Image Source: Steve Galluzzo
Key Takeaways:
- The L.A. High School Pickleball League is the first of its kind in California, founded by students Boone and Ford Casady, and Samantha Leeds and Hannah Carey.
- The league aims to spread the fastest-growing sport in America to high schools and colleges, with a coed and inclusive approach.
- The inaugural season will feature teams from six schools, with biweekly matches and a season culminating in semifinals and a league championship.
- The founders are working to establish pickleball as a school-sanctioned varsity sport, with a goal of eventual CIF recognition.
- The league’s success could pave the way for pickleball to become a true varsity sport at both the high school and college levels.
Introduction to the L.A. High School Pickleball League
The L.A. High School Pickleball League is a groundbreaking initiative that is set to revolutionize the sports landscape in California. Founded by 16-year-old twins Boone and Ford Casady, and their fellow Crossroads sophomores Samantha Leeds and Hannah Carey, the league is the first of its kind in the state. As Boone Casady noted, "My brother and I grew up playing competitive tennis and baseball… We were first introduced to pickleball earlier while we were in Mexico playing with friends and we immediately fell in love with it." The twins’ passion for pickleball, combined with the persistence and dedication of Leeds and Carey, has led to the creation of a unique and exciting opportunity for high school students to participate in a fast-growing sport.
The Founders’ Vision and Journey
The founders of the L.A. High School Pickleball League have a clear vision for the sport’s future. As Ford Casady explained, "Boone and I practice together all the time and we play against each other constantly… No matter who wins, we hug it out at the end." This camaraderie and competitive spirit are at the heart of the league’s mission. Leeds and Carey, who were introduced to pickleball in eighth grade, were instrumental in convincing their school administrators to establish pickleball as a school-sanctioned varsity sport. As Leeds recalled, "I remember leaving PE after playing pickleball, heading to soccer practice and honestly feeling kind of bored… All I wanted to do was keep playing pickleball." The girls’ enthusiasm and dedication helped to convince the school’s head, Anthony Locke, to support their proposal.
The League’s Structure and Goals
The L.A. High School Pickleball League will feature teams from six schools, including Crossroads, Brentwood, Windward, Palisades, Notre Dame, and Santa Monica Pacifica Christian. The matches will be biweekly, with all schools competing at the same shared location. The format is loosely based on high school tennis, with three doubles lines, one singles line, and "friendlies" to ensure that beginners and developing players get playing time. As Boone Casady noted, "Pickleball has the potential to become a true varsity sport at both the high school and college levels… We’re so excited to help push it forward." The league’s ultimate goal is to establish pickleball as a recognized varsity sport, with a structured season and championship tournament.
The Founders’ Achievements and Recognition
The founders of the L.A. High School Pickleball League have already achieved significant recognition for their efforts. Boone and Ford Casady are top-ranked junior players, with multiple national championships and awards to their names. As Ford Casady said, "Boone knows the part of my game to attack and I know what to do against him so we always have great matches." The twins’ success on the court is matched by their academic achievements, as they are straight-A students and play shortstop and third base on the varsity baseball team. Leeds and Carey have also received recognition for their role in establishing the league, with Leeds creating a Varsity Team Starter Kit to help other schools establish their own pickleball programs.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
The L.A. High School Pickleball League is an exciting and innovative development in the world of high school sports. As the league’s founders continue to work towards establishing pickleball as a recognized varsity sport, they are paving the way for a new generation of players to enjoy the game. With its coed and inclusive approach, the league is helping to promote a positive and supportive sports culture. As Boone Casady noted, "We wanted girls to be involved from the start — it was important to us that the league be coed and inclusive to reflect how competitive girls pickleball already is." The future of pickleball looks bright, and the L.A. High School Pickleball League is at the forefront of this exciting development.
https://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/story/2026-01-11/crossroads-students-begin-push-to-make-pickleball-varsity-sport
