flexible schedule for tournaments.
He says that when he shows up at public courts and plays against adults who don’ t know him, they soon say,“ This kid is legit.” And, Ryder adds,“ They play harder because they don’ t like to lose to kids.”
Away from the courts: Ryder plays piano, and enjoys hiking and listening to music.
FORD AND BOONE CASADY
14, Pacific Palisades, California
These fraternal twins are filling up their family’ s home with trophies.
Ford Casady took gold in Boy ' s
Singles 16U at the Junior PPA Finals Championship in San Clemente beating his brother Boone, who took silver. Ford and Boone also won the National PPA Finals Doubles Championship. In addition, Ford claimed gold in the World Championship in Dallas, beating Boone, and the brothers also took silver together.
They are also excellent baseball players and played varsity as freshmen last season at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica.
They were temporarily displaced from their home during the wildfires that destroyed large areas of Southern California. Ford and Boone are straight-A students and want to attend Stanford, their mother Robyn’ s alma mater.
Interesting family facts: The boys’ father, Guymon, is a four-time Emmy Award-winning producer. He was one of the originating producers of the HBO hit“ Game of Thrones,” and is the executive producer of the current Apple TV + series“ Stick.” Guymon is a descendant of Daniel Boone, and Boone is named after the pioneer.
SCOUT JOHNSON
12, Naples, Florida
Scout is ranked No. 1 in 12U girls singles and doubles, and No. 2 in mixed doubles. She’ s been playing pickleball since she was 9. When she first played, she thought,“ Wow, this sport is more fun than any sport I’ ve played.” She knew immediately that it was her sport. Besides having several sponsors, Scout already has an agent.
Favorite off-court hobby: Scout plays a collectible trading card game called Disney Lorcana.“ It’ s super-fun and addicting,” she says.
Her novel name: Scout’ s parents were having difficulty deciding what to name her, and while driving to get her crib, they heard a reference on the radio to the classic novel“ To Kill a Mockingbird.” Scout is the story’ s young protagonist and narrator.
Also of note: Scout’ s father, Brandon, 41, was a professional pickleball player and took gold in this year’ s US Open in 5.0, 40 + mixed doubles.
LEAH JONES
13, Lindon, Utah
Leah started playing at 9 and drills with her mom, Allyce, at the indoor pickleball court in her house( an outdoor court will be ready soon). She is ranked No. 2 in 14U girls singles and No. 3 in doubles. Her favorite shot?“ I like my backhand roll dink,” the rising 7th grader says.
Good genes: Leah’ s mom was a star volleyball player in high school and college.
SEE NEXT PAGE �
JULY / AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 33