MONROVIA – Nathan F. Reeves Charity Memorial High School and Howard Academy have been crowned champions of the 2025/2026 National High School Championships, following a series of high stake performances in the football and kickball finals at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex on Friday, March 27.
By: Christopher C. Walker | 0777898224 / 0886723075 | [email protected]
Nathan F. Reeves Charity Memorial clinched the football title with a decisive 3-1 victory over Grand Bassa County’s Open Bible High School, putting a capstone on a dominant tournament run.
The final drew a massive crowd to Paynesville as both sides battled for national prestige.
Despite the pressure of the big stage which included a missed penalty Ralph Weah found the back of the net to help secure the win.
Charity Memorial’s tactical resilience and attacking flair ultimately proved too much for the “Bassa Boys.”
Howard Academy Edges St. Paul in Kickball
In the kickball category, Montserrado’s Howard Academy emerged as champions after a defensive masterclass. They edged out St. Paul Episcopal Parish High School with a slim 1-0 victory in a tense final decided by a lone home run.
Despite the heartbreak of the loss, St. Paul’s Righteous Blimie took home individual honors as the kickball tournament’s MVP. An emotional Blimie received US$1,000 and a smartphone for her exceptional play throughout the series.
Financial Windfall for Winners
The 2025/2026 National High School Championship concluded with a significant financial windfall for the top-performing schools.
Both Nathan F. Reeves Charity Memorial High School (football) and Howard Academy (kickball) walked away with US$7,000 each, along with championship trophies and gold medals.
The runners-up in both categories Grand Bassa Open Bible High School in football and Sinoe County St. Paul Episcopal Parish High School in kickball did not leave empty-handed, taking home US$5,000 each for their second-place finishes.
Kollie Shines as MVP
The undisputed standout of the tournament was Alvin Kollie of Nathan F. Reeves Charity Memorial. Kollie, who also features for the local side Invincible Eleven (IE), was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after a masterclass performance throughout the competition.
Affectionately known as “Tarwoe,” Kollie finished the campaign with four goals and five assists. His nine goal-contributions were the engine behind his school’s championship success.
For his heroics, Kollie was awarded a US$1,000 cash prize, presented by Liberian strike legend and former national team star, James Salinsa Debbah. The accolade further cements Kollie’s reputation as one of the country’s most promising young prospects.
International Exposure
As the kings of the pitch, the football champions from Nathan F. Reeves Charity Memorial have also earned an international trip to compete in either Ghana or Nigeria. Organizers noted the trip is designed to bolster youth development and enrollment in schools across the country by providing students with much-needed regional exposure.
A Platform for Youth Development
Tournament organizers highlighted that all participating schools reached the finals through rigorous county and regional qualifiers, reflecting the increasing level of competition within the school system.
To facilitate the event, National High School Sports provided transportation, housing, and feeding for all participating squads.
Since its inception in 2017, the National High School Championship has evolved into a premier platform for youth empowerment, now engaging over 150 schools across the 15 counties.
Beyond the scoreboard, organizers say the initiative has directly contributed to increased school enrollment, particularly among female students in the southeastern region.
With their victories on Friday, Nathan F. Reeves Charity Memorial and Howard Academy have etched their names into the history books, reinforcing the championship’s mission of nurturing the next generation of Liberian stars.
