North Hollywood Girl’s Basketball Team won the 2026 Division II CIF City Championship. Since the last championship they won was in 2016, The Huskies were able to make history again. With a new coach and a new chemistry amongst the team, they were able to bring back home a medal. After a valiant fight of a close score and going into overtime, the Lady Huskies win with an intense score of 59-55.
Captain Salma Perez (#1) was fighting through the nerves and felt a sense of pride. Perez says, “I was feeling really proud for how far we came no matter the outcome that would happen.” Throughout the intense game, Perez was fighting through a roller coaster of emotions to show up for the team and for herself. Perez says, “when third quarter game I knew what I had to do and I knew I couldn’t let my emotions affect me.” Perez was crucial for keeping the morale of the team alive throughout the tough game.
Guard Janette Santiago (#15) knew losing wasn’t an option for this game. The Huskies were about to make husky history. Even through mistakes and high emotions, Santiago only had one goal in mind. Santiago explains, “Sure I was nervous and made mistakes but when I was on the court, but I could only think about winning.” Once the team went into overtime, the gym’s tension was intense. Santiago reflects, “ I had hope in both myself and my team that we would still be able to take the title of “champions” home/ Both teams had made mistakes and made amazing plays and shots as a normal team does. With both teams going head to head, Santiago still believed in her team, “Although, overtime was the chance to prove that North Hollywood High School was the better team.”
Guard Elena Pool-Brooks (#2) showed up for her team by dropping a triple double with 22 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 steals. When the team went into the shocking overtime, Pool-Brooks knew her team would come through. Pool-Brooks says, “My faith in the fact that we were able to win never waivered.”After the history-making win, the team had an emotional celebration. Pool-brooks says, “it was a Cinderella story and the best way to go out. I worked hard and sacrificed a lot for it and my teammates have as well so it felt well deserved.”
This season the Huskies got a new coach. Coach Swann. Coach Swann brought out a new energy and momentum from this team. She changed the team’s chemistry and it showed throughout this season. Pool-Brooks says, “I am also very thankful to my coach who came in and became an inspiration and a role model to our team.” Coach Swann brought new beginnings to this team and this championship is solid proof of that. Dao says, “Getting that medal and award was just a really emotional moment for all of us because this season was a fresh start for everyone on the team after being with a new coach.”
The Huskies made noise this season. With a new coach and a whole new energy amongst the team, it brought the best out of them. They pushed through intense practices and had a new drive and determination to win that gold. Congratulations to the Huskies and Coach Swann for their valiant efforts, they will forever be remembered in the Husky history books.
