The Santa Barbara sports scene continues to boast some of the best talent in the state year in and year out, and 2025 was no different.
Noozhawk was there for it all, and here are some of the top playoff performances, rivalry battles and storylines from the past year.
Postseason Success
Bishop Diego Girls Tennis Captures CIF-SS D8 Title with Win Over Santiago
The Cardinals capped off an eventful season with a strong CIF-SS playoff title run that ended in a Division 8 title. Bishop Diego defeated YULA, Alhambra, Rim of the World, Tahquitz and Santiago in the postseason.
Bishop Diego also won the Tri-Valley League regular-season championship after finishing in a three-way tie and winning the tiebreaking match to get into the playoffs.
Cate Outlasts West Valley in Five-Set Classic to Win CIF-SS Div. 7 Girls Volleyball Title
The Rams celebrated a historic season this fall, battling through the playoffs and pulling out a dramatic five-set win over West Valley for the program’s first-ever CIF-SS title.
Cate was led by a strong corps of six seniors who have contributed for all four years, headlined by Tri-Valley League MVP Oyin Opawumi.
Cate Outlasts San Marcos for 11-7 Win in CIF-SS Div. 3 Boys Tennis Title Match
It was a championship year for the Rams, as the boys tennis team took down San Marcos in an all-local CIF-SS Division 3 boys tennis championship match.
The Cate program is developing a bit of a dynasty up the hill in Carpinteria, as this spring’s title was their second in three seasons.
Dos Pueblos Boys Cross Country Wins CIF-SS Div. 2 Title
A standout season in the rugged CIF Southern Section for Dos Pueblos cross country was capped off by a CIF-SS Div. 2 title performance at Mt. San Antonio College.
The Chargers were one of the most consistent teams all season, showcasing their depth and talent from their top finisher to their last.
Dos Pueblos Baseball Advances to CIF-SS Div. 4 Championship with Win Over Thousand Oaks
The Chargers put together one of the best seasons in school history on the diamond this spring, reaching a CIF-SS championship game for the first time since 1993.
While Dos Pueblos eventually fell in the title game to Ganesha, it provided a magical run for the Goodland and the 12 seniors graduating from the program.
Clutch Shots Power Santa Barbara Basketball to OT Win Over Mater Dei in CIF Quarterfinals
The Dons catapulted themselves onto the brightest of stages last season, dominating their way to a Channel League title and reaching the CIF-SS Div. 1 semifinals.
Santa Barbara High pulled off several signature wins along the way, including a buzzer-beating victory over Sierra Canyon and an overtime win over powerhouse Mater Dei in the quarterfinals.
Westmont Baseball Battles to 3-2 Win Over San Francisco State on Day 1 of West Regional
The Warrior baseball program proved they belonged in NCAA Div. II, hosting a regional tournament in its first season of postseason eligibility.
While Westmont was unable to advance out of the Santa Barbara regional, it gave Warrior fans plenty to look forward to for years to come on the diamond.
Thrilling Rivalry Battles
San Marcos Football Walks Off Dos Pueblos in Double OT to Clinch Playoff Spot, 16-10
This fall’s edition of the Battle for the Goodland was as high-stakes as ever, as it fell on the regular-season finale with the two teams playing for an automatic bid into the CIF-SS playoffs.
The game lived up to its hype, as the Royals pulled out the win in double overtime on a 70-yard fumble recovery touchdown by Cole Dominguez.
Dos Pueblos Pulls Out Dramatic 15-14 Win Over San Marcos in Flag Football Rivalry Showdown
The flag football Battle for the Goodland was just as thrilling this season, as both squads were consistently ranked in the top 10 of the CIF Southern Section.
While the two teams split their two matchups this year, Dos Pueblos’ win was as dramatic as it gets. After a go-ahead score in the final two minutes, the Chargers got a goal line stop as time expired to secure the win.
Jetner Welch’s Go-Ahead Homer Powers Santa Barbara to Extra-Inning Win Over San Marcos
The Dons got some late-game heroics from Jetner Welch, who belted a go-ahead homer in the top of the eighth inning to vault his team to a 2-1 rivalry win over San Marcos.
That win proved to be crucial as Santa Barbara High went on to share the Channel League championship for their second straight title.
San Marcos Track & Field Sweeps Crosstown Showdown with Dos Pueblos, Santa Barbara
The Royals showed off their local dominance on the track this spring with a sweep of the boys and girls meets at the Crosstown Showdown.
The San Marcos girls were led by Avery Leck, who won four different individual events. Meanwhile, Logan Patterson Deakyne was the lone double winner for the boys.
Dos Pueblos Outlasts San Marcos for 13-12 Win in Crosstown Boys Water Polo Clash
The Chargers and Royals met for an intense boys water polo rivalry battle this fall, and it did not disappoint.
The two sides exchanged blows back-and-forth down the stretch until Dos Pueblos went on a quick 4-1 run in the final quarter to clinch the victory.
Marcus Scudder Nails Buzzer-Beater to Lift Cate Boys Basketball to Win Over Bishop Diego
The Rams and Cardinals clashed in front of a rowdy Brick House crowd in January, and the two sides put on a show for their respective student sections.
After a back-and-forth battle throughout, Cate’s Marcus Scudder drilled a stepback three-pointer to give his team the 58-56 rivalry win.
Biggest Storylines
U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team to Play Chile at UCSB’s Harder Stadium in January
Santa Barbara is set to host one of its most high-profile games in years in January, as the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team is set to take on Chile at Harder Stadium.
The game will be the second of the 2026 USWNT schedule and will wrap up their January training camp.
UCSB’s Tyler Bremner Drafted No. 2 Overall by Los Angeles Angels in MLB Draft
UCSB right-handed pitcher Tyler Bremner made Gaucho baseball history this summer when he became the highest draft pick the program has ever had.
Bremner was drafted No. 2 overall by the Los Angeles Angels and will look to rise up the ranks and help an Angels pitching staff that has had its ups and downs in recent years.
Santa Barbara Sky FC Postpones Inaugural Season to March 2027
Santa Barbara Sky FC postponed its first season for the third time this year, as it is now set to debut in March 2027.
The Sky has big plans of improving Harder Stadium until then, and the organization remains in search of a coaching and technical staff.