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A Season I Will Never Forget - 2025–26 Girls Varsity Basketball Season in Review
I have been coaching for a long time, and I can tell you honestly — this group of young women gave me one of the most rewarding seasons of my career. When I look back on what we accomplished in 2025–26, I don’t just see a 27–5 record or a CIF-SS Division 5 championship banner. I see a group of players who trusted each other, competed through adversity, and delivered on their potential in the biggest moments. For those of you who followed the Cardinals this winter, thank you. And for those who are just catching up — let me take you through it.
Where It Started: The Bird Cage Classic
We opened the season hosting the Bird Cage Classic right here on campus at the Brick House, and I liked what I saw from the very first whistle. We handled Santa Barbara High 62–18 in the opener, with Luz Castro dropping 15 points and Alyssa Chrestenson adding 14. The Coronado sisters — Jaymi and Jeisa — were running the show on both ends of the floor, which would become a familiar theme all season long. We also got past Lompoc 46–43 in a gritty one that showed me early on that we had some fight in us. The Bird Cage is always a fun event, and kicking off the year in our own gym with that kind of energy set the tone perfectly.
Royal High Classic: Third Place and a Statement
In early December we headed down to Simi Valley for the Royal High Classic, and while we didn’t win the whole thing, I was really proud of how we finished. After dropping the semifinal, we came back and defeated Del Sol 55–25 in the third-place game — jumping out to a 17–0 lead in the first quarter. That kind of defensive energy on a third-place morning after a tough loss tells me a lot about a team’s character. Jeisa Coronado led the way with 14 points and Jaymi Coronado added 10. Jeisa earned a well-deserved spot on the All-Tournament Team, and the whole tournament helped us understand the kind of pressure we’d need to be able to handle come February.
Avalon Classic: Our First Trophy
Over New Year’s week, we made the trip out to Catalina Island for the Avalon Classic, and we came home with the championship. We closed it out with a 50–30 win over Pacifica Christian in the title game, leading 15–7 after one and never letting them back in it. Jaymi Coronado was named Tournament MVP — a well-earned honor for a senior who had been waiting for a moment like that. Eden Wynne was outstanding as well, scoring a team-high 17 points and earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Luz Castro and Jaymi each added nine points in the championship game. Winning the Avalon Classic gave us confidence and chemistry at exactly the right time of year, and I think it was a turning point in how this group saw itself.
The Players Who Made It Happen
I want to recognize every player on this roster, because you don’t go 27–5 without everyone contributing. Our senior class carried tremendous responsibility. Jaymi Coronado (#13) eclipsed 1,000 career points during the CIF-SS playoffs, a milestone that reflects four years of dedication and discipline. She’s one of the finest players I’ve coached. Kasey Seashore (#11) gave us everything she had on the interior every single night — she played through bumps and bruises and never once complained. And Natalie Rodriguez (#20) was exactly the kind of dependable, selfless guard you need.
Our juniors were sensational. Eden Wynne (#42) is a special player — she makes big shots in big games, she defends, and she makes her teammates better. Her performance in the CIF-SS championship game was as clutch as anything I’ve witnessed on this sideline. Yessenia Mendez (#3) played with poise and scored when we needed her to. She had several double-digit outings in league play, including a dominant win over Santa Clara in January, and I expect big things from her next year.
Then there are the underclassmen, and I honestly can’t say enough about them. Jeisa Coronado (#5) broke the program’s all-time three-point record as a sophomore. Let that sink in. She’s a heat-check shooter who thrives in big moments — she scored 17 in our second-round playoff win over Fullerton. Luz Castro (#31) was a revelation all season, combining athleticism and physicality in a way that opponents simply couldn’t solve. Elissa Mendez (#2) gave us quality minutes inside, and Alyssa Chrestenson (#4) had a standout Bird Cage Classic, scored 14 against Santa Barbara High, and made a hustle play in the Fullerton game that directly led to the scoring run that put the game away. And freshman Abby Walters (#21) played playoff basketball as a true freshman. She had incredible minutes in the semi-final game at Godinez. The future here is very bright.
The CIF-SS Playoff Run
Round 1: Bishop Diego 62, Milken Community 54
Our playoff opener gave us two historic moments on the same night. Jaymi Coronado crossed the 1,000-point mark for her career, and Jeisa Coronado broke the program’s all-time three-point record. I’m standing on the sideline watching history happen in real time, and we still had a game to close out. The girls did both. We won 62–54 and I was incredibly proud.
Round 2: Bishop Diego 55, Fullerton 44
This is the game that really tested us. We took an 18–8 first-quarter lead and I felt good about where we were. But Fullerton is a quality program, and they clawed back to within 36–30 at three quarters. Then they opened the fourth on a 5–0 run and cut it to one point. Deep breath. We needed to trust each other. What happened next was exactly who this team is. Alyssa Chrestenson came up with a critical hustle play and got the ball to Eden who swung it to Jeisa Coronado who knocked down a three, and Jaymi Coronado followed with a bucket — and just like that, a one-point deficit became a six-point lead. Fullerton never got back. Jeisa finished with 17 points and Eden Wynne added 14 on the road.
Quarterfinals: Bishop Diego 47, Sunny Hills 45
I’ll be honest — this was a nail-biter from start to finish. Luz Castro was tremendous with 13 points, and Eden Wynne hit two huge threes in the fourth quarter to give us the edge. Alyssa made a big basket to end the 3rd Quarter. Eden had a huge block woth 20 seconds and Luz Castro converted a free throw to give us a 3-point lead. With the game on the line, Eden tracked down the ball on a long inbounds pass to run out the clock. That’s what champions do. A two-point win feels like a lot of stress, but it’s also proof that this team knew how to compete.
Semifinals: Bishop Diego 48, Godinez 42
Getting to the final was not going to be easy, and Godinez made sure of that. But our defense was terrific. Eden Wynne came through again with clutch scoring down the stretch, and Jaymi Coronado was the steady hand in the backcourt that I always knew she could be. Luz Castro and Alyssa Chrestenson were outstanding on the boards. Abby Walters gave us great minutes off the bench. Winning 48–42 to advance to the championship game — I walked off that court with chills. This was the programs third trip to the finals in 11 years.
CIF-SS Division 5 Championship: Bishop Diego 42, Burroughs 40
I’ve replayed the final possession a hundred times and it still gives me chills. Tied game, clock running down. Eden Wynne gets the ball, reads the defense, drives into the paint, and releases a floater that splits the defense and nothing but net. Up 42–40 with six seconds left. Our defense holds. Final buzzer. CIF-SS Division 5 champions. Eden finished with 16 points, Luz Castro added nine, Jaymi Coronado added eight, and Jeisa hit two big 3’s at crucial moments. This is the program’s first sectional title since 2015, and it belongs to these kids.
CIF State Division 3, Round 1: Carlsbad 51, Bishop Diego 43
We drew the No. 3 seed in the state bracket and made the trip to Carlsbad. Eden Wynne gave us 16 points and Luz Castro, Jeisa Coronado, and Jaymi Coronado all competed hard in a 51–43 defeat. I’m never satisfied losing a game, but I was proud of how we represented Bishop Diego on that stage. A state appearance as a 14-seed, after everything this group went through, is something to be proud of.
All CIF Post Season Awards
Eden Wynne was voted as the CIF Division 5 player of year. Jaymi Coronado was a First Team selection. Coach Jeff Burich was named as the Division 5 Coach of the Year.
Thank You, Cardinal Family
To the administration and supporters of Bishop Diego: thank you for everything you give to this program. We are saying goodbye to three incredible seniors — Jaymi Coronado, Kasey Seashore, and Natalie Rodriguez — who poured themselves into Cardinal basketball and left it better than they found it. I am grateful for every moment I got to coach them.
And to the players returning — Eden Wynne, Yessenia Mendez, Jeisa Coronado, Luz Castro, Elissa Mendez, Alyssa Chrestenson, and Abby Walters — this is yours now. We set a standard in 2025–26. Let’s go raise it.
Jeff Burich ‘89
Andrea Diaz ‘97
Steve Robles ‘83
Bishop Garcia Diego High School
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