East County has plenty of soccer programs, but soccer is not every child’s sport.
Some children come alive when they step onto a basketball court. Others need the fast pace or teamwork of volleyball. Some discover what they are capable of while running their first race or competing in their first track meet.
For families looking for that opportunity, Stampede Sports has created something special right here in Lakeside.
As Stampede Basketball begins its 12th season, the program continues to give young athletes a place to learn, compete, build confidence and feel like they belong.
The Heart Behind Stampede
Stampede is led by Darin Curtis, a longtime East County teacher and coach whose influence reaches far beyond a scoreboard.
Darin has been a tremendous mentor to me personally. He is the kind of person who notices potential in kids before they always see it in themselves. That same quality is at the center of the way he teaches and coaches.
In 2011, Darin was named one of California’s five Teachers of the Year and represented California in the National Teacher of the Year program. At the time, he was teaching eighth-grade physical education at Tierra del Sol Middle School in Lakeside.
His philosophy has always been about reaching the students who need encouragement most and using their interests to help them find confidence.
That history matters because Stampede is not simply a place where children are taught how to shoot, pass or run. It is a program shaped by someone who has spent decades understanding how young people learn, what motivates them and how a good coach can change the direction of a child’s life.
Darin also brings extensive basketball experience to the program. He previously served as the varsity head coach at El Capitan High School for 10 years, winning seven league championships and reaching the CIF Finals twice. Today, he leads Stampede’s recreational basketball program and continues developing young athletes throughout the Lakeside community.
A Basketball Program With Room to Grow
One of the things I appreciate most about Stampede is that children do not have to arrive as polished athletes.
The recreational basketball program welcomes beginners and helps them learn the game in an encouraging environment. Younger players begin with age-appropriate instruction, including lowered baskets for first graders.
Children who are ready for a more competitive experience can pursue Stampede’s advanced and elite programs, where the pace, training and competition become more serious.
That gives families options. Your child can start by learning the fundamentals, having fun and becoming comfortable on the court. If their interest and ability grow, there is a pathway for them to continue developing without leaving the program and community they know.
Stampede offers basketball for boys and girls from kindergarten through middle school, with beginner and advanced divisions available for older athletes.
Registration Now Open
Fall 2026 Basketball Registration
The fall basketball season runs from the week of August 24 through October 3.
- Boys practice Monday and Wednesday at Tierra del Sol Middle School.
- Girls and coed kindergarten practice Tuesday and Thursday.
- Games are played Saturday mornings at El Capitan High School.
- Exact practice and game times will be announced by the program.
The cost is $150, which includes the $120 league fee and a $30 uniform when needed.
Register For BasketballVolleyball Is Right Around the Corner
Stampede’s fall volleyball program begins November 2 and continues through December 16.
The coed program welcomes beginner third, fourth and fifth-grade players, beginner sixth, seventh and eighth-grade players, and experienced sixth, seventh and eighth-grade players.
Practices and scrimmages take place indoors at Tierra del Sol Middle School on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Registration is $150 and includes practices, scrimmages and a Stampede shirt. The cost is $140 for returning athletes who already have a Stampede jersey and do not need another one.
Register for Fall 2026 Stampede Volleyball
A Track Season Worth Celebrating
Stampede also recently completed an outstanding track and field season.
Nineteen Stampede athletes advanced to the national championships, an accomplishment that reflects the commitment of the athletes, their families and the coaches who helped them prepare.
Results like that are exciting, but what stays with me is watching young athletes discover their strength. A child may join because a friend is participating or because a parent wants them to try something new. Then they finish a race they were not sure they could complete, improve their personal time or earn the chance to compete nationally.
Those moments build confidence that follows them well beyond the track.
Why I Recommend Stampede to East County Families
Parents are not simply choosing a sport. They are choosing the adults who will influence their children, the environment where they will spend their time and the lessons they will carry home.
Stampede gives beginners a comfortable place to start while providing serious athletes with opportunities to be challenged. Children learn skills, teamwork, responsibility and how to keep going when something does not come easily.
Most importantly, they become part of a local program led by people who care about who they are becoming, not just how they perform.
If your child has not found the right fit in soccer, or they are simply ready to try something new, basketball, volleyball or track may be the opportunity that helps them find their place.
You can learn more about the programs, coaches and upcoming seasons on the official Lakeside Stampede website or follow Lakeside Stampede on Facebook.
East County is stronger when our children have good places to grow. Stampede is one of those places.
Signing off, Valli
Valli Lopez
Founder, Keys With Valli and Discover East County
REALTOR® with Keller Williams · California DRE #01810641
Loan Originator with Mutual of Omaha Mortgage · NMLS #1025894