Pacific Ridge junior captain Gavin Fletcher joined the 1,000-point club on Jan. 22 with a third-quarter basket in the Firebirds’ 81-50 win over St. Joseph Academy, becoming only the third player in school history — after Scott Nalbandian (’15) and Brady Burman (’22) — to reach the milestone.
Fletcher, who stands 6‑foot‑2, has been a key contributor for Pacific Ridge over the past three years. This season, he is joined by 6‑foot‑11 forward Malick Jallow and junior co‑captain Alex Besio as the anchors of the team, which is now 18‑7 heading into the final week of the regular season.
“This milestone reflects the countless hours Gavin has dedicated to the game,” said Pacific Ridge head coach Chris Burman. “While Gavin is an extremely talented scorer, he also stands out on and off the court for his relentless work ethic, team-first mentality, and leadership as a captain.”
As a sophomore, Fletcher helped lead the Firebirds to a Division 5 Section Championship and an opening-round victory in the state tournament over Saddleback, 65‑48. Pacific Ridge will close out the regular season on Feb. 13 against Army‑Navy.
Nicholas Carlo earns spot on U.S. National Taekwondo team
Nicholas Carlo of Rancho Santa Fe returned from the 2026 U.S. National Taekwondo Team Trials in Tulsa, Oklahoma (Jan. 30 – Feb. 1), where he swept the heavyweight (+87 kg) division to earn a spot on the U.S. National Team. The Trials are the premier domestic event for selecting the nation’s top athletes for international competition.
Carlo didn’t lose a single round in his three 2‑0 victories, securing invitations to elite events this year, including the Pan American Championship in Brazil and the Canadian and U.S. Opens.
“This signifies Nick is a premier athlete in the sport of Taekwondo. He is prepared to compete on the global stage for Team USA,” said his father, Dennis Carlo. “This is the path that one takes to eventually make the Olympic team.”
The 6‑foot‑4 heavyweight trains at Menlo College under coach TJ Curry. Menlo had three athletes named to the U.S. National Team this season.
“It’s not an overnight thing to become a champion,” Nicholas Carlo previously told The Coast News. “It’s a ton of work. I am working Monday through Friday, sometimes two training sessions a day. It’s a long journey.”
Checkdowns
North County flair on Team Israel: Torrey Pines High School alums, brothers and Del Mar natives, CJ (’15) and Garrett Stubbs (’12) will catch for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic (March 5-17). CJ is in the Toronto Blue Jays system, Garrett is in the Philadelphia Phillies system, and Rancho Santa Fe’s Kevin Youkilis, former Red Sox third baseman, joins as a bench coach. Rosters were announced Feb. 5.
Pool play opens in San Juan, Houston, Miami, and Tokyo.
North County on the Winter Olympics: North County Representation is scarce at the 2026 Winter Games, but Oceanside-born Elana Meyers Taylor is competing on the U.S. women’s bobsled team. Raised in Atlanta, she will take the track when bobsled competition begins Feb. 15 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Brees heads to Hall of Fame: Santa Fe Christian quarterbacks coach Drew Brees was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility – announced Feb. 5. The former NFL star played for the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints, living in Rancho Santa Fe during his time in San Diego, and ranks among the all-time leaders in passing yards and touchdowns. He also helped guide SFC to the Division II Section Championship this season.
