Bay Area News Group high school basketball predictions: Jan. 21, 2026
The Bay Area News Group high school team is back to predict six more basketball games.
Last week, Darren Sabedra, Christian Babcock and Nathan Canilao did not have a good outing picking games, going a combined 7-11. But that won’t stop the crew from releasing their picks for this week.
All in good fun, of course.
This week, the guys threw in their predictions for three boys basketball games between Salesian and St. Joseph-Santa Maria, Oakland and Oakland Tech and Willow Glen and Pioneer.
Salesian’s game against St. Joseph will have huge ramifications for both teams, especially if the CIF determines the Knights from the Central Section will play in the North, should they make it to the regional playoffs.
Canilao said he believes the duo of Stanford-bound guard Elias Obenyah and uber-athletic forward Carlton Perrilliat Jr. will lead the Richmond school to a victory at the Crush in the Valley Showcase at Napa Valley College.
“That’s probably the best duo, maybe in all of California,” Canilao said.”
On the girls side, the guys picked between Los Altos and Los Gatos, Menlo-Atherton and Half Moon Bay and Dougherty Valley and Monte Vista.
Babcock made it clear that he believes Los Altos is building something special.
“I think this is Los Altos’ year to break this streak to Los Gatos,” Babcock said. “I’m going with the Eagles at home.”
Be sure to check out the video below.
Now, on to the picks:
Round 3 picks
BOYS BASKETBALL
Thursday
Willow Glen (14-1) at Pioneer (11-6), 7 p.m.
Babcock: Willow Glen
Canilao: Willow Glen
Sabedra: Willow Glen
Friday
Oakland (14-5) at Oakland Tech (12-7), 7 p.m.
Babcock: Oakland
Canilao: Oakland
Sabedra: Oakland
Saturday
Salesian (18-2) vs. St. Joseph’s-Santa Maria (22-2) at Napa Valley College, 7:45 p.m.
Babcock: Salesian
Canilao: Salesian
Sabedra: Salesian
GIRLS
Wednesday
Los Gatos (10-5) at Los Altos (14-2), 7 p.m.
Babcock: Los Altos
Canilao: Los Gatos
Sabedra: Los Altos
Friday
Half Moon Bay (12-3) at Menlo-Atherton (12-2), 6:15 p.m.
Babcock: M-A
Canilao: Half Moon Bay
Sabedra: M-A
Dougherty Valley (15-3) at Monte Vista (10-8), 7:30 p.m.
Babcock: Dougherty Valley
Canilao: Dougherty Valley
Sabedra: Dougherty Valley
Round 2 results
Dougherty Valley 72, Livermore 49
Babcock: Dougherty Valley (W)
Canilao: Livermore (L)
Sabedra: Livermore (L)
Archbishop Mitty 66, Bellarmine 47
Babcock: Bellarmine (L)
Canilao: Mitty (W)
Sabedra: Mitty (W)
Bishop O’Dowd 60, California 58
Babcock: O’Dowd (W)
Canilao: California (L)
Sabedra: California (L)
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Menlo-Atherton 54, Hillsdale 30
Babcock: M-A (W)
Canilao: M-A (W)
Sabedra: M-A (W)
Riordan 55, St. Francis 53
Babcock: St. Francis (L)
Canilao: St. Francis (L)
Sabedra: St. Francis (L)
Priory 40, Pinewood 39
Babcock: Pinewood (L)
Canilao: Pinewood (L)
Sabedra: Pinewood (L)
Season standings
Babcock: 6-6
Canilao: 6-6
Sabedra: 6-6