San Diego, CA

Carlsbad beats Cathedral Catholic, advances to Open Division final

Published

1 year ago

February 26, 2025

Carlsbad beats Cathedral Catholic, advances to Open Division final

CARLSBAD — It’s a rematch.

For the second season in a row, Carlsbad High School and Montgomery High School will play for the San Diego Section Open Division boys basketball championship.

But the road to Friday’s title game at Frontwave Arena was anything but easy for Carlsbad, the defending champions.

In a game that was tied six times and the lead changed hand eight, the Lancers used a 7-0 run midway through the fourth quarter to finally take control en route to a 73-61 win over Cathedral Catholic before a full house at Carlsbad.

It was the eighth win in a row for the No. 2-seeded Lancers (25-5), who haven’t lost since a 69-68 overtime decision at Torrey Pines on Jan. 31.

“Going back to the championship game means everything,” said Carlsbad senior Jake Hall, who finished with 22 points and had to push his career total to 3,045, second all-time in the San Diego Section.

“Playing Montgomery again is what everyone wanted.”

The Lancers got a career-high 24 points from 3-sport star Jett Kenady, who has signed to play baseball at Cal. Hall is headed to UC San Diego.

“For sure, we knew Cathedral was tough,” Kenady said. “We knew it was going to be tough. But we just do what we do.”

Cathedral Catholic led 19-17 at the end of the first quarter with Steven Evans-Glynn and Patrick O’Brien both scoring six.

Hall had eight points for Carlsbad, but was called for his second foul midway through the quarter and played the rest of the half with two fouls.

Carlsbad got eight points from Kenady in the second quarter and led 33-31 at the break. Roman Payne, a 7-foot volleyball player, who is bound for Hawaii, played his most extended minutes and had six rebounds.

Max Meza hit three straight 3-pointers to keep Cathedral Catholic in the game.

The score was tied five times and the lead changed hands eight times in the first 16 minutes.

“Roman gave us some great minutes,” said Carlsbad coach Clark Allard. “We were in a 2-3 zone and did a great job.”

Cathedral Catholic (20-10) cut Carlsbad’s lead to six with 1:40 to play, but the Dons could get no closer.

Jordan Garner finished with 16 points and eight rebounds for Carlsbad while Hall had 10 rebounds.

Evans-Glynn led the Dons with 18 points and had eight rebounds. O’Brien added 14 points and nine rebounds. Meza finished with 10 points.

Carlsbad is 140-47 since its last losing season in 2017-18. The Lancers are 94-30 in Hall’s four seasons, and 80-20 the last three seasons. The Lancers have beaten Santa Ana Mater Dei, ranked No. 29 in the state; Los Alamitos, ranked No. 16 in the state; and Georgetown Prep, ranked No. 9 in Maryland.

Two of the team’s losses are to Father Judge, ranked No. 1 in Philadelphia, and JSerra, ranked No. 18 in California.

Originally Published: February 25, 2025 at 8:44 PM PST

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San Diego, CA

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

Published

8 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

San Diego County is known for having wet, cold weather in February. But it had numerous hot spells this year. And when the month ended on Saturday a high pressure system produced heat that broke or tied temperature records in nine communities from the desert to the sea, the National Weather Service said.

The most notable temperature occurred in Borrego Springs, which reached 99, five degrees higher than the previous record for Feb. 28, set in 1986. The 99 reading is also the highest temperature ever recorded in Borrego in February.

Escondido reached 95, tying a record set in 1901.

El Cajon reached 92, three degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Ramona topped out at 88, five degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Alpine hit 88, four degrees higher the record set in 1986.

Campo reached 87, four degrees higher than the record set in 1999.

Vista hit 86, four degrees higher than the record set in 2020.

Chula Vista reached 84, one degree higher than the record set in 2020.

Lake Cuyamaca rose to 76, four degrees higher than the record set in 1986.

Forecasters say the weather is not likely to broadly produce new highs on Sunday. Cooler air is moving to the coast, and on Monday, San Diego’s high will only reach 67, a degree above normal.

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San Diego, CA

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

Published

20 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

OCEANSIDE — The Frontwave Arena scoreboard showed 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Up 16, Francis Parker’s win over Westview High School for the CIF San Diego Section Open Division girls basketball championship was secure.

“No, no, no!” Parker head coach Courtney Clements screamed to freshman guard Jordan Brown, telling her there was no need to score.

So Brown walked the ball up the floor, from the backcourt, across midcourt, a 1,000-watt smile etched across her face.

With no Wolverines defending her, Brown dribbled from side to side across the logo. Then, a fraction of a moment before the final buzzer sounded, Brown flung the basketball high toward the rafters, then was engulfed by teammates.

The job was complete. Parker’s first Open Division title in program history was secure, the final reading 66-50 on Saturday night.

Of those final seconds, said Brown, who scored 23 points. “It was a surreal moment, knowing we worked for this all year long. It’s amazing.”

One reason it was amazing was because the top-seeded Lancers (21-7) were a decided favorite, but were stressed by the sixth-seeded Wolverines (20-9). Led by UC Santa Barbara-bound senior guard Sarah Heyn (18 points in the first half), Westview led 35-28 early in the third quarter.

“I just knew I had to do whatever it took to win,” said Brown. “Whether that was defense or offense. I just wanted to win, period.”

Sparked by its defense, Parker closed the quarter on a 14-0 run. Westview’s final 11 possessions of the quarter ended with five missed shots and six turnovers.

Still, the game wasn’t over. Heyn cut the deficit to 48-44 with just over six minutes to play on a bucket. But with 5:47 to play, Heyn was whistled for her fifth foul on a reach-in.

“Knowing their best player fouled out, we sealed the win,” said Brown.

As for Heyn, who finished with 23 points, she sat on the bench and pulled her jersey over her eyes, hiding tears.

Clements’ thoughts when Heyn fouled out? “I hope we can put this game away now.”

Francis Parker High’s Jordan Brown shoots against Westview High during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

That the Lancers did, outscoring Westview 18-6 down the stretch.

The Lancers’ players and coach were effusive in their praise for Heyn, a four-year starter.

“She’s a great player,” said Brown.

“She played phenomenally,” said Clements. “She played the way you would think a senior would play in a championship game. She played desperately. She played every possession like it was the last 20 seconds of the game. She was extremely impressive. (Heyn buried five 3s, missing only once from deep.) She should be proud of herself.”

Clements was proud of her team for another reason. After blowing out two-time reigning Open Division champion Mission Hills by 26 in the semis, some thought Parker might cruise in the title game.

“I figured it was going to be a fight, and it was,” said Clements. “It was good that our girls had to come together, had to stick together. That’s what this is all about, developing character via the sport of basketball. When the kids face adversity, they have to make a decision. Who do they want to be? They showed the best version of themselves. That’s what I want to remember from a game like this.”

Francis Parker’s primary color is brown, which is fitting for the girls basketball team. They are led not only by the freshman Jordan Brown, but also junior Brieana Brown, a strong, aggressive and athletic 5-foot-11 wing.

Brieana Brown scored 25 points and yanked down a team-best eight rebounds.

About the team in brown being led by the Browns (who are not related), Jordan Brown said: “It’s super cool. I love Bri and our story. So many people think we’re related, that we’re siblings. In reality, we’re not, but we play like it.”

Francis Parker High's Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune) — Francis Parker High’s Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Francis Parker and Westview both will advance to the Southern California Regionals.

Earlier in the season, Clements — who was dressed in all black for the championship game — confessed she wasn’t crazy about Parker’s primary color. Her mood shifted Saturday night.

“Brown’s doing well for me now,” she said.

Asked if Lancers’ Brown squared tandem represents the best one-two girls basketball punch in the San Diego Section, Clements gave the questioner a “What do you think?” smirk.

“That,” said the coach of the Open Division champions, “is a no-brainer.”

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