Don Norcross

Jan 15, 2025 | sacbee.com | John Maffei |Don Norcross

Two of San Diego County’s most iconic high school football coaches - Monte Vista’s Ron Hamamoto and Madison’s Rick Jackson - are both retiring. Hamamoto, 66, is the third-winningest coach in San Diego Section history with a 246-194-4 record. He ranks behind only Herb Meyer (339 wins) and John Carroll (248 wins). Jackson, 50, is the San Diego Section's 15th-winningest coach with a 172-71-1 record. He will remain at Madison as athletic director and a biology teacher.

Dec 26, 2024 | sandiegouniontribune.com | Don Norcross

Maranatha Christian boys basketball coach Brooks Barnhard likes to treat the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic like it’s the CIF playoffs. There are guaranteed games, but lose and it’s unlikely you’ll be playing for the championship. “This is the only tournament that best mirrors what it looks like to be CIF champions,” said Barnhard, the former University of San Diego star now in his 13th season at Maranatha. “We treat this like we want to win the championship, put that level of pressure on us.

Nov 22, 2024 | bvmsports.com | Don Norcross

Canyon Crest Academy's girls tennis team advanced to the semifinals of Southern California Tennis Regional Championships on Friday before losing to No. 1 seeded Palos Verdes 4-3 at the Claremont Club. The Ravens won three of four singles matches but were swept in straight sets in the three doubles matches. Winning in singles for CCA were Chaeyule Kang 6-4, 6-1, Alyssa Liu 6-1, 6-1 and Kylie Halabo 6-1, 6-1. Canyon Crest advanced to the semis by beating Palos Verdes 4-3 in a morning quarterfinal.

Nov 21, 2024 | bvmsports.com | Don Norcross

By Don Norcross via San Diego Union-Tribune, CIF Southern California Girls Tennis Regional Championships When: Friday and Saturday Where: The Claremont Club Matchups: Canyon Crest Academy will take on Corona Del Mar in one of Thursday's quarterfinals, while Del Norte faces Portola. Canyon Crest Academy is led by seniors Chaeyule Kang and Lindsay Zhang. Del Norte is led by CIF San Diego Section doubles champions Ayana Shah, a senior, and freshman Thea Sharma.

Nov 15, 2024 | sandiegouniontribune.com | Don Norcross

When Ja’seem Reed first played youth football, he would dart down the field carrying the ball. There parallel to him, in the bleachers, would be his mother. A former track star, she would run beside him, a private end zone escort. Reed is now a standout University of San Diego wide receiver. His mother, Knechele, no longer pantomimes her son during games.