From the opening moments, it was clear Thursday night at Northgate was going to be different. The pace was choppy, the energy uneven, and—perhaps fittingly—a horn accidentally sounded during the National Anthem. It turned out to be an early warning: this was going to be a game that required toughness more than touch.
It wasn’t smooth. It wasn’t elegant. It certainly wasn’t artistic.
It was a rock fight.
And sometimes, rock fights still count in the standings.
A Gritty DAL Battle
The Dons traveled to Northgate to face a Broncos team undefeated in DAL play (3–0), in a packed gym following a JV win and a lively crowd. What followed was 32 minutes of physical, low-rhythm basketball that tested patience, toughness, and roles.
The pace was choppy. The shooting came and went. The ball didn’t always move the way coaches dream about.
But the Dons found a way.
Knowing Your Role: Preston Sets the Tone
If this game had a theme, it was understanding who you are and leaning into it.
Preston Hilsabeck embodied that perfectly.
Preston finished the night with an incredible 15 rebounds—and did not take a single shot. Zero. None. A masterclass in doing the dirty work. He anchored the paint defensively, cleaned the glass, and gave the Dons extra possessions all night long.
The guards will (and should) hear about this one: when your center is pulling down rebounds like that, reward him. Pass the ball inside. Keep your head up on drives. Kick it out or dump it down when the double comes.
Still, Preston’s impact was undeniable—and essential.
Bryce Makes His Case
Bryce Mansour continues to make a very persuasive argument for more minutes.
In just 9 minutes, Bryce went 2-for-2 from the field, scored 4 points, grabbed 2 rebounds, and added 2 assists. Efficient. Physical. Confident. The kind of short stint that coaches notice.
That’s how playing time gets earned.
Jon Macleod Crashes the Boards
If anyone thought Preston was the only one capable of rebounding in traffic, Jon Macleod quickly corrected that assumption.
Jon hauled in 9 tough rebounds to go along with 6 points in just 14 minutes, including a huge three-pointer at the end of the third quarter that kept the Dons within striking distance when things were starting to feel shaky.
That shot mattered.
Right alongside Jon’s effort was A.J. Hastings, who quietly delivered a strong all-around game. A.J. contributed 6 points and 5 rebounds, battled through contact, and provided steady minutes in a game that demanded toughness more than flair.
An Off Night for Cam, Still a Team Night
It was an uncharacteristically rough shooting night for Cam Hood, who finished 6-for-21 from the field and 1-for-9 from three-point range. Still, Cam found ways to impact the game, pulling down 7 rebounds and handing out 5 assists, continuing to defend, compete, and stay engaged even when shots weren’t falling.
On a night where rhythm was hard to come by, Cam’s willingness to contribute in other areas mattered.
When It Looked Grim
Despite the grit, the scoreboard wasn’t kind for much of the night. The Broncos carried a 25–20 lead into halftime, and when Northgate pushed the margin to 38–30 with 2:27 left in the third quarter, things felt ominous.
It did not look good for the Dons.
The gym had energy. The margin had grown.
The Dons needed someone to step up.
Gavin Takes Over When It Matters Most
They turned to experience.
Gavin Dodge, a three-year starter, answered the call.
In a critical 60-second stretch, Gavin scored 7 points—including two deep three-pointers from the exact same spot and a free throw—cutting the deficit from 38–30 to 40–37 almost single-handedly. That sequence didn’t just change the score; it changed the belief.
Gavin finished with a team-high 21 points, shooting an outstanding 4-for-5 from three-point range, and delivered the calm, poised performance the Dons needed in a pressure-packed road game.
A Little Luck Never Hurts
The Dons defended, rebounded—and benefited from a Northgate team that went 2-for-24 from three. The Broncos managed just two points in the fourth quarter, the lowest output in a varsity game since before Walnut Creek had more restaurants and boutique fitness studios than stop signs. Contesting shots matters. Rebounding matters. And sometimes, a little luck matters too.
Closing It Out
From there, the Dons executed. Free throws were made. Rebounds were secured. Time was managed. Defensive possessions mattered.
With the win, the Dons extended their streak to three straight victories and completed a perfect 2–0 week in Walnut Creek, quietly turning the city into a second home court—though one suspects this will not be included in the Chamber of Commerce materials.
It wasn’t pretty—but it was effective.
The Dons walked out of Northgate with a hard-earned 56–46 win, knocking off an undefeated DAL opponent and proving they can win in multiple ways.
Sometimes basketball is art.
Sometimes it’s survival.
Thursday night was survival—and it counts just the same.
The Dons will look to keep the momentum rolling Saturday at 2:30 p.m., when they take on McKinleyville in a neutral-site matchup at San Marin High.
Go Dons.
VBBR Has the Best Photographers in the Biz
Finally, a word of thanks to VBBR photographer Jer Hembrador, who once again stayed up until midnight in the darkroom to get these photos processed and delivered in time to meet the Boosters deadline. This level of dedication is precisely why Jer remains the highest-paid photographer in Boosters history—and, as tonight’s images clearly show, worth every penny.
And while Cory Palmer was not in attendance for this one, his work throughout the season continues to elevate the VBBR. A strong photography bench matters too, and VBBR is fortunate to have one.
