Mitch Stephens

By Mitch Stephens Contributor De La Salle's Damari Dean, third from left, bursts off the starting line.

Football recruiting season is in top form for elite talent in California from the Class of 2027. Of the top 30 recruits, according to 247Sports, 22 have already committed to colleges, a rather staggering amount. Also 33 of the top 50 and 52 out of the top 100. The contact May period is almost done a...

Livermore pitcher Kaci Norton sends one blazing off the mound. (Photo courtesy of Kiera Winslow/Livermore-Granada Boosters)

Sonoma Academy-Santa Rosa's Josie Hill maintains her focus en route to victory in the 800 meters at the North Coast Section Meet of Champions on Saturday in Dublin. (Mitch Stephens/For the S.F. Chronicle)

Chase Frolich belted a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extra innings and teammate Brady Simon had a three-run home run

Braden Makley of Granada pitched a one-hitter in a 3-1 win at Clayton Valley Charter on Tuesday. (Courtesy of Adam J. Clark/Livermore-Granada Boosters)

From St. Ignatius senior Ellie McCuskey-Hay's bid to earn honors in four events to two track teams trying to win the 4x100 relay, here are local athletes who could win big at the state meet.

Bishop O'Dowd's Najae Ellison was one of many athletes who benefited from John Beam's coaching. Now she'll be competing in the CIF State Championship with his advice still ringing in her ears.

The North Coast Section and Central Coast Section high school baseball and softball playoffs wrap up this weekend, with titles being decided in six divisions in both sports in both sections.

By Mitch Stephens Contributor Ellie McCuskey-Hay of St. Ignatius shows her state-championship form in the long jump, where she was first with a leap of 20 feet, 3.50 inches.