
In the realm of football, Bishop Gorman from Las Vegas, Nevada, earned recognition as the nation’s top football team for the second time in eight years, finishing the season at 12-0 and winning the Nevada Class 5A Division I title. The Gaels demonstrated their dominance by finishing 2-0 against teams in the MaxPreps Top 25 and were undefeated against in-state opponents, outscoring them 376-65.
16. Charlie Woods Contributes to Benjamin School’s Golf Championship
Freshman Charlie Woods, the son of golf icon Tiger Woods, played a pivotal role in Benjamin School’s victory in the Florida Division I golf state championship. He posted a score of 154 over two rounds of 18, helping his team capture the state title by eight strokes.
17. Michael Chang Steals Spotlight on State Football Field
Highly recruited standout Michael Chang from Chaparral, Arizona, helped propel his team into the playoffs with an exceptional performance throughout the season. His versatility and talent as a quarterback and safety placed him on the MaxPreps All-American team, establishing his reputation as one of the country’s top young football stars.
18. Memphis Stars Declare for NBA Draft
A dominant figure for Memphis high school basketball, Mikey Williams announced his decision to declare for the NBA draft, following in the footsteps of other notable names from the area. His on-court finesse and prolific scoring have positioned him as a possible future NBA star.
19. Sarah Isaacson Emerges as Track and Field Sensation
In the world of track and field, Sarah Isaacson of Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.) showed immense promise in multiple events. Her national-level performance in sprints and long jumps allowed her to earn recognition as one of the top athletes for her age group.
20. Chandler Committed to Creating One of the Best Football Teams
The Chandler (Ariz.) football program remains focused on establishing its dominance, as their leadership under head coach Rick Garretson continues to grow, with state championships and national accolades under their belt. With rising stars like quarterback Kevin Lino leading the charge, the team is bound for future success.
