The final bell has rung, and the 2025-26 school year is officially in the rearview mirror. Now comes the fun part: looking back at the performances we’ll be talking about for years.
Readers ultimately selected Jordan Williams delivers career-high 31-point double-double as Mountain House beats Freedom as the year’s best, but it was only one chapter in a season filled with remarkable individual efforts.
Record books were rewritten. Playoff games were taken over. Stars delivered when their teams needed them most.
These are The Record’s top 15 single-game boys basketball performances of the year.
Ripon Christian’s Vander Veen closes three-game stretch with 40 points over River Island
Three games in three days is usually enough to wear down even the best players. Jake Vander Veen looked as fresh as ever. The Ripon Christian senior guard poured in 40 points in a 72-56 victory over River Island on Dec. 6.
Oakdale’s Busam controls game with 34 points, eight assists over Enochs
Bryce Busam had a hand in nearly everything Oakdale did offensively. The junior guard poured in 34 points and dished out eight assists in a 69-62 nonleague victory over Enochs on Dec. 9.
Williams delivers career-high 31-point double-double as Mountain House beats Freedom
If there was an early sign of the season Jordan Williams was about to have, it came Dec. 18. The Mountain House senior center recorded a career-high 31 points and 11 rebounds in a 55-52 victory over Enochs, a performance that foreshadowed his eventual Valley Oak League MVP honor.
Merolla leads Lincoln past Nevada top-15 team with 31 points during holiday break
For most, winter break is a chance to slow down. Jagger Merolla used it to heat up. The Lincoln senior guard poured in 31 points in a 64-52 victory over Nevada No. 14-ranked Fernley on Dec. 27, just two days after Christmas.
Tokay’s Khan breaks own school record with 50 points against Chavez
Most players would be satisfied with holding a school record. Habib Khan wasn’t. After setting Tokay’s single-game scoring mark with 47 points the year before, the senior guard raised the bar again with 50 points in a 76-58 victory over Chavez on Dec. 29.
Russell’s 25 points help Tracy knock off Lincoln for first time since 2018
For the first time since January 2018, Tracy walked off the court with a win over Lincoln. Maximillian Russell led the charge, pouring in 25 points in a 70-67 victory on Jan. 2 over a Trojans team that had reached the CIF State championship game the previous season.
Lindross’ 33 points, clutch free throws lift Tracy past St. Mary’s
If the game reached overtime, anything could have happened. Lars Lindross never gave St. Mary’s the chance. The Tracy senior forward secured an offensive rebound, drew a foul and knocked down two clutch free throws late in a 61-59 victory on Jan. 7, capping a 33-point performance.
Weston Ranch’s Bruhn introduces himself in style, sinks game-winner against state top-50 power
The hype didn’t last long before becoming reality. In just his third game at Weston Ranch, Romello Bruhn sank the game-winner in a 72-71 upset of eventual CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II champion and California top-50 team Destiny Christian Academy on Jan. 9. The senior guard scored 16 points.
McDonald’s monster 28-rebound double-double fuels Chavez past Stagg
Football may be Damarion McDonald’s primary sport, but the effort that made him the SJAA Defensive Player of the Year translated just fine to the basketball court. The Chavez senior center recorded 10 points and 28 rebounds in a 53-48 victory over Stagg on Jan. 12.
Weston Ranch’s Bruhn delivers 50-point masterpiece against McNair
Scoring 50 points in a game is rare. Outscoring the opposing team is even rarer. Weston Ranch senior guard Romello Bruhn did both on Jan. 21, erupting for 51 points in a 113-42 rout of McNair.
Twenty-six points from Hinkston fuel St. Mary’s upset of Lincoln
Few gave St. Mary’s much of a chance entering its matchup with Lincoln. By night’s end, the Rams had their first victory in the series since January 2023. Senior guard Jayden Hinkston led the way with 26 points and five steals in a 66-56 win on Jan. 26.
Weston Ranch moves within reach of SJAA title behind Bruhn’s 38 points
When rivals separated by just one freeway exit meet, records and streaks tend to matter a little less. Romello Bruhn made sure Weston Ranch didn’t lose sight of the bigger picture, pouring in 38 points in a 91-76 victory over Edison on Jan. 30 as the Cougars moved closer to another SJAA championship.
Tracy’s Russell drops 41 points in near-upset of California top-15 team
On paper, Tracy had little business hanging with California No. 14 Modesto Christian. The teams were separated by nearly 180 spots in the MaxPreps rankings. Senior guard Maximillian Russell did everything he could to close that gap, scoring 41 points in an 86-75 defeat on Feb. 6.
Lincoln knocks off California top-20 team behind Simmons’ 28-point effort
With California No. 18 San Joaquin Memorial standing across the floor, Tre Simmons put Lincoln on his back. The sophomore guard poured in 28 points as the Trojans pulled off a 52-50 upset at the Super Saturday Showcase at Delta College on Feb. 7.
Weston Ranch’s Bruhn becomes 16th player in California history with 3,000 career points
History was within reach when Romello Bruhn took the floor against Bear Creek in the SJAA semifinals on Feb. 12. Needing 17 points to become just the 16th player in California boys basketball history to score 3,000 career points, the Weston Ranch senior guard surpassed the milestone with a 24-point performance in an 85-58 victory.
This article originally appeared on The Record: San Joaquin County’s 15 most unforgettable boys basketball performances
Reporting by Dylan Ackermann, The Stockton Record / The Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dylan Ackermann, The Stockton Record | USA TODAY Network
