Soquel High boys basketball team makes historic CCS final, NorCal berth

Knights defeat Leland to advance to first-ever section championship game and qualify for NorCal regionals.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Soquel High's boys basketball team made history on Thursday, defeating Leland 56-46 in the CCS Division III semifinals to advance to the section championship game for the first time in program history. The Knights, led by senior center Connor Corlett, also clinched a berth in the upcoming CIF NorCal Regional playoffs. Soquel, the unbeaten Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League champion, will face off against Sacred Heart Cathedral of San Francisco in the CCS D-III final on Saturday.

Why it matters

Soquel High's boys basketball team has never reached this level of postseason success before, making their first-ever CCS championship game appearance and earning a spot in the prestigious NorCal regional tournament. This historic run showcases the program's growth and the team's unselfish, hardworking style of play under second-year head coach Chris Christensen.

The details

In Thursday's semifinal, Soquel battled through an early back-and-forth contest before taking the lead for good in the second quarter. The Knights relied on balanced scoring, with seven players registering field goals, and stifling defense to hold off a late surge by Leland. Junior wing Chase Petersen scored a team-high 15 points, including 8 in the fourth quarter, while Corlett added 12 points and senior forward Liam Wennstrom chipped in 10.

  • Soquel High advanced to its first-ever CCS championship game on Thursday, February 27, 2026.
  • The Knights also clinched a berth in the upcoming CIF NorCal Regional playoffs with their semifinal win.

The players

Connor Corlett

A 6-foot-7 senior center who is the team's leading scorer, though he counts baseball as his top sport.

Chris Christensen

The Knights' second-year head coach, who has guided the team to unprecedented success this season.

Chase Petersen

A junior wing who scored a team-high 15 points, including 8 in the fourth quarter, to help Soquel hold off Leland.

Miles Johnson

A Soquel forward who was a rebounding force and persistent pest on defense in the semifinal win.

Sacred Heart Cathedral

The No. 2 seed that Soquel will face in the CCS Division III championship game on Saturday. SHC is a 13-time CCS champion making its 19th appearance in a section final.

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What they’re saying

“If you watched our kids in open gym in October, a lot of coaches in our league probably wouldn't have picked our guys on their team. But, when you put them together and ask them to do something, it's pretty symbiotic. We're not going to give it a guy and say, 'Go by him and score.' And because of that, we've all learned how to be a threat, learned how to be something to the team. That part is what I'm most proud of.”

— Chris Christensen, Soquel High head coach (santacruzsentinel.com)

“It means everything. Playing with my friends, we're winning and having fun. I feel like this season we have so much fun and I'm just out there playing with my buddies. It's awesome.”

— Miles Johnson, Soquel High forward (santacruzsentinel.com)

“They're a strong, powerhouse program. A lot of respect. They play unselfish. They play hard, the box out, they rebound.”

— Jimmy Apodaca, Leland High head coach (santacruzsentinel.com)

What’s next

The No. 1 seed Knights will face No. 2 Sacred Heart Cathedral of San Francisco in the CCS Division III championship game on Saturday. The site and time are to be announced.

The takeaway

Soquel High's historic boys basketball season continues, as the unheralded Knights have defied expectations to reach their first-ever CCS championship game and earn a spot in the prestigious NorCal regional tournament. Their unselfish, team-first style of play has been the key to their remarkable run, proving that mission-driven, community-oriented programs can still thrive in the modern era of high school sports.