SUNNYVALE — Dropping two of its last three regular season games was not the momentum push North Salinas High coach Alan Green had hoped for.
In fact, it not only cost the Vikings a potential share of the Cypress Division boys basketball title, but put their playoff hopes in question.
The postseason has been a new lease on life for North Salinas, who for the second time in 24 hours, knocked off a higher-seeded team Saturday in the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs.
This time it was the unseeded Vikings going on the road and stunning No. 6 seed Homestead of Sunnyvale 66-65 to advance to the quarterfinals next Tuesday at No. 3 Carlmont.
With 19 wins on the season, this is the best season at North Salinas since winning 21 games in 2008, where it reached the CCS Division I quarterfinals before falling to Bellarmine.
“This is an amazing group of young men on and off the court,” Green said. “We love having fun, celebrating and experiencing the joy of playing together. I can’t wait to see if we can continue to get better on Tuesday.”
North Salinas advanced to Saturday’s second round after upsetting Salinas 52-47 on Friday. Jayden Guevara led the Vikings attack with 17 points against Homestead, while Romeo Williams chipped in with 16.
Division IV
Carmel 60, Gonzales 25: The difference between the Gabilan Division and the Cypress Division was exhibited as the Padres posted a 35-point win over Gonzales in the Division IV second round.
Sebastian Rieser led Carmel, who finished seventh in the Gabilan Division, with 19 points. Don Desai added eight points, while Carter Lloyd and David Spencer each finished with seven.
The Padres (9-16) will travel to No. 2 seed Menlo on Tuesday in the quarterfinals.
Gonzales, who won its first playoff game since 2020 in beating KIPP of San Jose on Friday, finished the season 13-13.
Marina 75, Gunderson 49: Champions of the Mission Division, the Mariners opened the Division IV playoffs with a 26-point decision over Gunderson of San Jose.
The win sets the stage for a peninsula showdown on Tuesday when the No. 5 seeded Mariners visit No. 4 Pacific Grove at 7 p.m. in the quarterfinals.
The two teams haven’t faced each other since 2024, when Marina posted a 62-55 win.
The Mariners (19-7) have won four straight games, while Pacific Grove finished the Gabilan Division season with four straight wins to even its record at 12-12.
Kaleb True ignited Marina with 22 points, while Darrian Kelly finished with 16 and Nate Kombe nine.
Division I
Evergreen 53, Alisal 47: The Trojans bid for an upset was in full swing in the first half before Evergreen rallied to advance into the Division I quarterfinals.
“I’m proud of my boys for playing with heart,” Alisal coach Jose Gil said. “We don’t quit. We don’t stop. I’m going to miss our eight seniors. They gave us four years of dedication and commitment.”
Alisal finished the season 11-14 overall, with Gil going over 400 wins earlier this year.
Girls
Division I
Salinas 65, Evergreen 42: The Cowboys have earned a rematch with Los Altos after opening the Division I playoffs with a 23-point decision over Evergreen.
No. 5 Salinas (20-6) and Los Altos met in the season opener with the No. 4 seeded Eagles prevailing 54-47. The two will get reacquainted on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Calleigh Panziera and Soraya Hernandez-Alonzo each had 15 points for the Cowboys, who have won five of their last six games.
Division II
Soledad 44, Christopher 43: Playing in the Gabilan Division in the regular season is paying dividends for the Aztecs, who won their second game in 24 hours to advance to the Division II quarterfinals.
Aliyah Velarde led three players in double figures for Soledad (16-10) with 15 points. Delylah Ocampo and Atiana Landeros each finished with 10.
Seeded No. 9 in the tournament, the Aztecs will visit top-seed Valley Christian of San Jose (9-15) on Tuesday.
Division III
North County 34, Live Oak 30: The Condors turned to their defense to tame host Live Oak and advance to the Division III quarterfinals.
Runner-ups in the Mission Division to Palma, North County has won 18 games for the second straight year. It will face top seed Mills on Tuesday.
Division IV
Terra Nova 64, Pacific Grove 45: The Breakers season came to a halt, falling in the second round to No. 8 seed Terra Nova in the Division IV playoffs.
Olivia Rudoni had 15 points for Pacific Grove (8-18), who played in the Gabilan Division this past season. Kylee Killian added 10 points.
Stevenson 68, Jefferson 51: The Pirates earned a rematch with No. 2 seed Scotts Valley in the quarterfinals after blowing out Jefferson of Daly City.
The No. 7 seeded Pirates (13-12) faced Scotts Valley in a sportsmanship game back in late November.
The Falcons won their second straight Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League title and are 24-1 on the season.
Kobe Crutcher collected 24 points and six rebounds for Stevenson, while Jessie Chen finished with 21 points. Kamora Winfield chipped in with seven points and five boards, while Anna Bates and Periyanna Luckett combined for 12 points.
