Stellar Institutions Producing Athletic Stars
From the fields of Texas to the ice rinks and courts of Missouri, several high schools have become wellsprings of athletic excellence, producing some of the most outstanding talents in their respective sports. Here, we dive into the illustrious histories of six such schools and their notable alumni.
Chaminade Prep: A Dual Threat
Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Chaminade Prep boasts a pair of alumni who have made significant impacts in both the NHL and the NBA. Matthew Tkachuk and Jayson Tatum are shining examples of the school's ability to cultivate top-tier athletic talent.
Tatum, currently a star player for the Boston Celtics, has been a dominant force since his high school days when he averaged nearly 30 points per game. His high school career culminated in leading his team to a state championship and earning the title of 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year. Now, with a remarkable 30.1 points per game this NBA season, Tatum has again led the Celtics to the playoffs, this time reaching the NBA Finals last season, marking his fourth trip to the Eastern Conference finals.
Meanwhile, Matthew Tkachuk, who left Chaminade after ninth grade to join the U.S. National Development Team, has made waves in the NHL. Currently in his seventh season, Tkachuk has achieved the rare feat of scoring 40 goals in consecutive seasons. His contributions have propelled the Florida Panthers to the brink of their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1996.
Brentwood Academy’s Bountiful Harvest
In Tennessee, Brentwood Academy has cultivated notable talents such as Darius Garland and Jalen Ramsey. Garland made an early start, joining the varsity basketball team in eighth grade and winning four state championships. By his senior year, Garland was averaging 27.6 points per game. Now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he leads the team in assists while maintaining an average of 21.6 points per game this season.
Jalen Ramsey was a multi-sport athlete at Brentwood Academy, setting a Tennessee state record in the long jump and demonstrating his football prowess that led to a BCS national championship at Florida State. Ramsey has also secured a Super Bowl victory with the Los Angeles Rams and is a three-time All-Pro, currently playing for the Miami Dolphins.
The Highland Park Legacy
Texas’s Highland Park High prides itself on producing Matthew Stafford and Clayton Kershaw, two athletes who have reached the pinnacle of their sports. Stafford led Highland Park to a state championship in 2005 before progressing to an illustrious NFL career marked by nine 4,000-yard seasons and 333 touchdown passes. His crowning achievement came with a victory in Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams.
Clayton Kershaw had an enigmatic high school career, including a perfect season and an all-strikeout perfect game. His professional career with the Dodgers has been equally spectacular, netting him three Cy Young Awards, an MVP, and a crucial role in the Dodgers' 2020 World Series win. Kershaw is second only to Justin Verlander for most strikeouts in postseason history.
La Jolla Country Day Shines
California’s La Jolla Country Day has its own stars in Kelsey Plum and Tommy Edman. Plum eminently led her high school team to a state championship, scoring over 2,000 points and grabbing more than 600 rebounds during her tenure. As the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft, Plum has since become a pivotal part of the Las Vegas Aces, contributing significantly to their WNBA title.
Tommy Edman continues to be a versatile asset for the St. Louis Cardinals, starting at multiple positions and maintaining a career batting average of .271. He set school records in hits, runs, doubles, and stolen bases at La Jolla Country Day, highlighting his multifaceted athletic skills.
Norcross High’s Gemstones
Norcross High in Georgia has produced Diamond DeShields and Lorenzo Carter, both of whom have enjoyed impressive careers. DeShields won three state basketball titles in high school, averaging 26 points per game as a senior. Her professional career includes stints with the Chicago Sky, Phoenix Mercury, and Dallas Wings, and she was instrumental in the Sky’s 2021 championship run.
Lorenzo Carter’s standout football career at Norcross culminated in a state championship. Drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft, Carter has overcome an Achilles injury and now plays for the Atlanta Falcons with career stats including 18.5 sacks.
Allen High’s Supremacy
In Texas, Allen High has produced luminaries like Bo Nickal and Kyler Murray. Murray's high school career was marked by 43 consecutive wins and three state championships, with 186 touchdowns. His collegiate success at Oklahoma earned him the 2018 Heisman Trophy, and he was the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Murray quickly proved his worth, winning NFL Rookie of the Year and leading the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021.
Bo Nickal dominated high school wrestling with state championships in three different weight classes and only seven losses. At Penn State, he continued his prowess, securing three national titles. Now in the professional MMA scene, Nickal has won all four of his bouts, continuing to build an impressive record.
In summarizing these exceptional institutions and their stellar alumni, it’s clear that the development of young athletes in high school continues to be a crucial stepping-stone to professional success. The achievements of these athletes at the highest levels of their sports testify to the unwavering commitment and quality of these educational powerhouses.