On March 1st, the San Dimas Boys Basketball team faced Aquinas High School at the Toyota Center for the CIF Southern Section Division 3-A Championship. Despite a 41-59 loss, the Saints played with heart and determination. While the defeat was tough, they still qualified for the state tournament, keeping their postseason hopes alive.
The game started strong, with Angelo Fares knocking down a three-pointer to open the scoring. The first quarter remained a defensive battle, with Aquinas applying full-court pressure in spurts. Luke Chavez tied the game at 9-9 with a layup at the buzzer, but foul trouble struck as Nathan Yearout picked up two early fouls.
In the second quarter, Aquinas ramped up its defensive intensity, forcing turnovers and going on a 13-2 run. San Dimas struggled to respond, and by halftime, they trailed 15-31.
The Saints came out strong in the third quarter, with Fares hitting two three-pointers to spark a run. Defensive stops helped San Dimas chip away at the lead, and Yearout’s three-pointer cut the deficit to 31-43 entering the fourth quarter.
San Dimas kept fighting, and Chavez converted an and-one layup with five and a half minutes left, bringing the Saints within seven points. Aquinas, however, responded with a 5-0 run, extending the lead. Sensing victory, the Falcons finished strong, securing the 59-41 win.
Although the Saints fell short, they advanced to the state tournament, facing Mira Mesa in a thrilling, down-to-the-wire game. Unfortunately, they suffered a heartbreaking 57-60 loss, officially ending their postseason run.
Despite the losses, this season was a huge success. The Saints’ deep playoff push and CIF Finals appearance showed their resilience and potential for the future.
Reflecting on the season, team captain Luke Chavez shared what this journey meant to him: “We didn’t even know if we would qualify for playoffs, but we kept our heads up and won our last two league games to earn that spot. Every game, we took it one step at a time, scouting our opponents and never giving up. This run was special because we played for each other—no one wanted to let their teammates down. As a senior, it was an amazing way to leave basketball because we made history and got to play in a CIF Finals game.”
The Saints may have fallen short this year, but their fight, passion, and teamwork will leave a lasting impact. With the lessons learned from this season, San Dimas basketball is poised for even greater achievements in the years to come.
