We Are Sol Proud!

Several factors differentiate San Diego Sol from other clubs including our expert coaches, consistent and organized practices, and the fact that we are the only club in San Diego to have its own practice facility where our players can get extra practice.

We take all levels of players and give everyone the same care and training. Whether you are a beginning player or a high school athlete aspiring to play in college – you will receive the same attention and expertise from our coaching staff. Additionally, all our coaches have coached in high school, college or both.

We offer a comprehensive program placing players of similar abilities on age-group based teams. For some players, our club is an introduction to competitive basketball. Some of our teams are highly competitive travel teams. A player can begin with our club and improve his or her skills to any level – from elementary and recreational levels all the way through college and on to the professional ranks. Also, as a member of Sol, you will receive discounts to participate in our camps and clinics.

For these reasons and many more we can say that we are Sol Proud and we welcome you to join our Sol family!

More About Us

We know that we are teaching more than basketball to our players. We know that the tools they learn from being on a team and playing on the court can be applied to their everyday lives. These lessons include the principles of discipline, perseverance, teamwork and the pursuit of excellence. We are helping our players build character for their future off the court.

Original Women’s Sol Team

Back row from left to right – Sue Homer, Amy Cleveland, Sara Heckman, Jennie Harris, Janine Phillips, Coach Tony Allen, Nicole Anderson, Deb Therou, Mo Taylor.
Kneeling from left to right – Stephanie Williams, Jodi Tres

For seven weeks, beginning in February of 1997, a group of fifteen women participated in once-a-week scrimmages designed to prepare players for college and professional competition. From this initial group, a post-collegiate women’s team was assembled that went 28 – 3 in its first season. The name San Diego Sol was chosen, in part, because “sol,” the Spanish word for sun, aptly relates to the sunny climate in San Diego.

That women’s team won the regular season and playoffs of the Tierrasanta League, won the 1998 Division I, NWBL Regional Championship and was runner-up in the 1998 Division I, NWBL National Championship. The San Diego Sol women’s team disbanded in 1999 when a number of players moved-on to play professional basketball in Europe.

When some of the women from the original San Diego Sol returned from playing professional basketball overseas, they recognized the need in San Diego for a program that offers a wide range of opportunities for young players. In March of 2002, our staff organized an assessment camp that was attended by girls ranging from 8 to 18 years of age. Eight teams were established under the name San Diego Sol Basketball Club. By March of 2003, there were 12 teams supporting more than 100 girls.

The parents in the Sol program requested that Sol start a program for boys so, in 2005, Sol added a boys program. The Sol Pee Wee program was begun in 2007 and has teams for boys and girls as young as 5 years of age.

The staff and players of San Diego Sol give thanks to those who helped or took part in the San Diego Sol teams of the past and to those who participate now and in the future. We appreciate their efforts and commitment to improving the level of basketball in San Diego and to the development of the character and the personalities of the players who are proud to say,“Sol.”

Over the years we have collected some great photos of our teams and their victories. Please take a stroll down memory lane with us as we memorialize our players achievements.

What People Are Saying

The Sol’s highly experienced and knowledgeable coaching staff uses a positive approach to the game, focusing heavily on fundamentals, individual skill development and team play. Players who come out of this program are well-rounded and skillful, and prepared to succeed in all phases of their careers.
Jenny Gross, Head Coach - UC Davis
My daughter has been playing at San Diego Sol since the first grade…Today she is a junior and still loves the game. Great coaches, excellent facilities and outstanding basketball skills is what they offer. Thanks for a great experience!
Jaime Hernandez, Sol Proud Parent

Our Coaches In Action

Teshona Bennett
Teshona BennettCoach
Originally from Wisconsin, Coach Bennett brings an immense amount of knowledge and experience in coaching at both the high school and college level. She coached at San Diego Christian College and was in charge of player development and recruiting. Before coaching at SDCC, she was at Beloit College as the assistant women’s coach. She is now the head coach at Del Norte High School.

Coach Bennett has been a part of a winning tradition throughout her coaching and playing career. As an assistant coach for the Whitewater Whippets Girls Basketball program, Coach Bennett helped lead the team to an undefeated season and a State Championship in 2015. She played at UW-Whitewater Wisconsin and was a part of the NCAA Final Four.

She earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Coaching along with a Master’s of Education degree in Athletic Administration. Her daughter, who attended her first basketball camp at Sol, made her first basket in the Sol gym.

Spatticus Harris
Spatticus HarrisCoach
Coach Harris is a full time coach for San Diego Sol. Harris is our Camps and Clinics Director and his knowledge and enthusiasm have contributed significantly to the growth and success of these programs. Coach Harris is married and has three children, all of whom have grown up in the gym and play for the Sol program. Harris coached at San Diego Christian College and was also the assistant coach at Cathedral Catholic High School which won the 2019 CIF Open Division. Coach Harris played on our inaugural San Diego Sol Men’s Professional ABA team that won the 2011 Southern California Division Championship. Originally from Toronto, Canada Harris came to California to attend San Diego Christian College. He played all four years at SDCC leading the Hawks to two National Championships (NCCAA). He earned 1st team All-American honors and graduated with a degree in Kinesiology.
Janelle Jones
Janelle JonesCoach
Coach Jones is a Sol alumni who started playing for the club during her sophomore year. She played guard for Murrieta Valley High School where she helped the team win a CIF southern section championship in 2013. She led her league in three-point percentage and was league honorable mention. Coach Jones continued her basketball career at Division III The College of Wooster for two seasons, before transferring back home to California, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science from Point Loma Nazarene University. She then went to the University of San Diego and earned her master’s degree in Education.

Jones is a valuable team player, willing to fill any role needed in our organization including staff administration and league and tournament directing. We are thrilled to have her bring her passion and knowledge of the game to our program.

Shawn Lasalita
Shawn LasalitaCoach
Coach Lasalita is a full time coach and administrator at San Diego Sol, currently in charge of our operations and social media departments. He has coached a variety of youth and high teams including our ABC/Sol German All-Star summer teams. He has also coached the boy’s freshman team at Cathedral Catholic High School. Lasalita graduated from Clarkson University in New York with a degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He played basketball for four years, winning a league title and making it to the NCAA tournament. Raised in San Diego, Lasalita attended Francis Parker High School where he helped lead the team to a school best 28-4 record. He was selected 1st-team Coastal South and was chosen to play in the 2007 San Diego All-Star game. Lasalita also holds the record for most three-point field goals made at his high school. In addition, he was a varsity volleyball player winning 3 CIF championships.
AJ Maisano
AJ MaisanoCoach
Coach Maisano has been involved in the Sol community since he was in grade school, playing in various leagues and tournaments. He attended Cathedral Catholic in San Diego where he was a 2 sport athlete in both basketball and track and field. He was a starter on their CIF championship basketball team. Coach Maisano brings an intensity and and love for the game that he hopes to instill in his players. He currently attends Mesa College where he is looking to become a chiropractor/personal trainer.
Jonathon McCaskill
Jonathon McCaskillCoach
Coach Jonathan McCaskill (mick-cas-skill) has been coaching basketball for well over 30 years. He recently coached at Serra High School. He has a history of turning programs around including Clairemont HS where he helped them qualify for the playoffs three years in a row, making the semi-finals two of those years. Continuing the trend at Foothills Christian HS, he took them to the CIF Finals in 2014. Coach McCaskill brings a wealth of experience to the Sol family and the willingness and desire to teach young people the discipline and skills to not only play the game of basketball but excel at the sport. His daughter participated in Sol during her high school years.
Demetrius Murray
Demetrius MurrayCoach
Coach Murray started his basketball journey at 15 years of age. He earned a position on the nationally ranked Riverside Community College team. From there he parlayed his talents into a double scholarship to San Diego Christian College in basketball and cross country. After suffering a serious knee injury, Murray focused on school and work. But his love of the game burned strong so after college he continued to train and play and improve his skills. He earned a position in The Basketball League (TBL) on the Southern Indiana Timberjacks. Coach Murray enjoys giving back to the game by coaching the future generations of players. He has taken on an integral role in the Sol program and brings tremendous energy and excitement to the court.
Jullian Ota
Jullian OtaCoach
Coach Ota has been an integral part in developing and growing our boys program. Coach Ota was the assistant varsity coach at Torrey Pines High School where, during his three-year tenure, they won two Palomar Championship League titles and competed in the California State Playoffs all three years. He also coached at Cathedral Catholic High School. Coach Ota graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Comparative Literature. In high school he was a three-sport athlete (basketball, football and track). In his junior year, he helped lead his basketball team to its most successful season in a decade as the team posted a 22-6 record. As a quarterback, Ota led the team in all-purpose yards and touchdowns in his senior season and was voted team MVP.
Jackie Turpin
Jackie TurpinCoach
Coach Turpin graduated from UC Davis in 2007 where she played basketball for four years, leading the team in assists, rebounds, steals, and points. She won Davis’ Heitman Award as outstanding female athlete of the year in 2006 for her performance not only in basketball but also track and field. She is originally from the San Diego area, having attended Santana High School from 1998-2002, where she led her team to 2 San Diego Section titles and 3 Grossmont League titles. In high school, she received Grossmont League MVP honors in 2002, and in the same year received their Sportsmanship award. She is currently the Head Coach at Cathedral Catholic since 2014 where she has won 2 Open division titles and sent several players to play at the next level.She has also coached youth and high school players at camps and clinics at Maryland, UC Davis, UConn, Stanford, and Berkeley.
Matthew Vaughn
Matthew VaughnCoach
Coach Vaughn played for the 2-time Southern California Champion San Diego Sol men’s professional ABA team. He played professionally in Belgium, China, Germany, Mexico and South America. Vaughn graduated from Colorado Christian University with a degree in Business Management. As a college senior he was pre-season Player of the Year and was selected as 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-American. During his career he set all-time records for most points, assists and steals. He still holds all-time records for assists and steals. Raised in San Diego, Coach Vaughn went to Scripps Ranch High School where he averaged 24.4 points per game as a senior and was recognized as one of the Top Seniors to Watch in California.

Administration

Tony Allen
Tony AllenFounder and CEO
Coach Allen is the foundation of our club. His philosophies and high standards keep all the staff striving to be their best. Coach Allen was the coach of the original San Diego Sol women’s basketball team which compiled a record of 28-3 in the 1997-98 season, including a re-match win against the Chinese Jr. National Team. This Sol team was also the 1997 NWBL Regional Champion and National Runner Up. He has been a personal and sports fitness trainer and coach for over 35 years. His clients and teams have won numerous awards, titles and championships at every level from recreational to the professional.
Amy Cleveland
Amy ClevelandClub President
Coach Cleveland is responsible for the daily operations of the club and directs all new major initiatives. Cleveland was an original member of the Sol women’s team. She played professionally in Germany for two seasons and was the conference’s 3rd leading scorer one of those seasons. She set 21 individual records, including the career scoring record, season scoring record and game scoring record while playing at Claremont McKenna College. She earned Conference honors all 4 years as well as All-American Honors her senior season. Coach Cleveland was inducted into her college’s Hall of Fame.

Consultants

Mark O'Connor
Mark O'ConnorBusiness Consultant
Mark O’Connor was a commercial real estate professional who for more than 30 years specialized in facility and site acquisition and disposition. His experience included real estate development and the marketing of improved and unimproved property for sale and for lease on behalf of local and national clients. He was recognized as a top industrial sales producer. Involved in more than 300 real estate transactions, totaling more than 15 million square feet and more than 1,000 acres of land in excess of $150 million in consideration. Mark was passionate about youth sports, having a son who played club and high school basketball and a daughter who competed on the track and field team for Rancho Bernardo High School. Mark was integral in the acquisition of the new Sol facility in San Marcos. Mark passed away in 2020 after a long battle with cancer. He was a great friend, a compassionate and caring person and we truly miss him.