Bay Area News Group high school basketball predictions: Jan. 7, 2026
The high school basketball season is in full swing.
And so is the Bay Area News Group basketball show.
After a long and grueling football season, Darren Sabedra, Christian Babcock and Nathan Canilao are back to talk hoops, hoops and more hoops. And of course, the guys will make their weekly picks.
With the East Bay Athletic League’s opening night happening on Friday, the crew discusses who they are taking in a battle between No. 12 Dublin and No. 6 California. California is coming off its biggest win of the season when the Grizzlies knocked off No. 3 St. Ignatius. Despite that, we all believe Dublin will pull off an upset in San Ramon, especially after the Gaels defeated No. 19 Valley Christian with half of their team out with sickness.
“Something about this Dublin team … they just play hard and they’re ferocious,” Canilao said.
Elsewhere in boys hoops, undefeated Westmont will get a tough challenge on Thursday when the Warriors go up against 11-1 Willow Glen. The Rams opened BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division play with a comfortable 68-60 win over Leigh on Tuesday and Sabedra believes that will be the difference in this game.
“I think Willow Glen getting a league game under its belt tonight against Leigh, which traditionally is a very solid program, I think that will get them ready for Thursday’s game,” Sabedra said.
On the girls side, all eyes will be on a matchup that will pit the state’s top two teams on Saturday night at Mater Dei. Archbishop Mitty, with Iowa commit McKenna Woliczko back in its lineup, will play Ontario Christian – MaxPreps’ top-ranked team in the country.
The Knights are a perfect 18-0 and routed Carondelet over the weekend to the tune of a 51-point blowout. But Babcock believes this Mitty team has what it takes to take home a win.
“I think as a team, Mitty is excited for this,” Babcock said. “They got their superstar back and they feel like they have what they need to compete with anyone. I think they’re going to win this game.”
Be sure to check out the video below.
On to the picks …
PICKS FOR WEEK OF JAN. 7, 2026
BOYS BASKETBALL
THURSDAY
Westmont (11-0) at Willow Glen (11-1, 1-0), 7 p.m.
Babcock: Westmont
Canilao: Westmont
Sabedra: Willow Glen
FRIDAY
No. 12 Dublin (12-4) at No. 6 California (9-7), 7 p.m.
Babcock: Dublin
Canilao: Dublin
Sabedra: Dublin
No. 4 Bellarmine (9-2, 1-0) at No. 2 Archbishop Riordan (8-1, 1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Babcock: Riordan
Canilao: Riordan
Sabedra: Riordan
GIRLS BASKETBALL
FRIDAY
No. 2 San Ramon Valley (12-2, 1-0) at No. 3 Carondelet (13-3, 4-0), 7:30 p.m.
Babcock: San Ramon Valley
Canilao: San Ramon Valley
Sabedra: Carondelet
SATURDAY
No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (11-1, 1-0) vs. Ontario Christian at Mater Dei, 12 p.m.
Babcock: Mitty
Canilao: Ontario Christian
Sabedra: Ontario Christian
No. 14 Salesian (6-5, 1-0) at No. 3 Pinewood (9-0), 3 p.m.
Babcock: Pinewood
Canilao: Pinewood
Sabedra: Pinewood