Saints Basketball has a storied history of success beginning with such great players as Hall of Famers Tom Shaules, Bob Spence, Ron Wrigley, Sam Owens, and transitioning into the current era with James Minshall, Jelani McCoy (McDonald’s All-American), Floyd North (11th in point total for a career in San Diego history), Eric Osmundson, Rommel Marentez, Robert Hayes, Jamaal Williams, Andre Porter, Andre Hardy, James Pinkney, Russell Wooten and AJ Manalo among others.
Saints Basketball has been led by such great men as Deacon Dick Hardick, Jeff Armstrong, Rick Stewart and Bill Peterson. Winning its first CIF Championship in 1963 Saints has been to the CIF Finals 11 times–most recently 9 times under the guidance of Coach Haupt. During Coach Haupt’s reign Saints has won CIF Titles in 2001, 2002 and 2004. From 2005-2007 Saints compiled a 69-19 record, including two Western League Titles and a league record of 24-6.
2005 was the greatest year in Saints Basketball history and one of the greatest ever in San Diego when the team finished with the CIF Title and a 28-0 record by beating Crawford 74-68. Saints advanced to the State Championship game with a 31-0 record by beating Oak Park (70-54), Santa Margarita (64-61) and stunning Southern California powerhouse Artesia in the Southern California Championship (74-48) before losing a heartbreaker to Santa Cruz (36-1) from Northern California in the State Finals at Arco Arena by a score of 67-56. Saints held an 11 point lead in the third quarter.
Saints has the second longest winning streak in San Diego history of 41 games (not counting the state playoffs). Set during the 2004-05 seasons, their streak trails only the Bill Walton led Helix team of the late 60’s with 44 consecutive wins. Saints also has the third highest point total for a quarter in San Diego history. After being down by 25 points Saints scored 44 points in the 4th quarter of a CIF playoff game against Central Union in 2003.
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