Before we get to the basketball, some geography—and a little history—are required.
Where the heck is McKinleyville?
If you answered “somewhere near Eureka,” you are technically correct.
If you answered “a four-hour-and-twenty-minute drive north of Marin County,” you are correct and wondering whether Google Maps is playing a prank on you.
McKinleyville is a small town on California’s far northern coast, just north of Eureka in Humboldt County. It was named in the late 19th century for President William McKinley, during a period when naming towns after sitting presidents was apparently considered both patriotic and a sound real-estate strategy. For the historical record, President McKinley stood just 5’7”, did not play basketball, and instead enjoyed fishing, hunting, ice skating, and swimming as a young man—activities that, while admirable, would not have helped him guard a modern varsity wing.
Today, the area is known for redwoods, fog, dairy farms—and, depending on who you ask, possibly where your local pot dealer is sourcing his highest-quality product. Allegedly. The VBBR reports; it does not investigate.
What McKinleyville is not known for is regularly facing the kind of basketball speed, pressure, and physicality the Panthers encountered Saturday afternoon at the MLK Showcase at San Marin High.
To be fair, McKinleyville arrived with a very respectable 13–6 record, which on paper suggested this would not be a cupcake. But records, like Yelp reviews, require context.
Those 13 wins came against a schedule featuring Arcata, Eureka, Del Norte, and several schools whose geography suggests strong academics but not necessarily a deep varsity basketball rotation. That distinction mattered. A lot.
Reality Check, Early and Often
It became clear early in the first half that McKinleyville was dealing with a level of speed, physicality, and defensive pressure they simply hadn’t seen before.
They couldn’t stay in front of Cam’s quickness.
They struggled with Julian’s defensive intensity.
They were late reacting to A.J.’s vision.
And they had no real answer for the physicality of Preston and Gavin.
By halftime, the scoreboard read 44–26, Acalanes, and the McKinleyville faithful were already beginning to mentally prepare for that long, quiet drive back north—with a bus full of sweaty, sad Panthers players.
This game also marked another data point in what is quietly becoming a trend: the Dons have now won six of their last seven games. After an unforgiving early-season schedule packed with elite competition, the dividends are starting to show. The game feels slower. Roles are clearer. Physicality no longer surprises them.
Yes, the Stars Starred (Again)
For the sake of completeness—and because the box score insists on it—the usual suspects did what they do:
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Cam Hood poured in 24 points, adding 3 assists
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Gavin Dodge added 20 points, along with 9 rebounds and 3 assists
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A.J. Hastings chipped in 9 points and 5 assists, consistently keeping the offense organized
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Julian Hood defended, facilitated, knocked down a three-pointer, and also dished out 5 assists
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Preston Hilsabeck was once again a force in the paint, finishing with 7 points and 4 rebounds
As a team, the Dons totaled 20 assists, an excellent number and a strong indicator that the ball was moving the way the coaching staff wants it to.
All of that has been well covered by the Varsity Boys Basketball Report. So rather than rehash familiar ground, let’s talk about what else stood out.
The Other Stuff (That Actually Matters)
Some of the most encouraging moments from this game came outside the box score leaders.
Shea Stahl demonstrated incredible quickness and toughness, finishing with 2 steals and 2 rebounds. Call him Shea Steal if you’d like—the nickname isn’t official, but the impact was very real. Watching Shea in this one, you got the sense that his number will be called more often as the Dons head into the heart of the DAL season.
Bryce Mansour was again unselfish, physical, and relentlessly team-first. In just 9 minutes of action, Bryce tallied 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists, the kind of efficient, mistake-free contribution that quietly helps teams win.
The fourth quarter also gave fans a look at the Dons’ depth and composure. Justice Hembrador handled point guard duties admirably, showing poise, protecting the ball, and consistently finding open teammates. He did so despite being hit by one of the more egregious illegal screens since Bill Laimbeer laced them up for the Pistons in the 1980s.
Sam Phillips had a strong drive to the hoop (pictured above), absorbed contact, and calmly converted at the free-throw line. Evan Palmer got in the mix as well, providing tenacious defense and good ball movement as the Dons closed the game out.
Evan Palmer pictured above. I believe the youngsters call this “mean mugging”
Jon Macleod continued his strong recent stretch on the glass, corralling 4 rebounds and reinforcing that Preston is not the only Don willing to do the dirty work inside.
Late in the game, Aakash Agarwal and senior Landon Deily (pictured above) provided a physical, high-energy presence in the frontcourt. Each scored four points and battled on the glass, helping the Dons finish the game the right way.
Landon’s strong performance brought back memories of his father, Trevor Deily, who once dominated the hardwood for the San Ramon Wolves alongside teammate Mark Madsen, now the head coach of the Cal Bears.
As for Aakash, he delivered perhaps the best post move the Dons have shown all season—driving through the lane, spinning quickly, and finishing with feathery touch as his left-handed layup dropped softly through the net, and his jersey was tucked in!
That lasted approximately three defensive slides before the fabric once again liberated itself. Scientists remain baffled, though early theories suggest a rare combination of footwork, torque, and sheer effort that no waistband was ever meant to withstand.
Perspective Matters
McKinleyville is a good team with a strong record and a long bus ride home. Acalanes is a team that has spent the last few weeks playing—and beating—high-level Diablo Athletic League opponents. Those realities collided on Saturday afternoon, and the result was decisive.
The Dons steadily pulled away in the second half and closed out a convincing 74–54 victory, another sign of a team growing more comfortable with who it is and how it wants to play.
The Dons didn’t just win.
They handled their business.
And that’s what good teams do when they’re finding their stride.
What’s Next
Next up for the Dons is a tough Monday test at 5:15 p.m., when they travel to face Oakland High. The Wildcats are a tremendous program, having thumped Campolindo earlier this season and lost to De La Salle by just two points. It’s exactly the kind of challenge that will reveal how real this recent surge is.
If the early-season gauntlet taught the Dons anything, it’s that nights like Monday are opportunities—not obstacles.
Go Dons.
P.S. (Because Details Matter)
For those still thinking about President McKinley: at 5’7”, he ranks as the fourth-shortest U.S. President. He nevertheless towered over Martin Van Buren (5’6”), Benjamin Harrison (5’6”), and James Madison (5’4”). At the other end of the spectrum stands Abraham Lincoln, the tallest president at 6’4”. This is the kind of deep, unnecessary research you, the reader, deserve—and precisely why you keep coming back to the VBBR.
Late in the game, for reasons unknown, Coach Powers showed Gavin his favorite dance move.
Boosters does not allow VBBR to comment on officiating crews that take themselves too seriously so we will refrain from doing so. Nor will we explain that an official should not call a time-out when Team A has the ball and a player on Team B suffers an injury.