North Coast Section boys basketball playoff update: Dublin surges past Liberty for second straight year (2-21-2025)

This time on the road, the Gaels use chemistry, balance, defense to win Open Division opener; San Ramon Valley rolls as well

Dublin boys basketball 65, Liberty 47 highlights 2025.mp4 /

BRENTWOOD, CALIFORNIA — The fact Dublin High School's boys basketball team ended Liberty's season in 2023-24 should have put the Gaels at a disadvantage in Thursday's first-round North Coast Section Open Division game.

It didn't.

It simply didn't matter.

Blessed with loads of talent, but more so a unanimously agreed confluence of chemistry, the Gaels fought off an early surge by the host team to post a thorough 65-47 victory.

A balanced scoring attack led by versatile 6-foot-2 junior guard Jaiden Jones (18 points) and the power play down low by 6-7, 220-pound junior Cameron Anderson, the Gaels (24-5) advanced to the semifinals Wednesday to face top seed De La Salle-Concord, a team they've lost to twice this season, 53-49 and 54-41, the latter just last week in the East Bay Athletic League playoffs.

NORTH COAST SECTION | Round 1 in books

"I'm ready to play them again," Jones said. "We got to get them this time. We're going to game plan, readjust and get ready. You have to go out and conquer."

That was sorta of the plan for Liberty, a newbie to the Open Division, which is the highest level of the seven-division NCS format.

Dublin is a regular to the elite division and didn't panic after falling behind 23-17 early in the second quarter following a 9-0 run by the Lions, who got 18 points from high-flying 6-3 senior Andrew Vixon.

The Lions simply punched back with 14-2 run to close the half.

Everyone got in the act, including 6-3 senior guard Ramir Raymore and 5-11 senior Jordan Morganstein, who opened the rally with back-to-back three-pointers.

Miles Pollard (14 points) hit a jumper and a three-pointer after Ramir Raymore tallied a deuce for the Lions. Anderson (15 points, 12 rebounds) then finished off the half with two free throws and a power deuce in the lane.

Raymore was the fourth and final Dublin player to finish in double figures with 12, but Morganstein contributed all around even though his 3 was the only points he scored.

Dublin largely did it on the defensive end, limiting the Lions to just five points in the fourth quarter to turn this into a rout. The 47 points was 27 below what Liberty averages on the year and 68 under it scored two weeks previous while setting a school record in a 115-38 win over Deer Valley.

"Kind of felt like everyone played a big role tonight," Jones said. "Our team chemistry is so great. We've played with each other for so long, just coming together and believing in each other and just cooperating with one another makes a huge difference."

Vixon, one of just three seniors on the Lions, said he thought the Lions came in a. little nervous. It showed particularly on their perimeter shooting, a place of strength. On Thursday, Liberty made just four three-pointers in 23 attempts.

Liberty 6-3 senior Andrew Vixon is a high flyer, shot blocker and tough rebounder for the 24-2 Lions who have won 40 straight games against BVAL opponents / Photo: Mike Bouffard

"We have a lot of young guys," Vixon said. "We came in a little tense. But we'll come back strong next game."

The good news for the six teams selected to the Open Division is that all advance to the CIF Northern Region championships in two weeks. All teams in the Open also are guaranteed a losers' bracket game to sharpen up for regionals.

Dublin, which opened the season 12-0, responded to every Liberty push and there were several.

"These guys are an absolutely pleasure to coach," Costello said. "We are who we are. We're not going to promote some magic prepartion. I thought our defense was exceptional tonight, we had a lot of guys step up. It was a very good win against a very good opponent."

The next one will be even better.

The Spartans are playing their best ball of the season with three decisive wins last week en route to the EBAL playoff championship, finished off with a textbook 74-44 victory over Dougherty Valley, which subsequently was knocked out of the Open because of a lower MaxPreps computer ranking. Dougherty Valley will now defend its Division I crown as the No. 1 seed.

Miles Pollard with long range 3 to end the third. Giving Dublin 50-42 lead at Liberty. NCS Open. pic.twitter.com/ZLZbvihkHW

— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) February 21, 2025

Jones or the Gaels couldn't be bothered with all that.

They have the monumental task of slaying the Spartans on Concord in six days. That's a lot of layoff for both teams — De La Salle will have 10 days off.

"The first time out, we couldn't make shots and with this team, when we hit shots, we are unbeatable," Jones said. "The second time, we just weren't getting on the glass. We learned from our two mistakes. We're gonna keep going and hopefully win this game."

Dublin’s Jaiden Jones taking over in 3Q. He has 8 of his 13 points. Dublin leads 44-40 at Liberty. Really good game. 1:44 3Q. pic.twitter.com/JtLLXxwn8V

— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) February 21, 2025

Jones, who scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half when the Gaels needed it most, caught his "hopeful" statement and turned it another direction.

"Actually, not hopefully, we are going to win this game."

When told of Jones' promise, Costello cringed and worried about the bulletin board material it might create.

But he also told a couple of stories about Jones and his upstanding character, not to mention his unique athleticism.

It's not nearly confined to Jones, Costello pointed out, which makes it easy to understand why they've won 24 games, why they've been highly competitive even in losses, and why Costello has a bounce in his step, enjoying every moment with this team.

Perhaps it will take a bold statement and stance to manifest a victory over the seemingly invincible Spartans, who might also come in a little rusty.

"We have some time to get ready," Jones said.

San Ramon Valley 77, California 49

When the host Wolves (20-8) get it going, they are perhaps the most dangerous team in the NorCal Open. They sure showed that potential Thursday, getting 21 points from Irvine-bound Luke Isaak, 11 points and nine assists from point guard Mason Thomas, 10 points by Thomas Conley and nine points and nine rebounds from Elliott Conley. (All numbers supplied by Ethan Kassel).

California (23-6) got 12 points from Emeka Ifediora and eight points by Dane Wallace. The Grizzlies will play Liberty in a consolation game on Wednesday.

San Ramon Valley plays Salesian 7 p.m. Wednesday in a semifinal matchup.