Boys Basketball Earns Record 8th Consecutive Bid to the CIF State Tournament

The Dublin High School Varsity Boys Basketball team earned its 8th consecutive appearance in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Tournament with its selection into the North Coast Section Open Division playoffs.

After finishing the regular season with a 23-5 overall record, the Gaels earned the #4 seed in the Open Division, which is the highest possible division consisting of the 6 best schools within the NCS regardless of enrollment-based divisions. The 23 wins by the Gaels was the most since 2019 in the regular season, and regardless of what transpires in the NCS playoffs, Dublin is guaranteed entry into the CIF Northern California playoffs as all 6 Open Division teams automatically qualify.

Dublin began its current run of CIF Nor Cal appearances in the 2016-2017 season and has not missed the tournament ever since. The 8 consecutive seasons of earning a NorCal bid is not only an ongoing school record of success, but is believed to be one of the longest runs of NorCal appearances among any public high schools in the entire state of California. In addition, the Gaels have appeared in the prestigious NCS Open Division in 4 of the 5 years it has existed, which is also among the highest of any school in the Section (public or private).

The 1st Round of the NCS Open Division Playoffs is TONIGHT (Thursday, February 20th) as Dublin goes on the road to face #5 seed Liberty at 7:00. As the higher seed, Dublin would normally have the opportunity to host, but the Lions were Bay Valley Athletic League champions which gives them the right to host the opening round of the playoffs. This would be a rematch of a thrilling Division 1 Semifinal the two teams played last season which the Gaels won in the final seconds.

If Dublin prevails, it will go on the road to face De La Salle in the NCS Semifinals on Wednesday, February 26th. Dublin has traveled to face De La Salle on two other occasions this season, losing 49-53 in the regular season and 41-54 in the East Bay Athletic League tournament last Wednesday.

With a loss, Dublin would play the loser of the other Open Division 1st Round contest between California and San Ramon Valley in a consolation game. The Gaels split its games with the Grizzlies, winning 54-45 in a preseason tournament and dropping its EBAL contest 60-61 in overtime. Dublin lost to San Ramon Valley in their only encounter.