Monday night marked the end of an era: Senior Night at Acalanes. It was the final time this senior class would hear their names announced under the bright lights of their home court for the regular season, and the final time their parents would try—and fail—to play it cool while taking enough photos to crash a cloud server.

The five seniors got the start: Cameron Hood, Julian Hood, Gavin Dodge, Preston Hilsabeck, and Landon Deily.

It was a night full of pride, nostalgia, and just a touch of vanity. Several dads were seen sucking in their guts during the pregame pictures, as if the Boosters newsletter was being sent directly to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue editors.

A huge thank you goes out to Jeannine Palmer and Sheryl Hembrador, who helped make the entire evening memorable for every player and parent in the gym.

The Dons capped the night with a 60–47 win over College Park—a fitting Senior Night result and exactly the kind of performance you want heading into February.  

Gavin Dodge: Senior Stuffing the Stat Sheet

Gavin had another strong all-around game, finishing with:

• 16 points
• 11 rebounds (Yet another double-double)
• 3 assists

He was also very represented in the crowd, including fans who flew in from Oregon, Montana and Wisconsin:

While some people (namely his father) enjoy taking credit for Gavin’s athletic prowess, the truth is the real genetic engine belongs to his mother, Jennifer Dodge—whose competitive soccer background explains a lot of the toughness and motor we see today.

Jennifer now officially earns the 3rd spot on the Boosters Mt. Rushmore, joining Sherrie Quinn and Cory Palmer. While the voting is technically a “committee process,” it’s worth noting that the VBBR author’s vote was less of a selection and more of a survival instinct; 25 years later, he knows better than to leave her off a list of legends. It was both an earned nomination and a survival tactic. Furthermore, the committee acknowledges that the VBBR landing Jennifer remains the biggest romantic upset in history since Julia Roberts married Lyle Lovett.

Preston Hilsabeck: Paint Presence and Old-School Roots

Preston was excellent on Senior Night, doing what he has done all season: controlling the interior with toughness, rebounding, and physical defense.

• 7 points
• 10 rebounds

Preston even showed off his range, connecting on his only 3-point attempt of the night. He got that physicality from his old man—who was doing the same thing years ago at Westminster College.

The VBBR has also uncovered photographic evidence of Brad Hilsabeck in high school looking like he was politely asking for a sandwich rather than calling for the ball—and looking very much like a guy who still shopped in the boys’ department.

Preston, fortunately for the Dons, currently looks much more like the college version of his dad. Did they have a weight room at Savannah High?

Cameron Hood: A Tough Shooting Night, Still a Leader

Cam didn’t have his usual shooting rhythm, but still contributed across the board with 9 points, relentless defensive effort, and the senior composure you need in a final home game. Even when the shot isn’t falling, leadership still shows—and Cam had it all night.

Julian Hood: Defense, Toughness, and Big Minutes

Julian added 6 points (including a clutch three), but his biggest impact was on the defensive end. When Gavin got into foul trouble early, Coach Powers made the adjustment and put Julian on College Park’s best player. Per usual, Julian gave up inches but not ground—using physicality, positioning, and relentless effort to neutralize the bigger Falcon. It’s the kind of work that rarely makes the highlight reel but always shows up on the scoreboard.

And yes, credit where it’s due: those defensive instincts clearly run in the family. Their mother, Sharon Hood, was a standout soccer player back in the day—and Jennifer Dodge wasn’t the only one dominating on the pitch. Anticipation, toughness, timing, and a refusal to back down? All familiar traits.

Landon Deily: Defense, Rebounds, and Family Grit

Landon was a defensive standout on Senior Night, bringing energy and toughness when it mattered most. He finished with 3 key rebounds and physical minutes that steadied the group during crucial stretches.

We have already well-documented the athletic prowess of his dad, Trevor, who famously starred at San Ramon Valley alongside former Los Angeles Laker (and NBA Champion) Mark “Mad Dog” Madsen. But while Trevor was busy running the floor with NBA royalty, Landon’s aggressiveness clearly has a second source. Family lore credits his mom, Cindy, whose tenacity was evident from an early age—she once famously stole the ball from her younger brother and made it very clear he should “smile or else.” That same edge shows up every time Landon steps on the floor.

A.J. Hastings: The “GOAT” Connection

A.J. was an offensive juggernaut once again, finishing with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.

A.J. was competing for the win and for “Best Flow” of the night. This College Park Falcon finished second.

While the basketball world is focused on A.J.’s stats, the football world is still buzzing from the Super Bowl. This brings us to a legendary piece of family trivia: Nate Hastings (Serra High, ’94) spent his high school career in a more “intimate” partnership with the greatest of all time than most people realize. As Tom Brady’s starting center, Nate’s primary job description was having the GOAT’s hands on his backside for every single snap.

They say football is a game of inches, but for Nate and Tom, it was a game of zero personal space. It’s a level of teamwork most of us will never experience.

Final Thoughts

Senior Night always lands a little heavier—for the players, the parents, and the dads trying to look “effortlessly athletic” in the photo line. The Dons honored their seniors the right way: with a win, contributions across the roster, and one last night under the regular-season lights in Lafayette.

What’s Next

Regular season: Signed, sealed, and delivered. The Dons end this chapter at 16–10 overall and 8–2 in the DAL. That record is no small feat given the schedule they just survived—it’s the perfect launchpad for a deep playoff run.  

The regular season is complete, but the real season is just beginning. The Dons enter the DAL playoffs as the #2 seed, earning a first-round bye.  

Thursday Night: DAL Playoffs at Acalanes

• The Matchup: The betting markets have Campolindo coming in for a rematch…

The regular season was the appetizer; the playoffs are the main course. The gym is about to get a lot louder, and the stakes a lot higher. Clear your calendars—it’s time for some February basketball.

Go Dons!

P.S. Shea Stahl had a key 3 pointer late in the first quarter to wake the Dons up!