Boys Basketball 2025-2026

Season Ends in State Playoffs; Panthers Cap Off Championship-Level Year

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 - Saint Mary’s Boys Basketball season came to an end Tuesday night in the opening round of the CIF State Playoffs, falling 54-40 to top-seeded San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno.

Traveling as the #16 seed, the Panthers faced an early challenge as Memorial jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game. After a timeout by Coach Collins, Saint Mary’s regrouped and responded, sparked by six early points from Miles Woods. The Panthers closed the quarter trailing by just four, 14-10.

The second quarter turned into a defensive battle, with both teams managing only seven points. Memorial carried a narrow 21-17 advantage into halftime.

Coming out of the break, Saint Mary’s delivered its strongest stretch of the night. The Panthers poured in 19 third-quarter points, cutting the deficit to 39-36 heading into the final period and putting pressure on the top seed.

However, Memorial capitalized on Panther turnovers in the fourth quarter, extending its lead and eventually securing a 14-point victory.

CJ Baltrip led Saint Mary’s with 9 points, while Kaethen Dennis, Malakai Kelly, Donovan Mikel, and Miles Woods each finished with 8 points. No Panther reached double figures in the contest.

Despite the loss, the 2025 campaign marked a significant step forward for the program. Saint Mary’s competed in both the TCAL Championship game and the NCS Division II Championship game, continuing its rise under Coach Collins.

In just two seasons, Coach Collins has transformed the Panthers into a state-caliber team. With only two seniors graduating and four starters set to return, the foundation is firmly in place for continued success.

The standard has been set and the Panthers will be back.

Panthers Fall in NCS Division II Championship, Await NorCal Berth

Saturday, February 28, 2026 - Saint Mary’s Boys Basketball fell in the NCS Division II Boys Basketball Championship Saturday evening at University High School, as the Panthers faced a hot-shooting University squad.

From the start of the game, Saint Mary’s had difficulty defending the perimeter. University found its rhythm early from beyond the arc and finished the night with 14 made three-pointers, which created separation throughout the game.

The Panthers also struggled to find consistency offensively, committing 20 turnovers that limited scoring opportunities and allowed University to capitalize on extra possessions.

Despite the tough night, Saint Mary’s had strong individual performances from a pair of players who finished in double figures. Donovan Mikel led the Panthers with 18 points, while Malakai Kelly added 11 points.

While the loss ended the team’s North Coast Section championship run, the Panthers’ season continues. Saint Mary’s will now await the release of the CIF Northern California Regional Basketball Championships brackets to determine their opponent for Tuesday’s opening round game.

More information on game time and location will be announced once the NorCal pairings are released.

Panthers Win Overtime Thriller Over El Cerrito, 70-69

Saturday, February 21, 2026 - In one of the most dramatic games of the season, Saint Mary’s Boys Basketball outlasted cross-town rival El Cerrito High School 70-69 in an overtime classic that featured six players scoring in double figures between the two teams and a buzzer-beating tip-in to force overtime.

The Panthers got off to a slow start, falling behind 2-12 as El Cerrito disrupted Saint Mary’s size advantage and limited inside opportunities. After one quarter, El Cerrito led 16-12. The second quarter was evenly matched, with both teams scoring 19 points, sending El Cerrito into halftime with a 34-31 lead.

Saint Mary’s began to find rhythm in the third quarter, outscoring El Cerrito 15-13 to cut the deficit to two heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter delivered pure drama. With 11.6 seconds remaining and the Panthers trailing by five, junior Kaethen Dennis pushed the ball up the floor and knocked down a running three-pointer with six seconds left. Following an El Cerrito timeout, the Panthers forced a jump ball with 3.4 seconds remaining and the possession arrow in their favor.

Out of the inbounds play, Dennis connected with Malakai Kelly on a give-and-go action. Dennis’ jumper bounced off the rim, but Donovan Mikel rose up to tip the ball in at the buzzer, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and the game into overtime.

In the extra period, Dennis once again delivered, calmly sinking two free throws with 12.4 seconds remaining to give Saint Mary’s a 70-69 lead. El Cerrito’s final possession was disrupted by CJ Baltrip, whose deflection helped seal the victory as time expired.

CJ Baltrip led the Panthers with 20 points. Malakai Kelly added 14, Donovan Mikel finished with 13, while Kaethen Dennis and Miles Woods each contributed 8 points.

With the win, Saint Mary’s advances to host a semifinal matchup Wednesday against #7 San Lorenzo High School, who advanced after upsetting #2 Cardinal Newman High School.

Tip-off is set for Wednesday at home, 7pm start.  Panthers Nation is encouraged to come out and support.

Panthers Pull Away from Pittsburg, Advance to NCS Quarterfinals

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026 - Saint Mary’s Boys Basketball played host to Pittsburg High School in the opening round of the Division II North Coast Section Championships and delivered a commanding 77-60 victory to advance.

The Panthers came out focused but methodical in the first half, building a 34-28 lead by halftime. While the offense showed flashes early, Saint Mary’s found another gear after the break.

In the third quarter, the Panthers began to separate themselves, scoring 22 points while holding Pittsburg to just 15. Defensive intensity and efficient scoring sparked momentum that carried into the fourth quarter, where Saint Mary’s extended its lead to 20 points and ultimately pulled away for the 17-point win.

Donovan Mikel led all scorers with an impressive 27-point performance. CJ Baltrip added 18 points, Malakai Kelly contributed 16, and Miles Woods chipped in 9 points in a balanced team effort.

With the victory, Saint Mary’s advances to the NCS Quarterfinals and will host El Cerrito High School in the next round as they continue their postseason run.

Panthers Earn #3 Seed for Second Straight Year, Draw Pittsburg in NCS Division II

Monday, February 16, 2026 - For the second consecutive season, Saint Mary’s Boys Basketball has secured the #3 seed in the Division II North Coast Section Championships.

The Panthers will face a familiar opponent in the opening round, taking on Pittsburg High School. The two programs met in the second week of January, with Saint Mary’s earning a 66-57 victory.

Since that contest, the Panthers have elevated their level of play, finishing the regular season on an impressive 11-3 run. The late-season surge has positioned Saint Mary’s as one of the top teams entering the Division II bracket.

Offensively, the Panthers are led by three double-figure scorers. Senior CJ Baltrip paces the team at 15 points per game, while juniors Donovan Mikel and Malakai Kelley add 11.8 and 10.8 points per game respectively. The balanced scoring attack has been a key component of the team’s success throughout the season.

With a first-round win, Saint Mary’s will host the winner of McKinleyville and El Cerrito on Saturday.

With momentum, experience, and home-court advantage on their side, the Panthers look poised to make another strong postseason run.

For more bracket information - CLICK HERE

Panthers Power Past Albany, Advance to TCAL Championship

Thursday, February 12, 2026 - Saint Mary’s played host to the Cougars of Albany High School in the TCAL Semifinals with a championship berth on the line. The winner would advance to Saturday’s TCAL Championship game at El Cerrito High School.

The Panthers entered the matchup with confidence, having defeated Albany twice during the regular season; a 48-44 victory on the road and a dominant 48-28 Senior Night win in which Saint Mary’s held the Cougars to just one point in the fourth quarter.

Wednesday night, however, brought a different tempo.

Albany pushed the pace early and took a slim 16-15 lead after the first quarter. Defensive lapses by the Panthers allowed the Cougars to attack the paint and create easy scoring opportunities off penetration and dump-off passes. At halftime, Albany held a narrow 31-29 advantage.

Saint Mary’s responded with key adjustments in the second half. The Panthers tightened their perimeter defense, did a better job keeping the ball in front, and limited Albany to just eight points in the third quarter while scoring 14 of their own. That defensive intensity shifted the momentum, giving Saint Mary’s a 43-39 lead heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter mirrored the third. The Panthers once again held the Cougars to eight points while pouring in 14 more offensively. Down the stretch, Saint Mary’s executed, defended, and controlled the tempo to secure a 57-47 victory and punch their ticket to the TCAL Championship.

The Panthers showcased balanced scoring in the win. Donovan Mikel led all scorers with 15 points, while CJ Baltrip added 12. Malakai Kelley contributed 9 points, and Kaethen Dennis chipped in 8 in a complete team effort.

Saint Mary’s now advances to the TCAL Championship game, where they will face Salesian College Preparatory for the third time this season. The Panthers played the Pride close in their previous matchup and will look to carry this momentum into Saturday’s title showdown. Gametime will be 5:30pm at El Cerrito High School. 

Panthers Finish Regular Season Strong with 48–28 Senior Day Win Over Albany

Thursday, February 5, 2026 - Saint Mary’s closed out the regular season in style, defeating Albany 48–28 on Senior Day at Hagler Court, overcoming a slow start with strong defense and balanced scoring.

The Panthers opened the game sluggishly, scoring a season-low six points in the first quarter. Saint Mary’s found its rhythm in the second quarter, pouring in 19 points to take a 25–19 lead into halftime.

Both teams struggled to find offensive flow in the third quarter, with the Panthers scoring seven points and Albany adding eight. The turning point came in the fourth quarter, where Saint Mary’s defense took over, holding the Cougars to just one point while pulling away for the decisive 20-point victory.

Offensively, the Panthers were led by Kaethen Dennis, who finished with a team-high 12 points. Malakai Kelley and Donovan Mikel each contributed nine points, while CJ Baltrip added eight points as part of a balanced team effort.

With the win, Saint Mary’s wraps up the regular season with a 7–2 conference record and a 17–9 overall mark. The Panthers will enter the postseason as the #2 seed, earning a first-round bye.

Saint Mary’s will await the release of the conference bracket on Monday and will host their quarterfinal matchup Thursday on Hagler Court.

Panthers Battle #9 Amador Valley in Tough Non-League Matchup

Saturday, January, 3, 3025 - Fresh off a 3rd place finish at The Classic at Damien, the Saint Mary’s boys basketball team returned to the court to take on Amador Valley High School, ranked #9 in NCS. The Panthers looked to carry their momentum forward and prove they could compete with the top teams in the section and they did just that.

From the opening tip, Saint Mary’s showed they belonged. Sophomore Mathia Yonas provided an early spark, knocking down two big three-pointers off a stagger set drawn up by Coach Collins. Junior Donovan Mikel added six points in the opening quarter as the Panthers stayed within striking distance, trailing just 13–12 after one.

Offense was harder to come by in the second quarter, as Saint Mary’s scored just seven points. However, strong defensive effort kept Amador Valley from pulling away. At halftime, the Panthers remained firmly in the game, down 23–19.

The third quarter marked a turning point. Saint Mary’s erupted offensively, scoring 22 points in the period while holding Amador Valley to 17. The surge gave the Panthers a narrow 41–40 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The final period featured a back-and-forth battle, with eight lead changes in the quarter alone. With the game hanging in the balance, Amador Valley capitalized on a missed defensive rotation, hitting a wide-open three with 14 seconds remaining. Saint Mary’s had one last look but was unable to convert as time expired.

Final Score: Amador Valley 57, Saint Mary’s 54

Top Performers:

• Donovan Mikel — 14 points

• Malakai Kelly — 12 points

• CJ Baltrip — 11 points

Despite the tough loss, the Panthers showed resilience and the ability to compete with one of the top teams in NCS. Saint Mary’s now turns its focus to league play, as the Panthers open TCAL action on Thursday at home against Bethel.

Saint Mary's Boys Basketball Takes 3rd Place at the Classic at Damien (3-1 Finish)

December 26th - 31st - The Saint Mary’s boys basketball team delivered an impressive showing at The Classic at Damien, finishing the tournament 3–1 with victories over Santiago, Granada, and Valencia, and earning 3rd place overall. The Panthers competed with toughness, depth, and resilience throughout the four-game stretch.

Game 1: Panthers Set the Tone vs. Santiago

Saint Mary’s opened the Damien Classic against a formidable Santiago High School squad that entered the tournament with a 13–1 record. From the opening tip, the Panthers applied relentless defensive pressure and controlled the paint on both ends of the floor.

The defensive intensity fueled transition opportunities and consistent inside scoring, allowing Saint Mary’s to pull away late.

Final Score: Saint Mary’s 67, Santiago 57
Top Performer:

• CJ Baltrip — 25 points

Game 2: Panthers Rally Past Granada in a Thriller

Night two brought one of the most exciting games of the tournament. Saint Mary’s trailed Granada through three quarters but never lost composure. The Panthers battled back to tie the game at 47–47, then seized the lead and held on down the stretch.

Balanced scoring and timely plays proved to be the difference in a hard-fought contest.

Final Score: Saint Mary’s 63, Granada 62
Top Performers:

• CJ Baltrip — 21 points

• Donovan Mikel — 19 points

• Malakai Kelly — 11 points

Game 3: Panthers Fall to Alameda

Riding a two-game win streak, Saint Mary’s faced Alameda in their third contest. The Panthers competed early, trailing just 14–12 after the first quarter and taking a 26–24 lead into halftime after strong second-quarter runs.

In the second half, Alameda capitalized on transition opportunities as Saint Mary’s struggled to slow the ball. Despite staying close through three quarters, Alameda pulled away in the fourth.

Final Score: Alameda 65, Saint Mary’s 49
Top Performers:

• Malakai Kelly — 17 points

• CJ Baltrip  — 16 points

• Jonas Mar — 8 points

3rd Place Game: Panthers Finish Strong vs. Valencia

With a 3rd place finish on the line, Saint Mary’s responded with poise and control against Valencia. The Panthers dictated tempo from the opening tip and carried a five-point lead into halftime.

In the second half, Saint Mary’s pulled away behind strong team play and balanced scoring, securing the tournament’s 3rd place trophy.

Final Score: Saint Mary’s 63, Valencia 53
Top Performers:

• Donovan Mikel — 23 points

• CJ Baltrip — 20 points

• Malakai Kelly — 12 points

Tournament Recap

• Overall Record: 3–1

• Wins: Santiago, Granada, Valencia

• Finish: 🥉 3rd Place at The Classic at Damien

The Panthers showcased grit, depth, and growth throughout the tournament. With strong leadership from seniors and impactful performances from underclassmen, Saint Mary’s continues to build momentum as the season moves forward.

Panthers Tested by Division I Power Clayton Valley

Saturday, December 6, 2025 - Saint Mary’s faced one of its toughest early-season challenges in a non-league matchup against the Clayton Valley Eagles, a Division I program that reached the NCS Championship last season. The Eagles’ disciplined attack and defensive pressure gave the Panthers problems from the opening tip.

Clayton Valley forced Saint Mary’s into constant scrambling on defense, making them defend deep into the shot clock on nearly every possession. Second-chance opportunities and turnovers turned into repeated scoring chances for the Eagles, who capitalized with timely three-pointers and transition points.

Offensively, the Panthers struggled to establish their rhythm. Clayton Valley neutralized Saint Mary’s interior attack, disrupting high–low actions and limiting touches in the paint. Without their usual post presence, scoring opportunities became difficult to find.

Saint Mary’s was held to a season-low 27 points. Junior Donovan Mikel was the only Panther in double figures with 10 points. Malakai Kelly finished with 9, and CJ Baltrip added 6.

The Panthers now turn their attention to tournament play as they travel to compete in the Gridley Invitational, opening against Dublin High School. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM at Gridley High School.

Panthers Finish Christian Brothers Classic with Strong Win Over St. Joseph-Notre Dame

Saturday, November 29, 2025 - Saint Mary’s capped off its final game of the Christian Brothers Classic with a convincing performance, defeating the Pilots of St. Joseph-Notre Dame. The game opened with the Pilots jumping out to a quick 5–0 lead, but once the Panthers adjusted to the size mismatch inside, momentum quickly shifted. Saint Mary’s attacked the post, dominated second-chance opportunities, and seized control of the opening quarter.

Freshman Ellijah McDaniels provided a major spark from the perimeter, knocking down two key three-pointers to keep the Pilots from packing the paint. Junior Miles Woods contributed early around the rim with two putbacks, while senior CJ Baltrip paced all scorers in the first quarter with seven points. The Panthers closed the opening period with a strong 24–12 lead.

Both teams found rhythm in the second quarter, with the Pilots scoring 16 and Saint Mary’s adding 14 to carry a 40–26 lead into halftime. However, the Panthers came out flat in the third, allowing St. Joseph-Notre Dame to cut the lead to six. A late-quarter surge helped Saint Mary’s regain control and maintain separation heading into the fourth.

The Panthers played composed basketball in the final period, maintaining a comfortable 20-point margin for most of the quarter and finishing the Classic on a high note. Three players scored in double figures, including standout performances from juniors Miles Woods and Malakai Kelly, who each contributed 15 points. Senior CJ Baltrip led all scorers with an impressive 21.

Next up, Saint Mary’s travels to San Leandro High School to take on Clayton Valley in the NorCal Ultimate Challenge. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6.

Panthers Open Season With Strong Home Victory Over Ygnacio Valley

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 - The Saint Mary’s boys basketball team kicked off their home opener in impressive fashion, defeating the Wolves of Ygnacio Valley High School, 72–54. Although the Panthers got off to a slow start, their defensive pressure quickly shifted the momentum. Turnovers created by relentless on-ball pressure allowed Saint Mary’s to control the tempo and gradually pull away, sealing the win with a dominant fourth quarter.

Saint Mary’s showcased balanced scoring throughout the night, with four Panthers finishing in double digits. Junior Malakai Kelly and senior CJ Baltrib led the way with 13 points apiece. Junior Miles Woods and freshman standout Marcellus Collins each added 10 points, providing a steady offensive presence.

The Panthers’ depth also played a key role, with sophomore Monty Yonas contributing 9 points and junior Donovan Mikel adding 8 in the victory.

With the season now officially underway, the Panthers turn their attention to their next challenge. Saint Mary’s will face Saint Joseph–Notre Dame this Saturday at De La Salle as part of the Christian Brother Classic.