Local winter sports teams made their return to Harry’s Plaza Cafe for the first Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon of 2025 on Monday.
The Channel League schools of San Marcos, Dos Pueblos and Santa Barbara High were the only high schools in attendance, previewing a busy week of rivalry basketball and soccer matchups along with an action-packed weekend of girls water polo.
Rivalry Week
The Royals, Chargers and Dons will all make their returns to Channel League action this week after a Winter Break full of rest, non-league play and tournament games.
There are plenty of crosstown rivalry games on the hardwood lined up for the week ahead, beginning with a boys basketball matchup between Santa Barbara High and Dos Pueblos in Goleta on Monday at 7 p.m.
The Chargers will continue their rivalry week with a short trip down the 101 to take on San Marcos on Wednesday inside the Thunderhut at 7 p.m.
There could be some shakeup in the league standings following this week, as all three local teams play three games apiece. The Royals and Dons enter the week atop the league standings at 3-0 while the Chargers sit at 1-2 on the young season.
“We had a very busy Christmas break… this week will be a real challenge,” Dos Pueblos boys basketball assistant coach John Slavin said.
The girls side will see some of these same matchups as Dos Pueblos will head down to take on Santa Barbara High on Tuesday at 7 p.m. before hosting San Marcos on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Chargers and Royals are both 1-2 in league play while the Dons are still in search of their first league win.
“We’ve had a tough year but we’re getting better every game, everything was new for us in the beginning,” Santa Barbara girls basketball head coach Andrew Butcher said. “We’re starting to get it, stuff is no longer new for us… we’re moving in the right direction.”
Thursday will be a big day on the pitch, as Dos Pueblos and San Marcos will square off for rivalry matchups in both boys and girls soccer.
The two boys teams will meet in Goleta at Scott O’Leary Stadium at 5:15 p.m. while the girls matchup will be at San Marcos’ Warkentin Stadium at 6:30 p.m.
Girls Water Polo Tournament of Champions
The local Channel League schools will also serve as the host sites for the 2025 Girls Water Polo Tournament of Champions this weekend, a 22-team tournament that features some of the top teams in Southern California.
San Marcos and Dos Pueblos will be the local representatives, but they will have to get past powerhouses Mater Dei, Newport Harbor and Oaks Christian, among others.
“The best teams in Southern California will be here in our area,” Dos Pueblos head coach Chris Parrish said. “If you are interested in girls water polo, come out and watch. It’s some of the best players in the country and it’s going to be pretty fantastic.”
The Chargers will open their tournament in a play-in game on Thursday against Buena Park at 3 p.m. at Elings Aquatic Center.
Meanwhile, the Royals will await the winner of San Clemente and Mira Costa, taking them on Friday at 1:15 p.m. at Santa Barbara High.
The tournament’s championship game will be on Saturday at 1:55 p.m. at Santa Barbara High.
Student-athletes in attendance, by order of presentation
Dos Pueblos Girls Water Polo: Megan Garner, Addison Parrish
Dos Pueblos Boys Basketball: Danny Pizano, Emilio Aguirre
Westmont College Swimming: Grace McAnear, Emma Robinson
San Marcos Boys Basketball: Sergio Landeros, Jacob Wallace
San Marcos Girls Basketball: Malina Murray, Giulia Gislimberti
Santa Barbara High Girls Basketball: Dayzia Mendoza, Ella Popovich
Santa Barbara High Boys Basketball: Luke Zuffelato, Owen Horn, Brent Sharpton
Dos Pueblos Boys Soccer: Miguel Greenberg, Makai Callis
Dos Pueblos Girls Soccer: Charlize Welch, Bridget Harris
San Marcos Boys Soccer: Yael Solano, Luis Campos, Jacob Barsky
Dos Pueblos Girls Basketball: Taylor Grant, Carly Letendre
San Marcos Girls Soccer: Harlyn Griffin
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