Students are looking forward to watching the school’s annual March Madness tournament unfold, March 17-28, where teams of players compete against each other for the number one spot.

“March Madness is an opportunity for students, friends and basketball enthusiasts to compete head to head in a two-week tournament, to not only be appointed the title of the ‘2025 El Camino Real (ECR) March Madness Champions,’ but to enjoy a thrilling game with their peers,” student council planner junior Sage Bellisi said. ‘It’s called “March Madness’ for a reason, it’s intense, fast-paced and is exciting for both the players and the audience.”

The tournament is in imitation of the Division 1 single elimination style National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament that happens yearly during March. The school’s version of the tournament is between 14 teams, each with five to seven players. 

“I chose to play because we just had a group of friends that played basketball and we wanted to have some more competition to look forward to,” senior Jayden Morita said. “I’m [mostly excited] to play with my friends.”

Students with passions for basketball and excitement to compete with their peers formed their own teams, each with their own unique names, including “Airball City,” “Glorious,” “Beijing Ducks” and more. Starting the competition, teams competed beginning March 17 on the physical education (P.E.) blacktop during lunch, with the teams “200 Pump” and “Duke Dennis Elite” getting first round bypass.

“March Madness is not just a competition, it’s a question of our basketball capabilities,” sophomore Landon Iby said. “It’s a great competition.”

The tournament is bound to bring a high level of competition between all the players as the whole school shifts its attention to the games. In past years, many students have crowded around the blacktop and cheered for the players. The whole event brings new feelings of excitement and school spirit, especially with the final game taking place March 28.

“I’m most looking forward to the hype that surrounds the games themselves such as the cheering, clapping and bonding,” student council planner junior Dylan Barajas said. “This year, the final champions are [also] awarded with personalized trophies that they can take home and keep as a memory.”

There are high expectations for the energy and school spirit during the final game taking place between the final two teams in the gymnasium. Student council has planned awards for the winners, accessories for spectators and an exciting halftime show put on by the step team. For the entire tournament, the student council has worked hard to ensure the whole event will be successful. 

“I am most looking forward to seeing all of the hard work that was put in truly come to life and I anticipate many excited students and staff [coming to watch],” Bellisi said. “[March Madness] is an activity for all students to gather together and enjoy an annual game with their friends. Whether watching or playing, it brings people who love sports and others who just want to cheer on their friends together.”