North County Sports News

North County Teams Army Navy Boys and Escondido Girls win SD D3 Titles

By David A. Willauer-Contributing Writer-Mira Mesa High School-Mira Mesa, CA-Friday, February 27, 2026: After a defeat to Crawford HIgh for the 2025 San Diego Section Girls Basketball that was held at Sage Creek HIgh School in Carlsbad but in 2026, The Lady Tigers of Escondido HIgh School battled the Colts of Crawford in a first round game and won by a 69-18 score. The Lady Cougars have improved their record to 23-5 and ride a 15 game winning streak behind the 13 point performance by Quetzalli Castillo Yanez as she received the Sportsmanship Award and defeated the Lady Panthers of Vista by a 40-26 score.

Chris Williams Escondido Head Girls Basketball Coach: "Our defense didn't execute in the 2nd quarter, in the 3rd we improved our shots once when we got the ball our squad shot the ball and played well." "Quetsalli Castillo Yanez, only a freshman has helped our squad in points as she shot the ball well, she needs to take over on the court." "For us to prepare for the states we wanted to work in scrimmages, improve every game and at the end get ready for the CIF States."

Quetzalli Castillo Yamez on her 13 point performance:: "The first half it was a title game it's a different brand as we play in a different gym we have to calm down went in the locker room at halftime as our coach gave us an amazing pep talk and realized that it was a game at the day." "As I only had 3 points in the first half Coach Williams told me to keep shooting and my baskets started sinking." "We're playing together by winning a CIF title which will prepare us for the states and will prepare ourselves in practice on who we play."

For the Lady Panthers at 18-12, Isabella Mosley led with 15 points and teammate Ava Gonzalez received the Sportsmanship Award.

This is Escondido's 2nd San Diego Girls Basketball title, their first since 2024 and lost to Crawford in 2025 for the San Diego Section Girls Basketball Title.

For the Division III San Diego Boys Division III Basketball Title that was held at Mira Mesa High School the Warriors of Army Navy Academy have improved their record to 23-9 on the season, behind the 19 point performance of Ivan Marchenko and 12 by Ernest Donkoh defeated the Bulldogs of Ramona at 22-10 by a 53-37 score.

"Ivan Marchenko on his performance vs. Ramona: "Ramona is an outstanding squad with a lot of excellent shooters, as long as we run our plays and keep improving our style of basketball that is how you win games" " I have been working hard all summer to improve myself when we started playing defense I got a lot of steals."