In a rare and heartwarming convergence, UC Riverside’s men’s basketball team now features three fellow alumni from Pacifica Christian High School, a small but powerhouse program known for both its toughness and its heart.

Dylan Godfrey, Parker Strauss, and EJ Spillman all grew up under coach Jeff Berokoff’s “Agape”-fueled system, and each took a different route to arrive at Riverside, carrying that shared culture with them.

Dylan Godfrey – The Sharpshooting Forward

Standing 6-foot-8 out of Newport Beach, Dylan starred for Pacifica Christian before heading to East Los Angeles College, a prominent JUCO program featured in Last Chance U: Basketball—where he averaged 11.2 points and 4.6 rebounds (shooting over 50 percent from the field and nearly 39 percent from deep).
He then transferred to Canisius University, where in the 2024–25 season, he started 23 games, averaged 8.6 points per game, shot 42.4 percent from the field, 32 percent from three-point range, and 85.2 percent on free throws—capping a promising D-I resume. UCR’s coach said of him, “He has a scrappiness and competitiveness that fits Highlander basketball… I am fired up to help him grow his game.”

Parker Strauss – The Versatile Guard

A three-star prospect, Parker was rated #30 in California and #31 nationally among point guards coming out of Pacifica Christian—where he averaged 11.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.8 steals as a senior, leading the Tritons to a CIF Division II title-game appearance. He began his collegiate career at Northwestern, where he redshirted his freshman year before transferring. In his first UCR season (2024–25), he appeared in 26 games and posted 3.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game, bringing toughness, leadership, and high basketball IQ to the backcourt.

EJ Spillman – The Tritons’ All-Time Scoring & Assist Leader

Pacifica Christian’s all-time scoring and assist king, as well as Daily Pilot Player-of-the-Year, EJ has long embodied the school’s blend of skill and grace—fueled by the foundational “Agape” of love and faith. Though his college journey began at UCR this season, his arrival adds a dynamic playmaker armed with deep familiarity with his fellow Tritons.

Pacifica Christian: A Small School, A Big Impact

Despite its size, Pacifica Christian consistently ranks among the Top 10 programs in Orange County, powered by a culture defined by toughness, love (“Agape”), and unwavering support. Recent seasons have seen records like 23-9 with a 5-1 league mark. Its graduates have gone on to D-I programs across the nation, Gonzaga, Pepperdine, Northwestern, Alabama, Saint Mary’s, South Alabama, Canisius, and now UC Riverside, demonstrating how the Tritons’ ethos propels athletes to excel at the highest levels.

Coach Jeff Berokoff: Building a Program from the Ground Up

When Coach Jeff Berokoff took the helm in 2015, there was no blueprint—only belief. In just 10 years of a program (8 at the varsity level), he has achieved what no other high school coach in Southern California has matched in such a short span—combining elite competitive results, a transformational culture, and an unshakable community identity.

In less than a decade, Berokoff has turned Pacifica Christian into one of the most respected programs in the state, compiling an approximate 172–91 record as varsity head coach. The Tritons have:

• Reached three CIF Southern Section finals
• Captured one CIF State Regional Championship
• Advanced to the CIF State Division II title game in Sacramento
• Won four San Joaquin League championships
• Produced three Coach of the Year awards, including 2017 CIF-SS Division 6 Coach of the Year

But the stat line is just the surface. Ask around, and you’ll hear about the way he develops people, not just players. He is pastoral in presence and relentless in standards: prayer before the work, love inside the work, courage through the work. Players talk about being seen and believed in; parents talk about a coach who shows up in the hard moments. After the 2025 CIF final, his words told you everything about his core: “They played their hearts out… I’d go to battle with these guys against anybody, any day of the week.” Los Angeles Times

Opponents notice it, too—the cohesion, the defense, the buy-in: “They’re playing for one another… we’re hanging our hat on our defense and our toughness,” Berokoff said during another 2025 playoff push, a theme rival coaches have echoed when praising Pacifica Christian’s togetherness. Los Angeles Times+

What makes this unparalleled is the balance—few, if any, programs can claim sustained excellence in all three pillars:

1. Culturally – A foundation built on Agape love, servant leadership, and a relentless pursuit of personal growth. Every player leaves the program a better teammate, leader, and overall person.
2. Competitively – Year in and year out, the Tritons are in the Top 10 in Orange County and competing deep into CIF and State tournaments, regardless of roster turnover.
3. Community-wise – The Triton basketball family has become a rallying point for Pacifica Christian’s campus, alumni, and local supporters, creating a game-day atmosphere and sense of pride unlike any other in the area.

College coaches and athletic directors consistently point to Berokoff’s unique ability to win big while building men of character. As Director of Athletics Brandon Gonzalez says: “I have never seen a coach love his players more than Coach Berokoff. That Agape love is truly shown from the top down.”

Ask his players, and they’ll tell you it’s about more than basketball—it’s about becoming the best version of themselves, on and off the court. Ask his peers, and they’ll say they’ve never seen this level of sustained success from a program so young.

Why This Story Matters

It’s extraordinary when one D-I team features three players all hailing from the same small high school. That alignment speaks volumes about Pacifica Christian’s developmental strength and the chemistry, trust, and mindset those players bring to the court. It’s not just talent; it’s upbringing in a shared vision powered by love, faith, and resilience.

Once a Triton, Always a Triton

For Dylan, Parker, and EJ, the jersey colors may have changed, but the roots run deep. At Pacifica Christian, relationships are built to last—on and off the court. “Once a Triton, always a Triton” isn’t just a saying; it’s a promise. This season, Triton Nation will be cheering them on from Newport Beach to Riverside, proud to see three of our own competing together on the Division I stage and carrying our culture of toughness, love, and Agape into every game.