An Assist Would’ve Helped: Varsity Boys Fall to University High

In a Saturday afternoon rematch that felt all too familiar, the Acalanes Dons once again came up short against University High, falling 82–60 in Bambauer Classic action at Marin Catholic. As was the case in the first meeting two weeks ago, University’s execution, shot-making, and discipline proved decisive over 32 minutes.

There were individual bright spots—most notably from Cameron Hood—but the larger themes of ball movement and defensive execution ultimately told the story.

Cam Hood Leads the Way

Cameron Hood delivered an excellent offensive performance and was the clear bright spot for the Dons. Cam finished with a team-high 27 points, shooting 7-for-15 from the field, 3-for-7 from three-point range, and a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line.

He attacked the basket with confidence, knocked down timely shots, and consistently put pressure on the defense. On a night when offense was otherwise hard to come by, Cam carried the load.

Gavin Dodge Does the Dirty Work

Gavin Dodge turned in a gritty double-double, finishing with 13 points and 11 tough rebounds, accounting for nearly half of Acalanes’ 23 total rebounds. He also added 2 assists and battled all night on the glass.

It wasn’t his most efficient shooting night (4-for-12 from the field), but Gavin’s physicality and effort kept possessions alive and prevented the game from getting away early.

The Numbers That Matter

Now for the uncomfortable part.

For a varsity basketball team, finishing a 32-minute game with just 7 assists and 14 turnovers is simply not a recipe for success. There is only one basketball, and it has to move better.

To put it plainly:
I’ve seen hockey games with 7 assists.

Acalanes struggled to create advantages through ball movement, too often settling for contested shots or quick looks. Outside of Cam’s 3-for-7 from deep, the rest of the team combined to shoot 1-for-14 from three-point range.

Julian Hood added 6 points on 3-for-7 shooting, but consistent offensive flow was difficult to establish, especially against a well-organized University defense.

Defense Wins (or Loses) Games

At the high school level, one of the clearest paths to winning is slowing down the opponent’s best player. In this area, the Dons struggled.

University’s #5 controlled the game from start to finish, scoring 32 points while playing with confidence and edge. The Dons never found a consistent defensive answer, allowing him to get comfortable early and stay comfortable.

As a team, University shot the ball exceptionally well—11-for-25 from three-point range—and nearly perfect from the free-throw line, going 19-for-20. When a team shoots it like that, defensive lapses become magnified quickly.

Final Thought

This loss wasn’t about effort alone—it was about execution. Winning games at this level requires connected offense, disciplined defense, and shared responsibility on both ends of the floor.

The Dons competed, but competing isn’t enough against teams like University. The ball must move. The defense must tighten. Everyone has to be connected.

The good news? Another opportunity is right around the corner.