After an intense semifinal game, the Mission San Jose High School boys’ basketball team stepped back onto their home court to battle for the chance at the Division V finals game at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center.
The team has been making history winning their high school’s first ever North Coast Section championship after beating Rancho Cotate’s team, 46-40.
The Mission Warriors have done the unprecedented as they pushed through the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) championship tournament for a chance to bring home a division V state title.
On Tuesday, March 10, the Warriors faced off against San Marin High School regional finals. Mission is no stranger to San Marin. In the North Coast Section (NCS) tournament, the Warriors beat San Marin in the semifinals, 49-45, before winning the NCS title.
San Marin began the game with the energy for revenge, completing nearly all shots on basket and getting the early lead. Mission’s #23, Joseph Standfield, shot back-to-back three pointers along with #1, Nikhil Cidambi, tying the game at 16-16. After a defensive steal, the Warriors took the lead for the first time in the game.
In the second quarter, San Marin lost their touch on the ball, repeatedly missing shots. In the last 50 seconds of the quarter, Mission blocked two Marin plays, leaving Mission in the lead at halftime, 29-23.
Entering the second half, Mission widened their leading gap with free-throws, reaching a 10-point lead, 38-28. However, San Marin began to draw closer.
The final quarter of the game began at a tense 38-35, Mission still gripping the lead. However, San Marin changed their defensive game plan, double teaming strong Warriors players, leaving them little room for a good shot at the basket.
San Marin was given multiple calls and free-throw shots, allowing them to gain a divide on the scoreboard, until Mission’s five-point deficit grew into 10 by the final buzzer, 56-46.
The buzzer signaled the end of the road for Mission San Jose. However, the Fremont team has still made history earning their school’s first-ever NCS Division IV championship win, a nine-game winning streak and etching their name into the regional finals round.
On their social media, the team shared their appreciation to their fans saying, “Thank you to everyone who supported us all season and helped us make Fremont history. (1st NCS, 2nd NorCal) The support from our school and community meant everything to our team. Biggest crowd Mission has ever seen.”
