The Coastal League's Triumphant Return - A Top 25 update

Aaron Burgin
Dec 22
4 min read

For a few years there, the profile of the Coastal League - traditionally, one of San Diego's toughest - had taken a hit. The hurried and precipitous decline of Foothills Christian and Orange Glen, coupled with some down years from Francis Parker, Army Navy and Bishop's, and the league's outlook was precarious.

That's changed this year, as right now, the Coastal League boasts the top two teams in the region. The last time the league had two teams in the top 3 rankings was the end of the 2019 season, when Foothills was ranked No. 1 and La Jolla Country Day was No. 3.

Francis Parker currently holds the top spot, despite being 5-5, after a watershed win over Corona Roosevelt and a dominant win over a solid Montgomery team that reaffirmed its undefeated status in San Diego.

Right behind them is undefeated Santa Fe Christian, that has wins over Mission Bay, Torrey Pines, San Marcos and Victory Christian.

Both teams have solid tests this week, as the Eagles face Cathedral Catholic and Parker faces Torrey Pines at the four-game Holiday Classic Showcase on Tuesday. Then, both teams will really get tested in The Holiday Classic Tournament starting Dec. 26, where Francis Parker will be in the National Division - the top bracket of the five-division field, while Santa Fe Christian will be a favorite in the American Division, the second bracket.

Right behind the Coastal League duo are a pair of Western League foes in Mission Bay and Cathedral Catholic. The Dons had a big weekend up at the Father Barry Classic, in which they made it to the championship game before falling to a top-ranked Arizona squad in Brophy Prep. Mission Bay was victorious at the Sweetwater Tournament, defeating Bonita Vista in the championship in a tune-up before The Holiday Classic week.

Rounding out the top 5 is undefeated Madison. The Warhawks best wins so far are against St. Augustine and Poway in their Regional Rumble Tournament, but they've beaten everyone they've faced and have won two tournaments.

Victory Christian, St. Augustine, Mira Mesa, San Marcos and newcomer La Costa Canyon round out the Top 10.

The Mavericks are rolling, avenging an earlier loss to San Clemente before stunning Victory Christian in a true road game in pretty dominant fashion. St. Augustine, still without the services of San Marcos transfer Jackson McCall, have been snakebitten in two games in the second division of the always-tough Tarkanian Classic, while Mira Mesa San Marcos and Victory Christian all have solid wins and have taken it on the chin in a few losses.

Here's my updated Top 25:

Francis Parker (5-5) - Lancers and newly minted New Mexico commit Tavid Johnson face a gauntlet in the National Division of the Holiday Classic.
Santa Fe Christian (11-0) - Tuesday's matchup against Cathedral Catholic could be an Open Division preview.
Mission Bay (9-2)- Bucs also have a tough opponent in De La Salle to open up The Holiday Classic
Cathedral Catholic (6-2)- Father Barry results show the Dons are for real
Madison (11-0) - Warhawks roll into The Holiday Classic's American Division undefeated
La Costa Canyon (9-4) - Wins over Victory Christian and Mira Mesa during an 8-game winning streak.
Mira Mesa (9-3) - Loss to Rancho Buena Vista is a real head scratcher
Victory Christian (6-3) - Knights stunned at home against LCC after a torrid run in which they outscored West Hills, Sage Creek and University City by 162 points.
San Marcos (8-4) - Three straight wins after a buzzer beating defeat to Scripps Ranch
St. Augustine (5-4)- Much like Torrey Pines, Saints given grace due to tough schedule, but must start winning soon
Torrey Pines (4-6) - Shorthanded Falcons get a crucial Double OT win over La Jolla Country Day.
Poway (9-3) - Titans finding stride winning 6 of 7 after championship game loss to Madison.
Bonita Vista (8-3) - Found way to dominate games at Sweetwater Tourney without star guard Jerry Stokes
Olympian (6-3) - Two solid Norcal wins help Eagles find footing.
Carlsbad (5-6) - Have lost 3 of 4 since beating Saints on the road.
Christian (5-7) - Enigmatic Patriots have some strong wins - beat LCC by 20 and beat Olympian on the road, but must find consistency.
Mission Hills (5-5) - Grizzlies are 0-2 in the ever tough Mission Prep Holiday Classic bracket.
Sage Creek (6-6) - Bobcats get an underrated road win over Pacific Ridge, which just beat Carlsbad at home.
Pacific Ridge (11-2) - Firebirds drop second game of the year to Sage Creek, but solid start for D4 favorites.
Westview (8-2) - Took Mission Bay to the wire at Sweetwater tourney. Faces tough road tourney game against Christian today.
Bishop's (8-2) - Knight have dropped 2 of 3 since their undefeated 7-0 start.
Patrick Henry (8-4) - Have won 7 of their last 9 contests, including 4 in a row to close out the Sweetwater Tourney.
Point Loma (8-3) - Solid start despite home loss to rival Coronado - only other losses are to Madison and a 7-2 Dos Pueblos squad.
Montgomery (8-5)- Aztecs return to the Top 25 with a solid start to the season
Del Norte (6-6) - Nighthawks amid long layoff until the start of The Holiday Classic