Sailing the Waves of Victory: Palisades High's Lacrosse Reign
Palisades High School clinches both boys' and girls' City Lacrosse Championships
Prepare for some fierce competition as Palisades High faces off against El Camino Real in the City Section lacrosse championships.
Kailani Mercury, Desarae Estana, and Taylor Christensen all found the back of the net for El Camino Real, who have secured victory in the last two finals but were outplayed by Palisades in the 2024 title game.
Both the boys' and girls' Palisades teams have been unstoppable in the City Section finals since the sanctioning of playoffs in 2014, with this being their third consecutive year claiming both championships [1].
Did you know? Palisades High's girls' team racked up their third consecutive section crown and their fourth title overall in a 12-3 victory over El Camino Real. Freshman star Elexus Ray led the way with nine goals, securing her place among the national leaders with 113 goals in the 2025 season [1].
However, the boys' team's success doesn't stop with their latest triumph. In 2025, they won their ninth City Section title in ten years and fifth straight under head coach Dave Bucchino, who demonstrates masterful tactics with players like Will Fishman, Gavin Zuniga, Dylan Wong, and Maddox Walker [2].
The journey hasn't been without obstacles. This year, fires forced the team to practice and play games off campus. But nothing can dampen the Dolphins' spirits, as they've demonstrated with their recent win [2].
Remember, winning a championship isn't just about the glory of the moment. For athletes like Fishman, conquering the City Section finals is a fitting farewell, immersed in camaraderie with his best friends [2].
El Camino Real will hope to avenge their league losses and seal a victory in this hotly contested rivalry. But with the reigning champions soaring high, it may take some extraordinary play to unseat the Dolphins from their throne.
[1]: Source 1
[2]: Source 2
- The Palisades High girls' lacrosse team, with standout player Elexus Ray, has earned a spot among the national leaders with 113 goals in the 2025 season, striving to further extend their winning streak in California's sports scene.
- Despite the challenges posed by wildfires, which forced them to practice and play games off campus, the Palisades High boys' lacrosse team managed to secure a historic ninth City Section title in ten years, demonstrating remarkable resilience and team spirit.
- Having secured their fifth straight title under head coach Dave Bucchino, the Palisades High boys' lacrosse team has set a new standard in California's City Section finals, mirroring the success of European-league powerhouses like the Premier League in soccer.
- Meanwhile, the El Camino Real boys' lacrosse team, led by athletes like Kailani Mercury, Desarae Estana, and Taylor Christensen, will seek to capitalize on past victories and reclaim the title by avenging their league losses in the upcoming championship rematch against Palisades High.
- Will Fishman, Gavin Zuniga, Dylan Wong, and Maddox Walker of the Palisades High boys' team will aim to continue their winning streak in the 2026 season, pursuing yet another streak of success in the sports realm, just like the dolphins eluding their predators in the Pacific Ocean.
- As the sport enthusiasts of California prepare for the City Section lacrosse finals, it's clear that the competition will be lopsided, as both Palisades High and El Camino Real teams exhibit unrivaled dedication and skill in their respective divisions.
