Boys Varsity Basketball: From 24–4 to Hold-On City—Dons Survive Central Catholic in Bambauer Finale

The fourth and final game of the Bambauer Classic had everything: hot shooting, a runaway start, creeping dread, a white-knuckle finish—and a reminder that no lead is ever truly safe.

On December 30, Acalanes faced the Central Catholic Raiders of Modesto (whose nickname, the Raiders, remains one of high school sports’ more curious branding decisions—since pillaging and conquest are not typically covered in Religion class), and for the opening stretch, it looked less like a competitive basketball game and more like a shooting clinic.

The Dons blitzed Central Catholic with a stunning 24–4 start, raining threes from every corner of the gym. As the lead ballooned, the collective mindset of players, coaches, and parents shifted accordingly—from “play solid basketball” to “Are we getting to 100?” and “Where exactly are we celebrating when we do?”

But basketball, like life, has a sense of humor.

A Comfortable Lead—and a Quick Reality Check

With a commanding early advantage, the Acalanes coaching staff opened the second period with a less experienced lineup—partly to give valuable live-game experience and, if we’re being honest, likely because the lead felt secure.

Central Catholic had other ideas.

Coming out of a tongue-lashing from their coach, the Raiders stormed into the second quarter with renewed energy and purpose. In a matter of minutes, the once-comfortable 22-point lead shrank to 15, with the scoreboard reading 31–16 just three minutes into the period.

The message was clear: this game was far from over.

When the Conversation Changed

Central Catholic continued to claw its way back into the game, chipping away possession by possession. By halftime, the Dons’ lead was down to just eight points at 39–31, and the earlier chatter about triple digits had grown noticeably quieter.

By the fourth quarter, that chatter had vanished entirely.

With two minutes remaining, the Dons’ lead was down to just four points, and the vibe had shifted entirely. The moment felt eerily familiar—like that Super Bowl when Tom Brady and the Patriots erased a massive deficit after trailing the Falcons 28–3. No one in black wanted to be on the wrong side of history.

Balanced Scoring, Better Ball Movement (With Receipts)

The difference this time?
Acalanes responded—and did so together.

The Dons moved the ball far better than in previous games, producing balanced scoring and timely baskets when the pressure mounted. Even better, the numbers reflected it: 18 team assists against just 9 turnovers, a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio that is highly correlated with winning basketball.

In short: sharing the rock works.

Gavin Dodge finished with 19 points, shooting 7-for-14 from the field, including an extremely impressive 4-for-5 from three-point range. It was no surprise that Gavin was later named All-Tournament, a well-earned honor after four demanding games.
Cameron Hood added 18 points, going 5-for-13 from the field and 4-for-11 from beyond the arc, while also dishing out 3 assists.
A.J. Hastings delivered one of his most complete games of the season, scoring 17 points on 5-for-10 shooting, including 4-for-7 from three-point range, and led the team with 7 assists—matching the entire team’s assist total from the recent loss to University.
Clearly, A.J. is reading the Varsity Boys Basketball Report (VBBR) and doing something productive with the information.
Julian Hood chipped in efficiently, going 2-for-5 from the field (1-for-2 from three) and adding 3 assists.

Preston Hilsabeck: Strength, Skill, and a Little History

Lost in none of this was Preston Hilsabeck, who posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while also adding 3 assists.

He also unveiled a couple of beautiful spin moves in the post—reminiscent of his father, Brad Hilsabeck, a four-year starter and two-time All-Conference selection at Westminster College in Missouri.
Don’t bother Googling it—this was before the advent of film.

The VBBR staff also did a bit of investigative journalism to explain why Preston is so comfortable guarding taller, heavier opponents—and uncovered a photo of a much younger Preston honing his craft, shorts pulled up to his sternum, just like his dad taught him.

When the Dons needed toughness, patience, and strength, Preston delivered.

Closing Time

After Central Catholic pulled within striking distance, Acalanes made the necessary plays—free throws, defensive stops, and clutch shots—to close out a 76–67 win and end the tournament on a high note.

No 100-point celebration.
No premature party plans.
Just a valuable lesson learned—and a win earned the hard way.

Putting the Record in Perspective

The Dons now sit at 6–7, which doesn’t sound great at first glance. But context matters.

Acalanes has played one of the toughest schedules imaginable and entered the season with just one returning starter. Growing pains were expected. The experience gained against elite competition should pay dividends as the Dons head into the meat of the Diablo Athletic League schedule in January, already 1–0 in league play after the hard-fought win over Benicia.

Final Thought

The Bambauer Classic was a roller coaster, but it ended with growth: better ball movement, shared scoring, and resilience under pressure. Sometimes the most valuable wins aren’t the blowouts—but the ones where you have to hang on for dear life.

And sometimes, surviving is just as satisfying as celebrating.

VBBR Credit Where It’s Due

The Varsity Boys Basketball Report is very much not a one-man operation. Enormous thanks go to our tireless photographers, Jeremy Hembrador and Cory Palmer, whose outstanding work elevates this from “a dad with Wi-Fi and opinions” to something approaching legitimate journalism.

Without their photos, this would just be another web blog. With them, it has somehow become the most widely read Acalanes Boosters account—and a publication that continues to push the boundaries of high school sports coverage, particularly in the emerging beat of opposing-coach fashion analysis.

Fortunately, it’s also about basketball.