Amanda Knapp
California's high school basketball scene is a vibrant one, with several teams across the state participating in the sport. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) sanction high school basketball in the state. The 2024-25 season began on November 18, 2024, with the Boys California Live '24 taking place from June 28-30, 2024, at the Roebbelen Center. The 2025 CIF State Basketball Championships are also underway, with games being carried by the NFHS Network in Northern California. California is one of nine states that use a 35-second shot clock in high school basketball games, which has sparked some debate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Event | June 27-29, 2025 |
| Location | Ladera Sports Center, Southern California |
| Previous Event Location | Northern California |
| Live Stream | NFHS Network |
| Notable Participants | Sierra Canyon High School |
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What You'll Learn
California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Basketball Championships
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) is the service organization for its member schools, providing awards, honour programs, and health and safety information. The CIF has been organizing equitable athletic competitions for more than 1600 high schools in California since 1914. It is the largest youth agency in the nation, serving over 835,000 student-athletes.
The CIF State Basketball Championships took place on March 14-15, 2025, at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Twenty-four teams competed for 12 state titles. The games were broadcast live by Spectrum Networks across Spectrum SportsNet, Spectrum SportsNet LA, or Spectrum News 1. In Northern California, the NFHS Network also carried all games.
The schedule for the championships was as follows:
- 10:00 a.m. Division V Girls – Rosamond (29-7) vs. Woodland Christian (30-6)
- 12:00 p.m. Division V Boys – Diamond Ranch (23-14) vs. International School of San Francisco (24-12)
- 2:00 p.m. Division III Boys – San Gabriel Academy (20-13) vs. The King’s Academy (27-4)
- 4:00 p.m. Division III Girls – Mater Dei Catholic, Chula Vista (21-13) vs. Marin Catholic (25-11)
- 6:00 p.m. Division I Girls – Sage Hill (23-11) vs. Carondelet (29-6)
- 8:00 p.m. Division I Boys – Sierra Canyon (26-7) vs. Lincoln, Stockton (31-4)
The NFHS Network allows viewers to watch high school sports and events nationwide, live and on-demand.
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California high school basketball rankings
California's high school basketball scene is a vibrant one, with several schools vying for the top spots in the state rankings. As of February 2025, here's a look at some of the notable rankings and achievements:
Boys' Basketball
The boys' basketball teams from various schools have been showcasing their talent and competing fiercely. St. John Bosco and Sierra Canyon stand out with their recent victories over Mater Dei and Notre Dame Sherman Oaks, respectively. Tounde Yessoufou of St. Joseph's has also been making waves, breaking the state career scoring record previously held by DeMarcus Nelson. Yessoufou's achievement propelled him to be named the All-CIF 2025 NorCal Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
The Top 25 rankings for California high school boys' basketball as of February 3, 2025, featured St. Joseph's, with Yessoufou's bold prediction of victory, and St. John Bosco and Sierra Canyon's triumphs earning them spots as well. The Wolverines secured the No. 1 seed in the Mission League tournament, and Eastvale Roosevelt's Brayden Burries was ranked the No. 9 player nationally in the Class of 2025.
Girls' Basketball
While the focus has largely been on the boys' game, the girls' basketball teams have also been competing. The 2025 CIF State Basketball Championships Information mentions several girls' teams, including Mater Dei Catholic, Chula Vista, Sage Hill, and Carondelet, who are set to face off in the Division I and Division III brackets.
Notable Teams
Several schools have been mentioned across sources as notable teams in California high school basketball. These include:
- Sierra Canyon
- St. John Bosco
- Mater Dei
- Notre Dame Sherman Oaks
- St. Joseph's
- Eastvale Roosevelt
- Diamond Ranch
- International School of San Francisco
- San Gabriel Academy
- The King's Academy
- Priory
- Jesuit
- Archbishop Mitty
- Bellarmine College Prep
- Buchanan
- Canyon
- Carlsbad
- Centennial
- Chatsworth
- Chino Hills
- Christian Brothers
- Clayton Valley Charter
- Clovis North
- Clovis West
- Crespi
- Damien
- De La Salle
- Destiny Christian Academy
- Dougherty Valley
- Dublin
- Etiwanda
- Folsom
- Harvard-Westlake
- Inderkum
- Inglewood
- JSerra Catholic
- King's Academy
- La Mirada
- Lincoln
- Los Alamitos
- Mira Costa
- Modesto Christian
- Monterey Trail
- Montgomery
- Moreau Catholic
- Notre Dame (SO)
- Oakland Tech
- Olympian
- Prolific Prep
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Redondo Union
- Redwood
- Rocklin
- Roosevelt
- Salesian College Preparatory
- San Ramon Valley
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Margarita
- Sheldon
- St. Augustine
- St. Ignatius College Preparatory
- St. John Bosco
- St. Joseph
- St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy
- Torrey Pines
- Westchester
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California Live '24 for high school basketball
California Live 24 for high school basketball is an upcoming event that will take place from June 28 to June 30, 2024, at the Roebbelen Center. This will be the second year that the event is sanctioned by the CIF and NFHS, after the inaugural California Live in 2023. The 2024 event will be hosted in Northern California for the first time, with the 2023 event having taken place in Southern California.
California Live 24 promises to be an exciting showcase of the state's top high school basketball talent. The event will feature a total of 168 teams, including 17 CIF teams that went undefeated during the three-day tournament. Standout players from various teams are expected to make their mark and impact this year's boys' basketball state rankings.
The California Live 24 event is a highly anticipated highlight of the high school basketball calendar in the state. It provides an opportunity for the best young players in California to compete and display their skills. The event also serves as a platform for scouting and recruiting, with colleges and universities keeping a close eye on the participants.
The Roebbelen Center, the venue for California Live 24, is a state-of-the-art facility that offers a fantastic stage for the tournament. The center is known for its modern design, spacious courts, and top-notch amenities, ensuring a memorable experience for both the players and spectators.
With the event just around the corner, teams are making their final preparations, strategizing, and refining their skills. California Live 24 is expected to be a highly competitive and thrilling showcase of the state's basketball talent, with the potential to launch the careers of many aspiring young athletes.
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California high school basketball shot clock
The use of a shot clock in high school basketball is a controversial topic. A shot clock is a countdown timer used in several sports, including basketball, to indicate the amount of time a team can possess the ball before attempting to score a goal. The shot clock was introduced in the NBA in 1954 to increase scoring and
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), which sets the rules for high school basketball in the US, does not mandate the use of a shot clock, leaving the decision to individual state associations. Despite this, eight states, including California, have approved the use of a shot clock. The shot clock rule is designed to increase the pace of play, with the clock resetting when the ball touches the rim, goes into the basket, or when possession switches to the other team.
Those who oppose the use of a shot clock in high school basketball argue that it adds unnecessary expense and strain on resources, as it requires a dedicated shot clock operator who may need to be paid. Additionally, some coaches believe that the shot clock takes away from their coaching strategy, as they can no longer control the tempo and slow down the game.
On the other hand, supporters of the shot clock argue that it improves fan enjoyment, interest, and attendance, as it leads to more dynamic and higher-scoring games. The introduction of a shot clock can also help prepare high school players for the pace and style of play at the college and professional levels, where shot clocks are standard.
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California high school basketball players
California is one of the nine states that use a 35-second shot clock in high school basketball games. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) sanction high school basketball in the state. The 2024-25 season began on November 18, 2024, with the Boys California Live '24 taking place from June 28-30, 2024, at the Roebbelen Center. The 2025 CIF State Basketball Championships are also underway, with games being carried by the NFHS Network in Northern California.
California high school basketball is highly competitive, with various teams vying for state and national titles. The state's elite teams include St. John Bosco, Mater Dei, Sierra Canyon, and Notre Dame Sherman Oaks. The Wolverines are the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Mission League tournament, and Eastvale Roosevelt's Brayden Burries is ranked the No. 9 player nationally in the Class of 2025.
The individual achievements of standout players such as Tounde Yessoufou, Jalen Williams, and Richie Ramirez are also noteworthy. Yessoufou, a 6-6 wing from St. Joseph's, broke the California High School career scoring record, scoring 95 points in a week and pushing his career total to 3,467 points. Jalen Williams and Richie Ramirez lead the San Diego Section with 19.3 points per game and 16-3, respectively.
The state's high school basketball scene attracts attention from notable figures such as LeBron James, who has expressed his opinion on the shot clock debate in California and Ohio. James' sons, Bronny and Bryce James, play for Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles, contributing to the success of the state's basketball programs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, high school basketball will happen in California. The 2024-25 season began on November 18, 2024, and the Boys California Live ’24 took place from June 28-30, 2024.
You can watch high school basketball in California via the NFHS Network, which streams regular season games and playoffs online.
California is one of nine states that use a 35-second shot clock in high school basketball games.
