The North Coast Section office has announced that Dublin High School will host the Division 1 Boys Basketball Championship game against Dougherty Valley in its Sports Complex on Saturday, February 24th at 7:00 p.m.
Dublin earned the opportunity to host as they come into the contest as the higher seed. The Gaels were awarded the #3 seed at the start of the tournament while the Wildcats started the tournament as the #4 seed. Normally, the game would be played at a neutral site such as St. Mary’s College or Cal-State East Bay, but neither facility was available this weekend. Since Dublin is a designated NCS host site which routinely hosts championship events involving multiple schools, it was selected as the host site for Saturday’s affair.
The teams split their two contests during the season which were both played at Dougherty Valley, with the Wildcats knocking off the Gaels 45-32 in the regular season finale. Dublin avenged that loss the following week in the East Bay Athletic League playoffs, coming from behind to defeat Dougherty Valley 64-53. It was by the power of Dublin’s victory in their rematch which allowed Dublin to be seeded higher than Dougherty Valley.
Both teams advanced to Saturday’s NCS Finals by virtue of competitive Semifinal contests. Dublin’s Jalen Stokes hit what proved to be the game-winning 3-pointer with under 12 seconds remaining to help lift the Gaels past #7 seed Liberty 58-55. Meanwhile, Dougherty Valley went on the road to upset the tournament’s top seed Bishop O’Dowd 72-68 to win their NCS Semifinal contest.
Regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s NCS Championship game, both teams have earned the right to compete in the CIF State Basketball tournament which starts next week. Action in the NorCal side of the bracket will begin next Tuesday, February 27th. This will be the 7th consecutive season in which Dublin’s Boys Basketball team has advanced to the CIF State Tournament, which is an ongoing school record for consecutive CIF appearances.
Prior to the Dublin-Dougherty Valley game, there will be an afternoon NCS Championship doubleheader on tap in the Sports Complex. The Division 1 Girls Basketball Championship game between California and Salesian will tip off at 1:00, which will be immediately followed by the Open Division Girls Basketball Championship between San Ramon Valley and Cardinal Newman at 3:00. The facility will be cleared following the Open Division final to get ready for Saturday night’s battle between the Gaels and Wildcats.
Tickets are $13 for adults and $6 for seniors and students and can be purchased here. Saturday’s championship game is expected to be a sell-out, and those planning to attend are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time. Please be advised that EBAL passes, Dublin High ASB stickers, and Dublin High Athletic Booster passes will not be accepted as this is an NCS event.
