In the final game before Christmas, the Acalanes Dons were hoping to carry momentum from Friday night’s hard-earned league-opening win at Benicia. Instead, they came away with a lump of coal in their stocking, falling 51–47 Saturday afternoon to a tough Archie Williams squad — formerly known as Sir Francis Drake High for those still adjusting to the 2019 rebrand.
Less than 24 hours after a physical road win, Acalanes never quite found its footing. The Dons came out flat, struggled to establish rhythm on both ends, and spent much of the afternoon playing from behind. Archie Williams executed well offensively and defensively, building a 33–20 halftime lead that put Acalanes in catch-up mode the rest of the game.
A Bright Spot: Jon MacLeod
If there was a clear positive to take from the afternoon, it was Jon MacLeod, who delivered a virtuoso performance in limited minutes. In just 11 minutes of action, Jon went 2-for-3 from three-point range, grabbed 7 rebounds, and added 2 assists.
He played with confidence, energy, and physicality, impacting the game every time he stepped on the floor. It was a performance that looked very much like the Jon many remember from the summer — and one that will no doubt earn him more playing time moving forward.
Another Strong Performance: A.J. Hastings
A.J. Hastings continued his strong stretch of play, leading the Dons with 12 points while shooting efficiently, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. A.J. remained aggressive, spaced the floor, and helped fuel Acalanes’ late push.
On a day when scoring was at a premium, his composure and shot-making stood out.
Julian Hood: Quietly Efficient
Julian Hood turned in an efficient and steady performance, scoring 9 points on 4-for-6 shooting. Julian made smart decisions and finished opportunities within the flow of the offense — an important contribution on a challenging offensive night.
Preston Hilsabeck: Solid and Steady
Preston Hilsabeck provided stability and physicality inside, scoring 7 points on 3-for-5 shooting, including his lone three-point attempt, while collecting 6 rebounds. Preston battled on the boards and delivered reliable minutes throughout.
Late Push Falls Short
To their credit, the Dons did not fold. After trailing by double digits most of the game, Acalanes showed resilience, tightening defensively and cutting the deficit to a single possession late.
Down 48–47 with under 30 seconds to play, the Dons had chances, but couldn’t convert. Archie Williams closed the game at the free-throw line, and a final three-point attempt fell short as time expired.
A Tough Truth
It’s difficult to win close games when both of your leading scorers have off nights, and that was the case Saturday. Cameron Hood and Gavin Dodge, so instrumental the night before, weren’t able to find their usual rhythm, and the offense never quite flowed consistently.
Shot selection also played a role. Acalanes finished 8-for-26 from three-point range, and while several good looks simply didn’t fall, there were moments when added patience might have produced better opportunities.
The loss drops the Dons to 4–5 on the season, placing the team at an important juncture. From here, they can dwell on a missed opportunity — or they can dig deep, recommit to playing together, and grow from it.
Time will tell.
Up Next
The Dons return to action on December 26 at 11:00 a.m., taking on a tough San Domenico team at Marin Catholic.
A chance to reset, regroup, and head into the new year the right way.
Go Dons.
Editor’s note: This recap contains no references to rat-tailed players or coaches wearing form-fitting clothing — topics the author learned the hard way are, in fact, third-rail material.
