It was first-place Clayton on Friday night,With the Dons in second, ready to fight.But the opening spree,Went 28–0, you see—Proved the race for the top wasn’t tight. We were shorthanded, that much is clear,Missing Cam and Preston, oh dear.But Clayton came fast,And the die was soon cast—The beating was frankly severe. They’re ranked twenty-sixth in the state,And gave a beating…
Acalanes delivered a gritty, high-energy road performance Monday afternoon, battling through a physical game and executing late to earn a 48–42 win over Campolindo in a tightly contested rivalry matchup. Acalanes set the tone early, jumping out to a 16–9 lead in the opening quarter behind aggressive defense and strong rebounding. Campolindo responded to keep the game tight heading into…
For something to remain a true rivalry, both sides have to win their share. And, to be blunt, Acalanes hadn’t held up its end of that bargain against Campolindo in a while. In fact, the Dons’ last win over the Cougars came back in 2017. The last time Acalanes beat Campolindo, TikTok hadn’t been invented and the iPhone X was…
Acalanes came out strong Friday afternoon and set the tone early, earning a 50–37 win over Alhambra despite nearly half the squad out with injuries or illness. While only suiting up 8, Acalanes wasted no time establishing momentum, jumping out to a 20–7 lead in the opening quarter behind active defense and efficient shot-making. The Dons continued to apply pressure…
Two stars of the night: Dunking Landon Deily and Coach Ric Shepard Before getting to the basketball, a bit of context. Martinez is one of those towns that quietly carries more history than it lets on. Incorporated in 1876, it was an important Gold Rush–era trading and shipping hub, thanks to its location along the Carquinez Strait. Over the years,…
Acalanes delivered a dominant performance on Monday afternoon, pulling away early and never looking back in a 69–31 win over Las Lomas. Acalanes set the tone in the opening quarter, jumping out to a 15–5 lead behind strong defensive pressure and efficient shooting. The offense stayed balanced in the second quarter, matching Las Lomas 15–12 to take a 30–17 advantage…
The Dons played at Oakland High on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It was a difficult night on the scoreboard, and not one that needs analysis here. Instead, we pause to reflect on the words of Dr. King, whose legacy reminds us that how we respond to adversity—on the court and off it—matters more than the result itself. “We must…
Acalanes picked up a 45–36 win on the road at Arroyo on Saturday, pulling away in the fourth quarter after Arroyo closed the gap coming out of halftime. Acalanes set the tone early, taking a 13–10 lead after the first quarter behind steady ball movement and disciplined defense. The Dons continued to control the pace in the second quarter, outscoring…
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,…
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…