2025-26 Week 8B: Girls Playoffs Quarterfinals Pairings, First Round Results

It paid to be favored and to be at home as 40 teams engaged in an opening salvo of the San Diego Section’s 65th season of playoffs.

There were 117 girls teams on courts throughout San Diego and Imperial counties this season and almost 100 received playoff invitations.  There were no girls teams in 1960-61, the section’s first year, and just 28 boys squads.

The CIF computer spat out seeds in 6 divisions this week. Favorites posted a 32-8 record; home teams were 31-9.

The eight so-called upsets or seed reversals in Tuesday’s first round:

—Division I, Oceanside, No. 12, over No. 5 The Bishop’s.
—D-II, No. 11 Helix over No. 6, Bonita Vista; No. 10 Olympian over No. 7 Mt. Carmel.
—D-III, No. 10 Mission Vista over No. 7 High Tech San Diego.
—D-IV, No. 14, San Diego Southwest over No. 3 Kearny; No. 11 Rock over No. 6 The Cambridge School; No. 9 Santana over No. 8 Coronado.
—D-V, No. 11 San Ysidro over No. 6 High Tech Mesa. 

The winners will be joined in the quarterfinals beginning Thursday by Open Division clubs that were byed past the first round and the top four seeds which had byes in D-V and DV-AA .

OPEN DIVISION
QUARTERFINALS
FRIDAY, FEB. 20.
8 Victory Christian (10-15),@1 Francis Parker (18-7).
5 La Jolla Country Day (17-10), @4 Mission Hills (18-10).
6 Westview (18-8), @3 Cathedral (22-6).
7 Grossmont (21-4), @2 Mater Dei (23-2).
DIVISION I
QUARTERFINALS
FRIDAY, FEB. 20
8 Scripps Ranch (14-15), @1 Imperial (21-6).
12 Oceanside (15-9), @4 Torrey Pines (15-14).
6 El Capitan (21-8), @3 Carlsbad (15-14).
7 Montgomery (15-13), @2 Rancho Bernardo (21-7).
FIRST ROUND
TUESDAY, FEB. 17.
16 Poway (4-23) 25, @1 Imperial (21-6) 63.
15 Calexico Vincent Memorial (3-15) 30, @2 Rancho Bernardo (21-7) 76.
9 Otay Ranch (15-12) 37, @8 Scripps Ranch (14-15) 41.
13 Morse (13-16) 20, @4 Torrey Pines (15-14) 59.
10 San Marcos (10-17) 45, @7 Montgomery (15-13) 65.
12 Oceanside (15-9) 57, @5 The Bishop’s (12-13) 48.
14 Rancho Buena Vista (10-15) 21, @3 Carlsbad (15-14) 56.
11 Fallbrook (16-13) 54, @6 El Capitan (21-8) 72.

D-II
QUARTERFINALS
FRIDAY, FEB. 20.
8 Sage Creek (12-17), @1 La Costa Canyon (23-5).
5 El Centro Central (19-8), @4 San Diego (21-8).
10 Olympian (12-17), @2 Lincoln (11-12).
11 Helix (10-15), @3 Christian (19-8).
FIRST ROUND
TUESDAY, FEB. 17.
16 La Jolla (8-21) 36, @1 La Costa Canyon (23-5) 75.
9 Del Norte (10-19) 44, @8 Sage Creek (12-17) 61.
13 Escondido Charter (19-6) 36, @4 San Diego (21-8) 54.
10 Olympian (12-17) 74, @7 Mt. Carmel (15-13) 69.
12 University City (13-15) 42, @5 El Centro Central (19-8) 54.
11 Helix (10-15) 59, @6 Bonita Vista (15-11) 47.
14 Mira Mesa (13-15) 27, @3 Christian (19-7) 48.
15 Steele Canyon (18-11) 11, @2 Lincoln (11-12) 80.

D-III
QUARTERFINALS
FRIDAY, FEB. 20.
8 Eastlake (17-12), @1 Escondido (20-5).
5 Calexico (22-5), @4 Our Lady of Peace (23-6).
6 Vista (16-11), @3 Canyon Hills (24-4).
10 Mission Vista (16-10), @3 Patrick Henry (24-5).
FIRST ROUND
TUESDAY, FEB. 17.
16 Crawford (9-20) 18, @1 Escondido (20-5) 69.
15 Mount Miguel (12-15) 19, @2 Patrick Henry (24-5) 63.
12 Valley Center (17-12) 30, @5 Calexico (22-5) 71.
9 Santa Fe Christian (18-11) 46, @8 Eastlake (17-12) 55.
13 El Cajon Valley (13-15) 40, @4 Our Lady of Peace (23-6) 67.
11 Blythe Palo Verde Valley (13-9) 27, @6 Vista (16-11) 48.
10 Mission Vista (16-10) 61, @7 High Tech San Diego (19-10) 57.
14 Tri-City (9-8) 36, @3 Canyon Hills (24-4) 72.

D-IV
QUARTERFINALS
THURSDAY, FEB. 19.
9 Santana (16-12), @1 Hilltop (19-6).
5 Point Loma (16-10), @4 El Camino (11-14).
14 San Diego Southwest (8-16), @11 Rock (9-9).
7 Chula Vista (18-9), @2 Escondido Adventist (20-6).
FIRST ROUND
TUESDAY, FEB. 17.
16 Del Lago (11-16) 32, @1 Hilltop (19-6) 53.
15 Canyon Crest (7-19) 35, @2 Escondido Adventist (20-6) 50.
14 San Diego Southwest (8-16) 37, @3 Kearny (15-13) 35.
10 Holtville (14-11) 31, @7 Chula Vista (18-9) 42.
9 Santana (16-12) 57, @8 Coronado (9-13) 20.
13 Warner Springs Warner (14-6) 32, @4 El Camino (11-14) 74.
12 Mabel O’Farrell (14-11) 23, @5 Point Loma (16-10) 51.
11 Rock (9-9) 39, @6 The Cambridge School (16-4) 32.

D-V
QUARTERFINALS
THURSDAY, FEB. 19.
9 Orange Glen (11-11), @1 San Pasqual (17-10).
5 Castle Park (15-8), @4 El Centro Southwest (8-17).
11 San Ysidro (12-15), @3 Coastal (17-5).
7 Mar Vista (8-13), @2 Logan Memorial (20-8).
FIRST ROUND
TUESDAY, FEB . 17
BYES
1. San Pasqual (17-10), 2. Logan Memorial (20-8), 3. Coastal (17-5), 4. El Centro Southwest (8-17).
9 Orange Glen (11-11) 52, @8 High Tech Chula Vista (7-10) 36.
12 UCSD Preuss (7-9) 18, @5 Castle Park (15-8) 44.
10 Mission Bay (6-20) 24, @7 Mar Vista (8-13) 47.
11 San Ysidro (12-15) 45, @6 High Tech Mesa (10-7) 17.

DV-AA
QUARTERFINALS
FRIDAY, FEB. 20.
5 Bonsall (10-10), @4 Calipatria (6-14).
7 Ocean View (7-12), @2 San Diego Academy (12-7).
6 High Tech North County (6-14), @3 Foothills Christian (12-10).
8 Chula Vista Learning (4-15), @Liberty (18-1).
FIRST ROUND
TUESDAY, FEB. 17.
BYES
1. Liberty (18-1).  2. San Diego Academy (12-7).  3. Foothills Christian (12-10).  4. Calipatria (6-14).
9 Salton City West Shores (6-8) 0, @8 Chula Vista Learning (4-15) 1. Forfeit.
12 San Diego Jewish (0-12) 15, @5 Bonsall (10-10) 41.
10 Borrego Springs (5-10) 13, @7 Ocean View (7-12) 44.
11 Calexico Mission (4-11) 19, @6 High Tech North County (6-14) 49.



2025-26 Week 8A: Final Regular-Season Poll Favors Francis Parker

“Maffei Madness”, i.e., the Union-Tribune San Diego Section poll, will be on hiatus until conclusion of the playoffs.
First-place votes in parenthesis. Points on 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. Previous ranking in bold italics, if changed.
Cal-Hi Sports rankings are by Mark Tennis, the newsletter’s publisher, with contribution from statewide correspondents.
Max Preps essentially relies on individual school representatives.

TEAM RECORD POINTS PREVIOUS MAXPREPS.COM CAL-HI SPORTS
1. Francis Parker 19-9 (11) 166 1 57 (59) 27 (29)
2. Victory Christian 24-4 (4) 158 2 29 (26) NR (NR)
3. Santa Fe Christian 25-3 (3) 154 3 23 (22) 28 (30)
4. Mission Bay 20-8 128 4 55 (67) NR (NR)
5. San Marcos 22-6 116 5 48 (54) NR (NR)
6. Cathedral 19-9 86 6 87 (103) NR (NR)
7. Olympian 22-6 63 9 82 (88) NR (NR)
8. La Costa Canyon 22-6 38 7 83 (80) NR (NR)
9. Torrey Pines 16-12 34 Not Ranked 114 (134) NR (NR)
10. Christian 19-8 23 10 134 (145) NR (NR)

Others receiving votes: Mira Mesa (19-9, 20 points), Calexico (21-4), Ramona (20-9), St. Augustine (13-15), and West Hills (21-7, 2 points each), Army-Navy (19-9, 1).
VOTING PANEL (18)
John Maffei (San Diego Union-Tribune).
Aaron Burgin (Full-Time Hoops),
Steve Brand, Bodie DeSilva (Union-Tribune freelance contributors).
Todd Cassen, Ron Marquez (San Diego Section honchos).
Rick Smith (partletonsports.com).
Tom Helmantoler (Southern Conference).
Joe Evangelist, Rex Johnson (San Diego Section Advisory Committee).
Christian Pedersen (San Diego Sports Association).
Braden Surprenant (97.3-FM The Fan).
Dennis Ackerman, Steve (Biff) Dolan, John (Coach) Kentera, Adam Paul, Tom Ronco, Eric Williams (freelance contributors).



2025-26 Girls Basketball Week 8: Playoff Pairings and Records

FIRST ROUND
TUESDAY, FEB. 17.
DIVISION I
16 Poway (4-22), @1 Imperial (20-6).
15 Calexico Vincent Memorial (3-14), @2 Rancho Bernardo (21-7).
9 Otay Ranch (15-11), @8 Scripps Ranch (13-15).
13 Morse (13-15), @4 Torrey Pines (14-14).
10 San Marcos (10-16), @7 Montgomery (14-13).
12 Oceanside (14-9), @The Bishop’s (12-12).
14 Rancho Buena Vista (10-14), @3, Carlsbad (14-14).
11 Fallbrook (16-12), @6 El Capitan (20-8).
D-II
TUESDAY, FEB. 17.
16 La Jolla (8-20), @1 La Costa Canyon (22-5).
9 Del Norte (10-18), @8 Sage Creek (11-17).
13 Escondido Charter (19-6), @4 San Diego (20-8).
10 Olympian (11-17), @7 Mt. Carmel (15-12).
12 University City (13-14), @5 El Centro Central (18-8).
11 Helix (9-15), @6 Bonita Vista (15-9).
14 Mira Mesa (13-14), @3 Christian (18-7).
15 Steele Canyon (18-10), @Lincoln (10-12).
D-III
TUESDAY, FEB. 17
16 Crawford (9-19), @1 Escondido (19-5).
15 Mount Miguel (12-14), @2 Patrick Henry (23-5).
12 Valley Center (17-11), @5 Calexico (21-5).
9 Santa Fe Christian (18-10), @8 Eastlake (16-12).
13 El Cajon Valley (13-14), @4 Our Lady of Peace (22-6).
11 Blythe Palo Verde Valley (13-8), @6 Vista (15-11).
10 Mission Vista (15-10), @7 High Tech San Diego (19-9).
14 Tri-City (9-7), @3 Canyon Hills (23-4).
D-IV
TUESDAY, FEB. 17.
16 Del Lago (11-15), @1 Hilltop (18-6).
15 Canyon Crest (7-18), @2 Escondido Adventist (19-6).
14 San Diego Southwest (7-16), @3 Kearny (15-12).
10 Holtville (14-10), @7 Chula Vista (17-9).
9 Santana (15-12), @8 Coronado (9-12).
13 Warner Springs Warner (14-5), @4 El Camino (10-14).
12 Mabel O’Farrell (14-10), @5 Point Loma (15-10).
11 Rock (8-9), @6 The Cambridge (16-3).
D-V
FIRST ROUND
TUESDAY, FEB. 17.
BYES
1. San Pasqual (17-10), 2. Logan Memorial (20-8), 3. Coastal (17-5), 4. El Centro Southwest (8-17).
9 Orange Glen (10-11), @8 High Tech Chula Vista (7-9).
12 UCSD Preuss (7-8), @5 Castle Park (14-8).
10 Mission Bay (6-19), @7 Mar Vista (7-13).
11 San Ysidro (11-15), @6 High Tech Mesa (10-6).
DV-AA
FIRST ROUND
TUESDAY, FEB. 17.
BYES
1. Liberty (18-1).  2. San Diego Academy (12-7).  3. Foothills Christian (12-10).  4. Calipatria (6-14).
9 Salton City West Shores (6-7), @Chula Vista Learning (3-15).
12 San Diego Jewish (0-11), @5 Bonsall (9-10).
10 Borrego Springs (5-9), @7 Ocean View (6-12).
11 Calexico Mission (4-10), @High Tech North County (5-14).
OPEN DIVISION QUARTERFINALS
FRIDAY, FEB. 20.
8 Victory Christian (10-15), @1 Francis Parker (18-7).
5 La Jolla Country Day (17-10), @4 Mission Bay (6-19).
6 Westview (18-8), @3 Cathedral (22-6).
7 Grossmont (21-4), @2 Mater Dei (23-2).

 



2025-26 Basketball Week 7: Hats Off! Girls Regular Season League Champions

LEAGUE TEAM W-L Pct. OVERALL Pct. Avg. for Avg. vs.
Avocado Oceanside 8-2 .800 14-9 .609 45 41
Vista 8-2 .800 15-11 .577 52.3 47
Central Point Loma 7-1 .875 15-10 .600 42 35.2
City Canyon Hills 8-2 .800 23-4 .852 44.9 28.2
  Our Lady of Peace 8-2 .800 22-6 .786 52.7 35.6
  High Tech San Diego 8-2 .800 19-9 .679 46.8 39.7
Coastal La Jolla Country Day 5-1 .833 17-10 .630 54.1 42.7
North County Coastal La Costa Canyon 8-0 1.000 22-5 .815 59.3 40
Desert Calexico 9-0 1.000 21-5 .808 44.8 29.8
Eastern San Diego 9-1 .900 20-8 .714 56.3 38.8
Grossmont Hills Grossmont 6-0 1.000 21-4 .840 61.8 39.2
Grossmont Valley Steele Canyon 10-0 1.000 18-10 .643 44.4 36.23
Imperial Valley Imperial 8-0 1.000 20-6 .769 50.7 34.8
Metro Mesa Mater Dei 6-0 1.000 23-2 .920 61.1 36.54
Metro Pacific Chula Vista 8-0 1.000 17-9 .654 42.8 36.8
Metro South Bay Eastlake 7-1 .875 16-12 .571 49.7 46.6
Ocean Escondido Adventist 6-2 .750 19-6 .760 45.3 34.4
Palomar Mission Hills 9-1 .900 18-10 .643 66.9 49.6
Pacific Santa Fe Christian 7-1 .875 18-10 .643 50.6 37.4
Patriot San Diego Academy 9-1 .900 12-7 .6322 39.1 27.6
Pioneer Bonsall 5-0 1.000 9-10 .475 35.6 36.9
Sierra Liberty 7-1 .875 18-1 .947 40.4 20.9
Southern Warner Springs Warner 6-0 1.000 14-5 .737 50.1 26.9
Summitt Mabel O’Farrell 5-1 .833 14-10 .538 43.4 34
  The Cambridge 5-1 .833 16-3 .842 48.1 25.5
Sunset Orange Glen 6-0 1.000 10-11 .476 29.3 27.8
Valley Escondido 10-0 1.000 19-5 .792 46.7 36.6
Western Cathedral 7-1 .875 22-6 .786 55.9 43.4


2025-26 Basketball Week 7, Hats Off! Boys’ Regular Season League Champions

There were twenty outright league champions and four league co-champions, most of whose seasons will continue with the first round of  San Diego Section playoffs beginning Tuesday.  Pairings and division alignments are expected today.

Twelve teams were unbeaten in loop play, Victory Christian posted the overall highest won-loss percentage (.857), and San Marcos, averaging 70.4 points a game, edged Victory (69.7) for offensive average.  Warner Springs Warner opponents averaged only 37.9 points.

LEAGUE TEAM W-L Pct. OVERALL Pct. Avg. for Avg. vs.
Avocado El Camino 8-2 .800 13-14 .481 51 53.3
Central Clairemont 7-1 .875 19-9 .679 66.4 54.6
City Canyon Hills 8-2 .800 17-8 .680 59.2 52.3
Coastal Francis Parker 10-0 1.000 19-9 .679 67.9 58.7
North County Coastal Torrey Pines 6-2 .750 16-12 .571 61 57.4
  La Costa Canyon 6-2 .750 21.7 .750 61.8 57.4
Desert Imperial 9-1 .900 19-7 .731 68.8 58
Eastern Christian 10-0 1.000 20-8 .714 62.2 54.4
Grossmont Hills Helix 8-0 1.000 18-10 .643 60.1 52.1
Grossmont Valley Santana 9-1 .900 18-9 .667 58.6 49.6
  West Hills 9-1 .900 21-7 .750 61.7 54.6
Imperial Valley Calexico 8-0 1.000 21-4 .840 61.8 42.9
Metro Mesa Victory Christian 6-0 1.000 24-4 .857 69.7 52.2
Metro Pacific Mar

Vista

 10-0 1.000 15-13 .536 53.7 55.4
Metro South Bay Mater Dei 5-1 .833 15-12 .556 58.9 55.5
Ocean San Diego Jewish 7-1 .875 18-4 .818 58.2 38.9
Palomar San Marcos 10-0 1.000 22-6 .786 70.4 55.5
Pacific Del Lago 5-1 .833 21-7 .750 61.9 47.3
Patriot Liberty 9-1 .900 17-7 .708 54.8 43.7
Pioneer Health Sciences 6-0 1.000 6-6 .500 41.1 54.9
Sierra Horizon 8-2 .800 22-6 .786 57.6 39.8
  Chula Vista Learning 8-2 .800 15-8 .652 50.5 44.9
  Monarch 8-2 .800 11-7 .611 54.4 45.9
Southern Warner Springs Warner 10-0 1.000 22-6 .786 60.1 37.9
Summitt UCSD Preuss 7-1 .875 20-8 .714 54.3 46.3
  High Tech Chula Vista 7-1 .875 17-9 .654 62.8 57.3
Sunset Classical 8-0 1.000 11-17 .393 48.1 49.9
Valley Mt. Carmel 9-1 .900 16-12 .571 65.6 55.2
Western Mission Bay 7-1 .800 20-8 .714 61.8 47.6

 



2025-26 Basketball Week 6: Who’s the Best? Or, is There a Best?

What  does it say when the highest ranked San Diego Section basketball teams are Max Preps‘ state ranked 29th and Cal-Hi Sports’  22nd?  And that No. 30 is Francis Parker, which has lost nine games but leads The San Diego Union-Tribune poll with 11 of 18 first-place votes?

Basketball here is down this season, compared to the rest of California.

Torrey Pines and St. Augustine, coached by legendary war horses Mike Haupt and John Olive,  have teams with a combined record of 27 wins and 23 losses and are out of the Section top 10 poll this week.

No. 1 Parker, No. 2 Victory Christian, and No. 3 Santa Fe Christian are small, private schools with alleged advantages in resources.  Cathedral is sixth and Christian 10th. No.  4 Mission Bay is the highest ranked public school.

There’s an axiom I heard many years ago:  “Good coaching can’t win with bad players; bad coaching will lose with good players.”  I prefer to think  there are more good coaches than not but the overall team talent level here is diminished this season.

The “Maffei Madness” top 10 poll, conducted by the very sane John Maffei of the Union-Tribune:

First-place votes in parenthesis. Previous ranking in bold italics, if changed.
Cal-Hi Sports rankings are by Mark Tennis, the newsletter’s publisher, with contribution from statewide correspondents.
Max Preps essentially relies on individual school representatives.

TEAM RECORD POINTS PREVIOUS MAXPREPS.COM CAL-HI SPORTS
1. Francis Parker 17-9 (11) 172 3 59 (63) 29 (30)
2. Victory Christian 22-4 (6) 159 2 26 (27) NR (Not Ranked)
3. Santa Fe Christian 23-3 (1) 154 1 22 (21) 30 (29)
4. Mission Bay 18-8 118 5 67 (80) NR (NR)
5. San Marcos 20-6 113 4 54 (46) NR (NR)
6. Cathedral 17-9 83 6 103 (108) NR (NR)
7. La Costa Canyon 20-6 59 9 68 (71) NR (NR)
8. Mira Mesa 19-7 46 7 80 (67) NR (NR)
9. Olympian 20-6 44 8 88 (81) NR (NR)
10. Christian 17-8 17 Not Ranked 145 (164) NR (NR)

Others receiving votes: Torrey Pines (14-12, 15 points), St. Augustine (13-11, 2 points), Calexico (19-4, 2), Patrick Henry (18-8, 2), Ramona (18-8, 2),  Del Lago (20-5, 1).

VOTING PANEL (18)
John Maffei (San Diego Union-Tribune).
Aaron Burgin (Full-Time Hoops),
Steve Brand, Bodie DeSilva (Union-Tribune freelance contributors).
Todd Cassen, Ron Marquez (San Diego Section honchos).
Rick Smith (partletonsports.com).
Tom Helmantoler (Southern Conference).
Joe Evangelist, Rex Johnson (San Diego Section Advisory Committee).
Christian Pedersen (San Diego Sports Association).
Braden Surprenant (97.3-FM The Fan).
Dennis Ackerman, Steve (Biff) Dolan, John (Coach) Kentera, Adam Paul, Tom Ronco, Eric Williams (freelance contributors).