Calipatria Wins First Division 5-AA Girls Basketball Title

It's the first section title in program history for the fourth-seeded Lady Hornets.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 4:03am

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Calipatria High School's girls basketball team overcame a 10-game losing streak earlier in the season to defeat San Diego Academy 38-32 and win the CIF San Diego Section Division 5-AA title, the first section championship in program history.

Why it matters

Calipatria's remarkable comeback season and championship victory is an inspiring story of perseverance and teamwork, showcasing how a struggling team can turn things around through trust, connection, and a renewed commitment to winning.

The details

After opening the season 2-0, Calipatria went on a 10-game losing streak, including several blowout losses. But the team regrouped, started playing as a unit, and defeated second-seeded San Diego Academy in the championship game. Senior Savannah Sadberry led Calipatria with 14 points, despite missing time due to a bloody nose and a knee injury. Calipatria never trailed in the game, though San Diego Academy tied it twice in the third quarter before Sadberry scored the Lady Hornets' last six points of the period to give them a 28-25 lead going into the fourth.

  • Calipatria opened the season with two wins.
  • Calipatria then went on a 10-game losing streak that lasted 49 days.
  • The CIF San Diego Section Division 5-AA championship game was played on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 6:33 p.m. inside MiraCosta College's gymnasium.

The players

Savannah Sadberry

A senior on the Calipatria High School girls basketball team who led both teams with 14 points in the championship game despite missing time due to a bloody nose and a knee injury.

Isaiah Spence

The 27-year-old head coach of the Calipatria High School girls basketball team, who is also a landscaper by day.

Fernanda Rivera

A player for the San Diego Academy girls basketball team who scored 9 points in the championship game.

Harmony Santos

The daughter of the San Diego Academy girls basketball head coach, who scored 8 points in the championship game.

Janessa Valadez

The second leading scorer for Calipatria High School in the championship game with 7 points.

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What they’re saying

“We got too confident, and we weren't playing as a team.”

— Savannah Sadberry, Senior

“It was non-stop.”

— Savannah Sadberry, Senior

“Thank goodness my shots went in.”

— Savannah Sadberry, Senior

“It just shows she's a fighter.”

— Isaiah Spence, Head Coach

“What do we got to do to turn it around? We had the talent, the speed, the defense. When are we going to want to win?”

— Isaiah Spence, Head Coach

What’s next

The Calipatria High School girls basketball team will look to build on their first-ever section championship and aim to make a deep run in the upcoming state playoffs.

The takeaway

Calipatria's championship victory is a testament to the power of teamwork and perseverance, as the Lady Hornets overcame a daunting mid-season slump to capture their school's first-ever section title in girls basketball.