San Joaquin Delta College women's basketball team wins first state championship

The Mustangs overcame a 20-point deficit in the title game to capture the historic victory.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 6:24am

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The San Joaquin Delta College women's basketball team made history by winning the program's first-ever state championship. The Mustangs defeated MiraCosta 78-71 in the title game, capping a decades-long run under head coach Gina Johnson. Delta trailed by 20 points in the second quarter before mounting a comeback fueled by a key defensive adjustment and a gritty team effort.

Why it matters

This championship marks a major milestone for the San Joaquin Delta College athletics program and the local Stockton community. The women's basketball team's historic victory comes during Women's History Month, celebrating the achievements of female athletes and coaches.

The details

The Mustangs' title run came in a highly competitive field of more than 100 teams across Northern and Southern California. In the championship game, Delta trailed by 20 points in the second quarter before Johnson made a key adjustment to a zone defense, which helped shift the momentum of the game. The Mustangs then relied on a gritty team effort to complete the comeback victory.

  • The Mustangs won the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) title on Sunday, March 16, 2026.
  • Head coach Gina Johnson has led the Delta College women's basketball program for 30 years, since being hired in 1997.

The players

Gina Johnson

The head coach of the San Joaquin Delta College women's basketball team, who has led the program for 30 years and also teaches health and kinesiology at the college.

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What they’re saying

“It's just amazing. We've been the runner-up before, but to be a champion, so many people from all over the community, all over the school, campus...people from everywhere are congratulatory... and it's been such a positive thing to happen for San Joaquin Delta College in general. I'm very proud of it all.”

— Gina Johnson, Head Coach

“You have to believe. And that's what we said all week. You have to believe when things don't go well. You just got to keep pushing, and I really believe that's what our girls did. They believed.”

— Gina Johnson, Head Coach

What’s next

The championship banner will be unveiled on Saturday, March 22, 2026, at 5 p.m. during a campus celebration, where it will hang alongside the college's 1984 men's basketball state title banner. The event will include opportunities for photos with family and friends, followed by an alumni game.

The takeaway

The San Joaquin Delta College women's basketball team's historic state championship victory is a testament to the perseverance and determination of the players and their longtime coach, Gina Johnson. This achievement not only celebrates the success of the team but also highlights the growth and development of the college's athletics program, inspiring the local community and showcasing the talent and potential of female student-athletes.