In an amazing display of athleticism and determination, the Dolphins soundly defeated Torry Pines 81 to 67 on February 7, putting them one game closer to the State Finals.
The regional semi-final Division II game was held at Palisades High School but didn’t have the turnout one would expect from a home game. But then a large portion of the Palisades was destroyed in the fire, including infrastructure like streetlights, and maybe dark streets made a night game seem less inviting.
Palisades seemed to get off to a slow start and after the first quarter Torrey Pines was up 16 to 14. The Dolphins had trouble with junior Tyler Humphrey, 6’6” who had 13 points in the first half.
By halftime, the Dolphins had pulled ahead 31-25. After the half, defensively, the Dolphins held Humphrey in check, who only scored once. The Falcons’ Chase Rogowski, 6”7” got into foul trouble in the second half and was substituted out. He had 12 points for the game.
The second half saw a different Palisades team. Barely two minutes into the third quarter they were up 40 to 27, and Torry Pines took a time out to try and slow the momentum.
The Dolphins continued scoring and Torry Pines took another timeout with two minutes left in the third quarter with the score 46 to 32, but there was no stopping the Dolphins. . . that train had left the station.
By the fourth quarter, the Dolphins were up 52 to 37, as they tied up the victory. Junior EJ Popoola, 6’6” was the top scorer for the Dolphins with 29 and brother OJ added 17 points. Junior Jack Levey, 6’ had 18 points for the game with two three pointers. Freshman Phillip Reed, Jr., 6’3” added 16 points,
The eighth seeded Palisades will go up against the third seed Bakersfield Christian at Bakersfield on March 10. Former Palisades Basketball coach Donzell Hayes was at the game (his son is on the JV basketball team). Hayes was one game away from taking the Dolphins to a state final when Bakersfield beat the Dolphins at home in 2020. Hayes hopes the Dolphins can turn the tables this year.
The winner of that game goes to the State Final Championship Game on March 1 in Sacramento.
Jack Levey shoots a three-pointer.
GIRLS WIN ON THE ROAD
Palisades girls basketball team defeated Marina 61 to 49 at Huntington Beach on March 7 in the regional semi-finals. The Dolphins, ranked fifth, will next play Godinez Fundamental at Santa Ana in the regional finals of the 2026 CIF State Girls Division IV. If the Dolphins get past the Grizzlies – the number 2 seed, they will advance to the State Final Championships at the Golden Center in Sacramento on
