Napa Valley, Calif. — The 10th annual Crush in the Valley basketball showcase tipped off Friday night at Napa Valley College with an instant classic, as Albuquerque Prep edged Mode Prep (Washington) 82–79 in a dramatic, down-to-the-wire opener.
Mode Prep controlled much of the first half, pushing the tempo and heading into the locker room with a slim 45–44 halftime advantage. Zuby Toms set the tone early for Mode with aggressive drives and perimeter scoring, keeping Albuquerque on its heels through two quarters.
The momentum shifted decisively in the third period.
Behind the poised and physical play of Brandon Mason Jr., Albuquerque Prep came out of halftime locked in on both ends of the floor. Mason Jr. scored and facilitated during a key run that swung the game, helping Albuquerque build a seven-point lead entering the fourth quarter.
Mason Jr. finished with a team-high 21 points and seven rebounds, but his biggest contributions came in the closing moments. With the game tied 79–79 and 0.9 seconds remaining, Mode Prep was assessed a technical foul after calling a timeout it did not have. Mason Jr. calmly stepped to the line and knocked down all three free throws, sealing the victory in one of the most unusual — and dramatic — finishes of the season.
Albuquerque Prep showed impressive balance throughout the night.
- Caden Miller added 16 points,
- Carter Basquez chipped in 15, and
- Kaiden Clayborn also finished with 15, giving Albuquerque four players in double figures.
Despite the loss, Mode Prep delivered standout individual performances. Zuby Toms led all scorers with 28 points and nine rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double. Alassane Doucoure was dominant inside, posting a 17-point, 16-rebound double-double, anchoring Mode Prep on the glass and in the paint.
Friday’s opener set the tone for what promises to be a high-level weekend of basketball in Napa Valley.
Up Next:
- Albuquerque Prep will face SEPA on Sunday.
- Mode Prep will look to bounce back against Prolific Prep.
If opening night was any indication, the 10th annual Crush in the Valley is living up to its reputation as one of the premier high school basketball showcases on the West Coast.
