SuHi inducts 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame class

02/19/2026

web.HOF.0V9A5572 — The Sweetwater High School basketball program unveiled its 2026 Hall of Fame class on Jan. 31. Photo by Final Score Photography

The Sweetwater High School basketball program’s Hall of Fame class grew by five more inductees during ceremonies Jan. 31 in the National City school’s gymnasium. The newest members of the elite hall include Jessica Bautista (class of 2011) and April Cadua (class of 2010), Tom Slavinsky (class of 1979), Matt Simmons (class of 1988) and Mendel Nafarrete (class of 1991).

“It was a great night,” Sweetwater boys coach Jesse Aguirre said. “There were a lot of alumni in attendance. Nothing but positive words about this event. These are the nights that make Sweetwater High School special.

“Our principal Joe Lara was in attendance and said a few words at halftime. When we can bring players from the 70s, 80s, 90s, 2010 and 2011, it becomes pretty special. We have added the girls teams to the event a couple of years ago as well. We like to say at Sweetwater One City, One School, One Family!”

Mendel Nafarrete
A 1991 graduate, Nafarrete was a multi-sport athlete, competing in basketball, volleyball and tennis, ASB President and one of 11 valedictorians during that school year. He was the starting point guard on the Red Devils’ 1990 CIF championship team that compiled an outstanding 34-2 record and did not lose to any teams in San Diego County.

After graduation, Nafarrete continued his academic and athletic career at the United States Naval Academy, playing one year in the college basketball program. After graduation from the Naval Academy, Mendel was commissioned as a Naval Officer serving six years in the military before transitioning into the field of education. Over the years, he has worked in various schools throughout the Sweetwater Union High School District initially as a counselor, a site administrator, and currently serving as a program manager in the student services department, supporting students and families to ensure their academic success and well-being.

Tom Slavinsky
Slavinsky graduated from SU-HI in 1979 with academic honors. He was a member for the varsity basketball team for three years and team captain for two years. He was named All-Metro League his junior and senior years. He was also named All-County his senior year. He was also on the varsity football team his junior and senior years. He was team captain his senior year in football. He was also All Metro League for two years in Football and All-County for one year.

He accepted a football scholarship to San Diego State University as a tight end. He graduated with academic honors at SDSU in 1984. Now retired, Slavinsky lives in Carlsbad with his wife Julie. They have two children and three grandchildren.

Matt Simmons
Simmons played three years on the Red Devils varsity, earning. first team all-league honors all three years. He received a athletic scholarship to play basketball at Cal Poly Pomona. In 1990, then transferred to Humboldt State University where he played for two years. In 1992, Matt was honored to receive the MVP team award.

Simmons met his future wife Suzy, who played for the women’s team at Humboldt. They have two daughters together and shared many memories in Humboldt until her passing in 2021.

JESSICA BAUTISTA
Bautista was the 2010 Mesa League Player of the Year her junior year. She followed that up with a first team all-league honors her senior year when she led the Lady Red Devils to the CIF playoffs. In 2012 she played for San Diego Mesa College and helped lead them to a 12-0 perfect season in conference play. In 2014 Jessica graduated from Grossmont College with her AA degree in Behavioral Science.

In 2015 she attended and played for Bethesda University. She started and helped lead the team to a NCCAA Division I National runner-up finish. She was named an NCCAA scholar -athlete.

In 2016 she was once again named a scholar-athlete and graduated with her BA Degree in Early Childhood Education.

April Cadua
A proud Sweetwater 2010 graduate, Cadua started her basketball career playing at the age of 12 and worked her way toward the collegiate level. She was involved in huge wins that gave her the ability and honor to help win a banner her senior year — the first girls basketball banner in 26 years and will forever be a great memory in her life.

Her hard work paid off and was the only female in Sweetwater history to ever receive a basketball scholarship to play out of state. She attended the top academic private school in Kansas, Baker University from 2010-2012. She then transferred to Lindenwood University to finish her Criminal Justice degree in Illinois.

Basketball played a huge role in her life that took her many places and experiences in her career of playing. If she can give one advice to all athletes trying to make their way to the next level. she encouraged to put in the extra work and continue working on their game. April’s brother C.J. is also in the Basketball Hall of Fame and her father Gerry coached for six years at Sweetwater.

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