OCEANSIDE — There are no 20-points-per-game scorers or double-figure rebounders.
The Victory Christian High School boys’ basketball team is the epitome of a team.
Saturday evening at Frontwave Arena, the Knights had three players in double figures, didn’t have a player with more than four rebounds, but forced 10 second-half turnovers and beat Francis Parker 57-55 to win the school’s first Open Division championship.
Both teams advance to the Southern California Regionals, with pairings announced late Sunday afternoon.
“Every team has its individuals, great players, stars,” said Victory Christian sophomore Troy Tominna, whose freshman brother plays at Francis Parker.
“But we’re a total team effort. We take pride in that. And we were able to beat one of the best teams in San Diego because of it.”
Second-seeded Victory Christian (27-4) seemingly had the game under control, leading 53-42 with 4:08 to play.
But fourth-seeded Parker (21-10) went on a 7-0 run and had the game down to 53-51 with 31 seconds to play. With the clock running down, the Lancers were forced to foul, sending Tominna to the free-throw line.
With 17 seconds to play, Tominna made both free throws. Parker then turned the ball over and DJ Humphries made a pair of free throws to make it 57-52.
Parker’s Ezekiel Walker hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to account for the final score.
“I live for moments like that,” Tominna said of his free throws. “We practice free throws every day at practice, put the pressure on ourselves.
“That’s the first time I’ve been in that game-winning situation and I’m happy I was able to come through for the team.”
Victory Christian’s Jayden Gray in action with Francis Parker’s Ezekiel Walker during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Victory Christian Academy defeated Francis Parker 57-54. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Humphries, who averages 15.1 points a game, finished with 20. Tominna, who averages 16.5, finished with 11.
Isaiah Owens, who averages 12.6, had 12.
Jayden Gray, Victory Christian’s other double-figure scorer, finished with six points.
“We played under control and made it happen,” said Victory Christian coach Will Gray. “DJ was great for us today. Jayden did his thing. Troy knocked down those huge free throws. And I can’t forget Kaeryn (Araiza). He has been a role player all season and came up huge today.”
Araiza hit a pair of 3-pointers in the second half and finished with eight points.
Francis Parker’s Ezekiel Walker dunks the ball against Victory Christian during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Victory Christian Academy defeated Francis Parker 57-54. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Parker coach Mason Biddle said he thought Victory Christian was more physical.
“We kind of played into their hands,” said Biddle. “Not being tough, looking for foul calls. I think we bought into them pressuring us and going away from the basket. We lost because they played harder.”
Walker led Francis Parker with 19 points while Columbus Palmer chipped in with 15, 13 in the second half. Tavid Johnson, who averages 23.5 points a game, was held to eight points, but he led all rebounders with six.
Playoff picture
San Diego will send 18 boys teams and 18 girls teams to the Southern California Regionals.
On the boys’ side, all eight Open Division teams — Francis Parker, Victory Christian, Santa Fe Christian, San Marcos, Cathedral Catholic, Olympian, Mission Bay and La Costa Canyon — will play on. So will four Division 1 teams: Mira Mesa, Christian, Carlsbad and Torrey Pines. The finalists in Divisions 2 and 3 — Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Army-Navy and Ramona — also advance. So does Pacific Ridge and Preuss UCSD, the winners in Divisions 4 and 5.
On the girls’ side, Open Division teams Francis Parker, Westview, Grossmont, Mission Hills, Mater Dei Catholic, La Jolla Country Day, Cathedral Catholic and Victory Christian will keep playing. So will the Division 1 semifinalists: Carlsbad, Imperial, Montgomery and Torrey Pines. La Costa Canyon and Lincoln will play from Division 2, while Escondido and Vista advance out of Division 3. Santana and San Pasqual will represent Divisions 4 and 5.