UCLA signee TJ Leaf has had plenty of big performances at Foothills Christian (El Cajon, Calif.), and as is the case with many of them, there is a family connection.
Leaf scored 36 points and had 11 rebounds, six assists and six blocks in an 80-63 victory against Cathedral Catholic in the San Diego section championship game.
Leaf passed Chase Budinger (La Costa Canyon) and Tyrone Shelley (Crawford) on the section’s career scoring list to move into second place. With his 2,965 points, he trails only his brother, Troy. Now an assistant coach at Foothills Christian, Troy scored 3,318.
The Foothills Christian head coach is their dad, Brad.
The team begins play in the CIF State Open Division tournament Friday against Mater Dei (Santa Ana), which recently fell out of the Super 25. A victory and it’s a likely matchup with No. 1 Chino Hills and Leaf’s future UCLA teammate Lonzo Ball.
The rest of the top performances as high school sports continue around the nation:
Zoe Moser, girls’ basketball, Colton (Washington).
Colton has dominated the 1B state tournament, having won the last 8 state championships. Moser scored 59 points throughout the tournament, including 24 in the state championship.
Autumn Baumgartner, girls basketball, Sheldon, (Oregon).
Baumgartner scored 36 points to help defeat Grant 72-56 in the second round of the playoffs.
Tyler Marquardt, boys basketball, Peshtigo (Wisconsin).
The Bulldogs defeated Freedom 64-56 WIAA Division 3 regional final game, and Marquardt led the way, scoring 28 points in the win.
Khiya Mohamed, girls basketball, Imperial (California).
The senior center was instrumental in Imperial’s 62-54 win over Bueno Vista. Mohamed scored 33 points, recorded 14 rebounds and blocked 4 shots to help lead her team a San Diego Section Division II title.
Jaden Fowler, baseball, Lubbock Christian (Texas).
Fowler was dominant at the plate and on the mound last week. The two-way athlete pitched seven strong innings, struck out eight batters and allowed just two earned runs. His performance at the plate was even better, as he went 8-for-16 with 8 runs, five RBIs, two doubles and two home runs.
Jade Budhler, girls tennis, Lehigh (Florida).
Budhler had a perfect week, picking up four wins: two individual and two doubles. Budhler defeated Mariner’s Kaitlyn Bandemer 6-4, 6-2 on Friday.
Isaac Bonton, boys basketball, Parkrose (Oregon).
Parkrose upset the defending Class 5A champions Silverton in a 66-55 win and Bonton played a pivotal role. The guard scored 34 points.
Jahsyni Knight, girls basketball, Rutgers Prep (New Jersey).
The guard scored 21 points in a win over St. Rose in the South Jersey, Non-Public B championship.
Eyassu Worku, boys basketball, Los Alamitos (California).
Worku, a UC Irvine commit, scored 23 points, had six rebounds and seven assists in the CIF State Division II tournament, helping his team defeat Poway 67-58.