Boy's Basketball » Boys Basketball (2024-2025)

Boys Basketball (2024-2025)

Panthers Upset by Patriots in 1st Round of NCS Playoffs 48-43

 

February 19, 2025—On a cold evening on the campus of Saint Mary’s College High School, the Varsity Boys Basketball team began their journey for a North Coast Section (NCS) Title as the come into the Division II bracket as the number 3 seeded team playing host to the 14th seeded Heritage Patriots out of Brentwood, California.

 

Given the difference in seeding, one may expect that the higher seeded team would have no problem taking care of the lower seeded opponent and advancing. However, the Patriots would not let that stop them from advancing to the NCS Quarterfinal Round as they would go on to defeat the Panthers by the score of 48-43. For most of the game, the Patriots showed off their long-range capabilities beyond the three-point arc which proved to be a difference maker in the outcome of the game.

 

In addition, the missed opportunities from the free throw line for the Panthers was also critical in the outcome as the free throw line proved to be an area of struggle for the team.

 

With the loss, the Panthers finish their season with an overall record of 20-10, which is the first time since the 2019-2020 season that the Panthers had 20 or more wins in a season. The team will enter the offseason where they will need to replace six senior players that they will lose to graduation but have a lot to look forward to with a group of young and talented players that will be hungry to return to the playoffs and make a deep playoff run in the 2025-2026 season.

 

Panthers Fall to Pride in TCAL Finals; Look Forward to NCS Playoffs

 

February 15, 2025—On a sunny Saturday afternoon in Downtown Oakland at the Kaiser Center, the Varsity Boys Basketball team squared off against the Salesian Pride for the third time this season to compete for the Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) Championship. This is the first time since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic that the Panthers were in the TCAL Championship game, so the team was looking to finish the job and bring home a league championship banner.

 

However, the Salesian Pride would be too much for the Panthers as they would take full control of the game from start to finish and defeat the Panthers by the score of 71-38, claiming the TCAL Championship victory.

 

Despite the loss, the Panthers will have more basketball to play as they will play host to the Heritage Patriots out of Brentwood, California, in the First Round of the North Coast Section (NCS) Division II playoffs. The Patriots come into this matchup as a #14 seed with an overall record of 11-14, whereas the Panthers come in as the #3 seed in the tournament with an overall record of 20-9. Tip-off is set for Wednesday, February 19th, at 7:00pm.

 

Panthers’ Defense Dominant in TCAL Semifinal Victory vs. Albany

 

February 13, 2025—In their third meeting of the season between these two crosstown rivals, the Panthers and the Albany Cougars squared off with the opportunity to play for the Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) Championship Game this Saturday at the Kaiser Center in Downtown Oakland. The Cougars have had the upper hand over the Panthers this season as they took the season series in both matchups. However, the Panthers would not be denied of victory a third time as they would go on to defeat the Albany Cougars by the score of 53-39, punching their ticket to the league finals.

 

The Panthers defense, as it was against the SPSV Bruins on Hagler Court Wednesday evening, was stifling on this Thursday night as they would hold the Cougars to only 39 points, which would be the lowest number of points they would score in a game all year.

 

The Panthers had a handful of contributors in this semifinal victory—Senior, Jaden Jones, would lead the Panthers in scoring with 15 points; Junior, CJ Baltrip, scored 8 points while recording 12 rebounds; and Sophomore, Donovan Mikel, who has been dominant for the Panthers all season, would record a double-double by scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

 

The Panthers will now look to finish their league playoff run with a TCAL Championship banner but will need to take down the Salesian Pride who beat the Panthers on two occasions this season. Tip-off is set for Saturday, February 15th, at 2:00pm at the Kaiser Center.

 

Panthers Earn 1st Round League Playoff Victory, Advance to Semifinals vs. Albany

 

February 12, 2025—On a cold and rainy evening at Hagler Court, the Varsity Boys Basketball team embarked on their journey towards the Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) Tournament Title as they played host to the St. Patrick-St. Vincent Bruins in their first-round matchup. During the regular season, the Panthers and Bruins split both matchups with the Panthers winning the first game decisively by the score of 89-53 back on December 10th, and the Bruins beat the Panthers in a much closer battle by the score of 65-59 back on January 16th.

 

In this third edition of the Panther versus the Bruins, it would be the Panthers who would prevail and earn their trip to the TCAL Semifinal Round, winning by the score of 53-41.

 

The Panthers’ defense was impressive to start the game as they held the Bruins to only 5 points in the first quarter, and then only giving up 6 in the second quarter. The Panthers would use that to their advantage offensively as they would but up 26 points in the first half to take a 26-11 lead into halftime. The Panthers would then build on their 15-point lead by scoring 17 points in the third quarter to extend their lead to 43-21 going into the final quarter of the game.

 

In a final act of desperation, the Bruins would put up 20 points in the fourth quarter to cut into the Panthers’ lead, but it would be too little, too late as the Panthers would defeat the Bruins by the score of 53-41. Senior, Tremaine Moore III, finished his night with 12 points; Junior, CJ Baltrip, finished with a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds); and Sophomore, Donovan Mikel, led the team with 16 points on the evening.

 

The Panthers will have a quick turnaround as they will return to action on Thursday, February 13th, when they travel across town to take on the Albany Cougars in the TCAL Semifinals. The Panthers dropped both contests to the Cougars during the regular season and will look to make the third time a charm, and punch their ticket to Saturday’s TCAL Championship game at the Kaiser Center in Downtown Oakland. Tip-off this Thursday is set for 7:30pm.

 

Panthers Dominate Season Finale; Beat Freedom 64-44

 

February 8, 2025—In the final game of the 2024-2025 regular season, the Varsity Boys Basketball game looked not only to cap it off with a bang but also end a three-game losing streak before entering the Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) Tournament. In fact, the Panthers would have no problems fulfilling that as they would defeat the Freedom Falcons by the score of 64-44.

 

With the victory, the Panthers not only head into postseason play with momentum on their side, but they finish the regular season with an overall record of 18-8, which is five wins better than a season ago when the program went 13-13.

 

The Panthers know that they will host their first TCAL Tournament game on Hagler Court this coming Wednesday, February 12th. However, they will have to wait and see who prevails in Tuesday night’s matchup between the Pinole Valley Spartans and the Vallejo RedHawks. Whoever wins that matchup will take on the Panthers on Wednesday night at 7:00pm.

 

Panthers’ Comeback Bid Falls Short to Albany

 

February 4, 2025—With only one week left in the regular season, and looking to get off their two-game losing streak, the Varsity Boys Basketball team traveled to take on their crosstown rival, the Albany High Cougars, with hopes of not only getting back in the win column, but also to build momentum heading into postseason play. This matchup would also be an opportunity for the Panthers to exact revenge against Cougars after their first meeting of the season where the Cougars overcame a 17-point deficit against the Panthers to win by the score of 63-59 back on January 10th on Hagler Court.

However, despite these aspirations, the Panthers would find themselves on the losing side of this second meeting as the Cougars would go on to win by the score of 69-63. What was problematic for the Panthers was that they found themselves in a hole that would be too difficult to climb out from as the Cougars would jump out to a 24-point lead and never look back.

 

The Panthers would make a run at a comeback late in the game, but it would be too little, too late. With the loss, the Panthers now fall to 6-6 in league play, and an overall record of 17-8.

 

The Panthers will wrap up the regular season this Saturday, February 8th, when they travel to Oakley, California, to take on the Freedom Falcons. Tip-off is set for 4:00pm.

 

Panthers Come Up Short in Close Battle with Salesian

 

January 30, 2025—With an opportunity to get back on track following their lose to the Jesse Bethel Jaguars this past Tuesday evening, the Varsity Boys Basketball team looked to take down their longtime rival, the Salesian Pride, in what would become the program’s biggest home game of the regular season this year. Also, with this showdown being the final regular season home game for the Panthers, the team also celebrated Senior Night prior to the game where they honored six seniors—Jonathan Fernandez, Jaden Jones, Ahmad Gabriel, Marcus Perkins, Ethan Harris, and Tremaine Moore II—for their four years of dedication and commitment to the program.

 

Following the pregame festivities, the Panthers and Pride squared off in front of a jam-packed crowd on Hagler Court. With the team feeding off the energy of the crowd, the Panthers jumped out to an early lead until the Pride would force turnovers and get into fastbreak opportunities, leading to a pivotal scoring run that gave them a 1-point lead at the half.

 

With the game still up for grabs, the Pride would build off of their strong finish to the first half as the team would continue to force the Panthers into tough possessions and capitalize on turnovers, giving themselves a double-digit lead halfway through the 3rd quarter and that they would ultimately hang on to, defeating the Panthers by the score of 61-50.

 

The Panthers will now have a few days off to reflect and figure out how to get back on track before they hit the road to take on their crosstown rival, the Albany High Cougars, on Tuesday, February 4th. Tip-off is set for 7:00pm.

 

Panthers Fall to Jaguars By 3; Await Salesian on Thursday

 

January 28, 2025—With the team currently on a four-game win streak, the Varsity Boys Basketball team looked to make it five in a row as they traveled to Vallejo, California, to take on the Jesse Bethel Jaguars in critical Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) matchup. Also, it was also critical in a sense that the Panthers did not look past this game and focus on their Thursday evening home game against the Salesian Pride. In their first meeting back in December at Hagler Court, the Panthers defeated the Jaguars by the score of 70-60. Even though the Panthers had hopes of completing the season sweep, it would be the Jaguars that would take down the Panthers by the score of 64-61.

 

With the loss, the Panthers now drop to 4th place in the TCAL standings with a 6-4 league record sitting behind Salesian, Albany, and now Jesse Bethel. In regards to their overall record, the Panthers now sit with an overall record of 17-6. Despite the loss, the Panthers got a valiant effort from their Sophomore standout, Donovan Mikel, who would record a double-double (29 points, 14 rebounds) on the evening.

 

The Panthers will need to shake this one off as they get ready for arguably their biggest regular season game yet where they will host the Salesian Pride on Thursday, January 30th, at 7:00pm. In their first meeting at Salesian High School, the Pride defeated the Panthers by the score of 64-50 thanks to their second half outburst that game. In addition, this will also be the Panthers’ Senior Day game where they will honor six of their Senior players prior to the game—Jonathan Fernandez, Jaden Jones, Ahmad Gabriel, Marcus Perkins, Ethan Harris, and Tremaine Moore II—for their four years of hard work and dedication to the program.

 

Panthers Earn 22-Point Over Spartans, Improve to 16-5 On Season

 

January 23, 2025—On a cold Tuesday evening at Hagler Court, the Varsity Boys Basketball team took on the Pinole Valley Spartans in their second meeting of the season and hoping to complete the regular season sweep of the Spartans. In their first meeting of the season in December, the Panthers cruised to a 74-38 victory.

 

Now, in this second installment between the Panthers and Spartans, the Panthers would go on to defeat the Spartans by the score of 85-63 to earn the season sweep and improve to 16-5 on the season. The Panthers got strong performances from a variety of players, including Sophomore, Malakai Kelley, who would led the Panthers in scoring with 20 points; Sophomore, Donovan Mikel, who arguably has been the most consistent player for the team this year, scored 15 points; and, lastly, Junior, CJ Baltrip, would go on to score 19 points in the victory.

 

The Panthers will now have a day to rest up before returning to non-league play when they take on Fortune Early College Prep at the Crush of the Valley Event at Contra Costa College in San Pablo, California, this Saturday, January 25th. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00am.

 

Panthers' 25-Point Victory Snaps 3-Game Losing Streak

 

January 18, 2025—After dropping their third straight game this past Thursday evening to the St. Patrick-St. Vincent Bruins on Hagler Court, the level of desperation was at an all-time high for the Varsity Boys Basketball team as they looked to snap their losing streak against the Granada Matadors in the Miramonte High Martin Luther King Classic.

 

In fact, the Panthers would have no problem in doing just that as they would dominate from start to finish, defeating the Matadors by the score of 80-55. The Panthers took advantage of turnovers that they forced on the defensive end, cashing in on prime scoring opportunities. In addition, the Panthers got remarkable performances from Senior, Jaden Jones, who led the team in scoring with 17 points; Sophomores, Donovan Mikel and Malakai Kelley, would both score 13 and 10 points respectively to help lead the Panthers to their 25-point victory.

 

The Panthers will return to league play when they travel to Vallejo to take on the Vallejo RedHawks. In their first meeting of the season, the Panthers defeated the RedHawks on Hagler Court by the score of 60-48, so the RedHawks will be looking to even the score with the Panthers. Tip-off is set for Tuesday, January 21st, at 7:00pm.

 

Panthers Slow Start Proves Detrimental in Six-Point Loss to Bruins

 

January 16, 2025—With the Varsity Boys Basketball team returning to Hagler Court for the second straight game following their defeat to the Albany Cougars last Friday evening, the Panthers were looking to return to the win column in Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) play as they played host to the St. Patrick-St. Vincent (SPSV) Bruins. This was the second meeting between the two teams as the Panthers defeated the Bruins earlier in the season by the score of 89-53.

 

However, unlike the first meeting, the Bruins would be the team that would come out victorious by the score of 65-59. At the start of the game, the Bruins would take advantage of the slow start by the Panthers, going up quickly in the first quarter by the score of 18-2. The Panthers would make strong runs to overcome their slow start, but it would be too little, too late as the Bruins would pull away with the win.

 

The silver lining of the game was that three Panthers would finish the game in double figures. Senior, Tremaine Moore, would score 13 points on the evening; Junior, CJ Baltrip, would finish the game with 11 points; and Sophomore, Donovan Mikel, would put up 14 points.

 

The Panthers will look to return to the win column when they travel to Miramonte High School in Orinda, California, to take on the Granada Matadors in the Miramonte Martin Luther King Jr. Classic. Tip-off is set for 2:00pm.

 

Panthers Dominant Start Spoiled by Cougars Comeback

 

January 10, 2025—On a Friday evening at Hagler Court on the campus of Saint Mary’s College High School, the Varsity Boys Basketball team played host to their crosstown rival, the Albany High Cougars, with an opportunity to get back in the win column following Tuesday night’s defeat to the Salesian Pride.

 

The Panthers would have a very fast and impressive start to the game thanks to their press defense, forcing turnovers, generating high percentage shots offensively that they would cash in on, giving them a 17-point lead at halftime. The Panthers looked to put the game out of reach in the second half, but the Albany Cougars would make the second half adjustments they would need on both the offensive and defensive side of the court to overcome the 17-point deficit and defeat the Panthers by the score of 63-59.

 

With the defeat, the Panthers now move to 13-4 on the year, and 4-2 in Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) play. The Panthers will look to put not only this game, but this week behind them in preparation for next Thursday’s home game against the St. Patrick-St. Vincent Bruins. The Panthers beat the Bruins by the score of 89-53 in their first matchup of the season back in December. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00pm.

 

Pride’s Second Half Proves To Be Too Much for Panthers

 

January 7, 2025—In this highly anticipated matchup between two longtime rivals and two of the top teams in all of North Coast Section (NCS), the Varsity Boys Basketball team traveled to Salesian High School to take on the Pride with hopes of coming away with a huge victory to kick off the New Year.

 

However, it would ultimately be the Pride who would prevail as they would defeat the Panthers by the score of 64-50. However, the first half of the game proved to be a back-and-forth affair as the Panthers and Pride would finish the first quarter tied at 15 and then would finish the second quarter with the Pride only up by two points heading into halftime. However, when the second half started, the Pride had a third quarter that they desperately needed, outscoring the Panthers by 11 points, and putting the Panthers in 13-point deficit with the score being 52-39 in favor of the Pride.

 

The Panthers would score 11 points in the fourth quarter, but it would be too little, too late as the Pride would go on to earn the 14-point victory.

 

The silver lining for the Panthers was that Senior, Jaden Jones, and Sophomore, Donovan Mikel, would score in the double digits as they both would score 10 and 15 points respectively.

 

The Panthers will return home to Hagler Court this Friday, January 10th, when they take on the Albany High Cougars in what will be another highly anticipated matchup as the Cougars will come in with an overall record of 10-3. Tip-off is set for 7:00pm.

 

Panthers Wrap Up Damien Classic on Winning Note, Beat Millikan 78-59

 

December 30, 2024—On the final day of the Damien Classic in Southern California, the Varsity Boys Basketball team wrapped it all up with a 78-59 victory over the Millikan High Rams of Long Beach, California.

 

Three of the Panthers scored in double figures to help propel to victory—Junior, Cj Baltrip, had 10 points on the day; Senior, Tremaine Moore II, recorded a double-double as he would record 15 points and 11 rebounds; and Sophomore, Donovan Mikel, who arguably was one of the best players in the tournament, recorded a double-double of his own as he would record 25 points and 17 rebounds.

 

With this victory, the Panthers finished with a 2-2 record at the Damien Classic and showed that they belonged with the best programs in all of California.

 

The Panthers will now have a week off to rest and recuperate before they travel to Richmond on Tuesday, January 7th, to take on the Salesian Pride in what will be another chapter in this long-time rivalry. The Pride currently sit with a 12-1 record and are ranked in the Top 25 in the state of California. Tip-off is set for 7:00pm.

 

Mikel’s Last Second Heroics Propels Panthers Over Gladiators

 

December 27, 2024—After suffering their first loss of the season on Thursday night against the Pasadena Bulldogs in their first game of the prestigious Damien Classic, the Varsity Boys Basketball team not only had a quick turnaround but also had an opportunity to return to the win column against the Gahr Gladiators of Cerritos, California.

 

Similar to how their first matchup went against Pasadena, this matchup against the Gladiators was also a very close, back-and-forth affair with both teams trading buckets and hitting critical shots throughout the course of the game. However, no shot would be as clutch as the one off the hands of Sophomore, Donovan Mikel, in the final seconds of the game. With the Panthers trailing 59-57 with three seconds left, Senior, Jaden Jones, would find Mikel in the corner on an inbound play underneath the Gladiators’ basket where Mikel would ultimately hit a game-winning three-pointer to give the Panthers the 60-57 victory.

 

With the victory, the Panthers now improve to 12-1 and will play the Metairie Park Country Day Cajuns of Louisiana on Saturday, December 28th, at San Dimas High School in the Damien Classic. Tip-off is set for 2:00pm.

 

Panthers Lose First One of the Year to Pasadena 67-63 in 2OT

 

December 26, 2024—In their first-round matchup in the prestigious Damien Classic Tournament in Los Angeles, California, the Varsity Boys Basketball team looked to extend their undefeated record to 12-0 with a win over the Pasadena High Bulldogs. However, it would not be the Panthers’ night as the Bulldogs would defeat the Panthers by the score of 67-63 in double overtime, giving the Panthers their first loss of the season.

 

This matchup proved to be a very close and exciting one as both teams would exchange leads throughout the game. The Panthers had the lead after the first quarter by the score of 13-6, but then the Bulldogs would finish the first half with a 23-20 lead after scoring 17 points in the second quarter to the Panthers 7 points. In the second half, Pasadena would follow up their impressive second quarter with yet another 17-point third quarter, giving them a 40-33 lead heading into the fourth. However, the Panthers would erupt with a 17-point quarter of their own to tie the game at the end of regulation at 50-50.

 

In the first overtime period, the Bulldogs and Panthers would trade off baskets and ultimately finish that period with a 60-60 tie. In the second overtime period, the Bulldogs would be the ones who would have little bit more left in their tank as they would earn the 67-63 victory.

 

Despite the loss, the Panthers got a 31-point effort by Sophomore, Donovan Mikel, to give the Panthers a chance to win.

 

The Panthers will return to action on Friday, December 27th, when they play the Gahr High Gladiators at San Dimas High School in the Damien Classic. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30pm.

 

Panthers Top Jaguars in Close TCAL Showdown 70-60

 

December 20, 2024—On a Friday evening at Hagler Court with hopes of extending their undefeated league and overall records, the Varsity Boys Basketball team played host to the Jesse Bethel Jaguars in what turned into one of the Panthers closest games yet. In fact, the Panthers found themselves trailing at the half by two points, giving the team their first taste of adversity of in what has been an already impressive start to the season.

 

However, the Panthers would have no issues overcoming that adversity as they would take full control of the second half to defeat the Jaguars by the score of 70-60. The Panthers were able to take advantage by forcing numerous turnovers thanks to through their press defense and then utilizing offensive mismatches down in the low blocks to score easy two-point baskets.

 

The Panthers got strong performances from Sophomore, Donovan Mikel, who was force down low and beyond the three-point arc; Senior, Jaden Jones, who hit big shots late in the second half to help preserve the Panthers lead; and Senior, Jonathan Fernandez, who crucial three-point shots as well.

 

With the victory, the Panthers improve their overall record to 10-0, and their league record to 4-0 which is best in the Tri County Athletic League (TCAL).

 

The Panthers will return to action on Saturday, December 21st, when they travel to San Rafael, California, to take on the Marin Academy Wildcats. Tip-off is set for 2:30pm.

 

Panthers Dominant in Victory over Spartans; Improve to 8-0 on the Year

 

December 17, 2024—On a chilly evening on the campus of Pinole Valley, the Varsity Boys Basketball team looked to their four-game week on a great foot over fellow Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) opponent, the Pinole Valley Spartans.

 

In fact, the Panthers would not disappoint in that regard as they would go on to defeat the Spartans by the score of 74-38 in a dominating fashion. This victory gives the Panthers a league record of 3-0, and an overall record of 8-0.

 

The Panthers will now return to Hagler Court this Thursday, December 19th, when they play host to fellow Lasallian sister school, the Justin-Siena Braves. The Braves last season finished with an overall record of 28-4, a 1st place finish in the Vine Valley Athletic League, went on to win the North Coast Section (NCS) Division IV title, and made it to the Regional Semifinal Round of the Division III NorCal Playoffs before being eliminated. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00pm.

 

Panthers Improve to 6-0 With Blowout Victory Over Bruins

 

December 10, 2024—On a cool evening on the campus of Saint Patrick-St. Vincent High School in Vallejo, California, the Varsity Boys Basketball team looked to not only start off on the right foot in Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) play, but also improve their undefeated to 6-0.

 

In fact, the Panthers would do just that as they would crush the Bruins by the score of 89-53. The Panthers had a variety of scores with Senior, Jonathan Fernandez, leading the way as he would score with 22 points on the evening. In addition, Senior, Jaden Jones, and Junior, CJ Baltrip, would each score 13 points; and Senior, Tremaine Moore III, would add 11 points as well in the blowout victory.

 

The Panthers will now have a few days off in preparation for the next home game this Friday, December 13th, when they take on the Vallejo RedHawks. The game is set for a 7:00pm start.

 

Panthers Cruise to 81-45 Victory Over Pirates, Improve to 3-0

 

December 3, 2024—Following their first two games of the season where they were dominant, the Panthers traveled to San Leandro High School to take on the Pirates in the Varsity Boys Basketball Team’s first road game of the season. In fact, the Panthers would have no issues whatsoever as they would defeat the Pirates by the score of 81-45, improving to 3-0 on the season.

 

Sophomore, Donovan Mikel, would lead the way for the Panthers as he would record his first double-double of the season, scoring 24 points and recording 10 rebounds. He would also add on 4 blocks and 3 steals as well. Senior, Jonathan Fernandez, would score 15 points, also playing a major role in the Panthers dominant victory.

 

The Panthers will now have a quick turnaround as they will play host to the Fremont Tigers of Oakland, California, tomorrow evening at 7:00pm.

 

Saint Mary's Impressive Win Over the Warriors of McClymonds High School.
 
November 30, 2024—The Varsity Boys Basketball Team showcased a dominant performance against a very good McClymonds High School Team. Saint Mary's would display enormous pressure, forcing the Warriors into numerous turnovers early and often. This pressure allowed the Panthers to come out strong and create a comfortable lead in the first quarter.
 
Jonathan Fernandez with 3 of his 14 points
Senior Jonathan Fernandez with a 3-pt shot
This continued pressure helped Saint Mary's increase their lead in the second quarter.  In fact, the Panthers would go into half-time with a 19-point lead (49-30).  Seniors Jonathan Fernandez and Ahmad Gabriel lead the way with seven and eight points, respectively.
 
However, McClymonds would not go away quietly as they would increase pressure in the third quarter, causing the Saint Mary's to commit unforced turnovers.  The Warriors would make a run late in the third quarter, cutting the Panthers lead to 10 points. Demarrion Gardner and Josiah McCombs would score 15 of the Warriors' 20 points in that quarter.  

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Warriors would keep it close. In fact, at one point, they cut into the Panthers' lead to seven. However, it would be too little, too late for the Warriors as the Panthers would close the game out strong, pushing their lead back to 13, ultimately giving them the 73-63 victory.

Four Panthers would score in double figures with three Panthers scoring 14 points each as Tremaine Moore II, Jonathan Fernandez, and Donovan Mikel would do just that. Ahmad Gabriel would chip in with 10 points of his own as well. Notably, Jaden Jones added 9 points, hitting crucial three-pointers late in the game to help the Panthers earn the victory.

With the victory, Saint Mary's moves to 2-0 on the year and will hit the road for the first time this season as they will take on the San Leandro Pirates. Tip-off is set for Tuesday, December 3rd, at 7:00pm.
 

Panthers Begin Marshall Collins Era with Decisive Season-Opening Win

 

November 22, 2024—In the first home game of the year and the first game to begin the Marshall Collins era at Saint Mary’s College High School, the Varsity Boys Basketball team were nothing short of spectacular as they would cruise to a decisive season-opening victory over the Head Royce Jayhawks by the score of 77-43.

 

The Panthers proved to be the much stronger of the two teams, especially offensively, defensively, and in transition creating fast break opportunities that they would ultimately take advantage of. In addition, three of the Panthers big men had fantastic season debuts to remember as Senior, Tremaine Moore III; Junior, CJ Baltrip; and Sophomore, Donovan Mikel, would combine for 49 of the Panthers 77 points.

 

The Panthers will now have a week off with the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday but will return to Hagler Court for a matchup with the McClymonds Warriors on Saturday, November 30th. Tipoff is set for 2:30PM.