03/06/2026
The Half Moon Bay Cougars delivered another thrilling performance Thursday night, defeating Sanger West 56–54 at home in the NorCal Quarterfinals. In a game that stayed tight from start to finish, both teams traded baskets and momentum throughout the night, keeping the crowd on edge until the final buzzer.
Senior Gio Garduno-Martin led the Cougars with a standout performance, scoring 31 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. Garduno-Martin consistently came through in key moments, helping Half Moon Bay maintain their composure during several crucial stretches of the game.
Senior Owen Perez also made a major impact, recording a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Perez controlled the boards and provided important second-chance opportunities while helping anchor the Cougars’ defense.
Half Moon Bay faced challenges throughout the game, committing several turnovers that allowed Sanger West to stay within striking distance. Despite the miscues, the Cougars’ energy and relentless persistence kept them battling possession after possession.
In the end, that determination proved to be the difference as Half Moon Bay held on for the hard-fought 56–54 victory.
With the win, the Cougars advance to the NorCal Semifinals where they will host Marysville this Saturday at 7 p.m. at Half Moon Bay High School. The team will look to tighten up their ex*****on as they prepare for another high-stakes matchup with a trip to the NorCal Finals on the line.
