OCEANSIDE — At one point in the season, things looked bleak for Carlsbad High School’s girls basketball team. The Lancers lost nine of 10 in December, including blowouts by 30, 41 and 47 points.
“We could have turned on each other, pointed fingers,” said coach Donna Huhn. “But we said, no. We’re going to do this. I know it sounds cheesy, but we’re a family.”
Come Saturday afternoon, that purple-clad family was dancing on the Frontwave Arena floor, celebrating a 54-50 win over Imperial, giving the Lancers the CIF San Diego Section Division 1 championship.
Like the season, the win over Imperial was bumpy. Carlsbad jumped to an eight-point first-quarter lead, only for the visiting Tigers to go up 14-13 in the second quarter.
By halftime, the Lancers used a 10-0 run to forge a 31-19 lead at the break. The margin swelled to 43-28 heading into the fourth quarter.
Huhn wasn’t planning any victory speeches.
“I’ve learned my lesson,” said Carlsbad’s eighth-year head coach, who has never suffered a losing season. “I wouldn’t do that with any of my teams.”
Carlsbad High’s Georgia Hawk shoots against Imperial High during the CIF Division 1 championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. The Lancers defeated the Tigers 54-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Good thing. Imperial slapped on a full-court press, Carlsbad turned the ball over its first four possessions and the lead began to dwindle. To six points, to five with 1:31 to play, to three with 21.8 seconds to play.
“I was nervous,” said 5-foot-11 junior Georgia Hawk.
“For sure,” said sophomore Mallory Huhn, the coach’s daughter, “it was stressful.”
But the Lancers didn’t wilt. Junior Allison DiBenedetto buried two free throws with 16.8 seconds to play to all but ice the game.
Hawk, an All-CIF wide receiver in flag football, led Carlsbad with 17 points and nine rebounds, plus blocked three shots. Mallory Huhn scored 15 points and dished out three assists. DiBenedetto ran the floor, scoring 13 points and handing out six assists.
Imperial sophomore Elynna Jimenez scored 17 points and blocked three shots.
“I second-guess myself for not putting (the press) on earlier,” said Imperial coach Richard Ponchione. “It rattled them a little, but it took a toll on us, too. We used up a lot of energy, and our legs were gone at the end.”
Carlsbad (18-14) has won seven in a row. The title was the Lancers’ first since a Division 2 championship in 2019. Imperial fell to 23-7. Both teams advance to the SoCal Regionals, with pairings for the state playoffs announced Sunday.
Carlsbad takes on Donna Huhn’s personality. The Lancers are feisty, diving for loose balls, yanking the ball out of opponents’ hands and not being shy about questioning an official’s call.
Said Hawk, “The refs, some of the calls, I was like …”
She didn’t finish the thought, instead just shaking her head.
“That’s a reflection of me,” Donna Huhn said. “I’m feisty. I got plenty of technicals this year. At least seven. That’s probably being generous.”
Carlsbad High’s Mallory Huhn drives past Imperial High’s Elynna Jimenez during the CIF Division 1 championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. The Lancers defeated the Tigers 54-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Mallory Huhn scored the 1,000th point of her career in the first quarter. Holding a section trophy meant more to her. Her sister Madison played basketball at Carlsbad. Her sister Abby played basketball and softball for the Lancers.
Older brother Troy was a star quarterback at Mission Hills and is now at Virginia Tech. None of them won a section championship.
“I guess,” said Mallory, “I have bragging rights over my siblings.”