Beyer’s McGee-Harmon duo leads the way in first-round playoff win over Oakdale
Heading into the 2026 postseason, the Beyer boys basketball team was in a familiar position.
The Patriots were the No. 7 seed in Division III, with just one guaranteed home game, taking on a hungry, driven team, seeded 10th and with a chip on its shoulder.
Last season, it was El Capitan and the Gauchos beat the Patriots en route to a Cinderella run to the Sac-Joaquin Section title game. This year, that same seven-seed Patriots welcomed No. 10, upstart Oakdale, a team in the midst of its best season in over two decades that was oozing confidence.
Beyer did not look at Wednesday’s first-round game as a chance at validation. The Patriots weren’t interested in proving to the doubters that last season was a fluke. While a lot of the same players returned, they felt like a different team. They were instead focused on accomplishing the task at hand: winning a playoff game to guarantee another day of life.
“Last season meant absolutely nothing” coming into Wednesday, head coach Kyle McKim said. “There was not a mention of last year. We’re not trying to prove anything, we’re just trying to be great with this group.”
The Patriots jumped on the Mustangs early and never let up, going ahead by nearly 20 points late in the third quarter en route to securing a 56-43 win.
A James McGee three put Beyer ahead 9-3 about midway through the first quarter and the Patriots finished the frame on a 6-1 run to open up a double-digit lead. For the rest of the half, the lead stayed around eight points and Beyer took a 27-19 halftime lead.
McGee and Curtis Harmon scored 10 of Beyer’s 12 points in the frame. While the Patriots knocked down some first-quarter threes, McGee said the team started to settle into the game in the second quarter.
“It was crazy, every play it was loud no matter if it was defense or offense,” McGee said. “The beginning of the second quarter, everybody started to feel themselves and we really clicked as a team.”
The duo each added seven points in the third quarter as part of a 21-point frame. By the start of the final quarter, Beyer held a 48-30 lead.
Harmon finished the game with a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double with three blocks, and McGee added 17 points. The two were the team’s steadying presence all night long, making key baskets to answer any Oakdale score. Harmon sealed the first-round victory with a layup, stole the inbounds pass and immediately converted another layup for a quick four-point flurry with under 20 seconds left.
“They gave up their summers for this. They gave up their falls and their springs,” McKim said. “Most people see the wins but they don’t understand, it’s an insane amount of time they put into this. To see young guys get the reward from that and get a playoff win, it’s validation for all the work they put in.”
McGee said playing in games like Wednesday’s made sitting out half of the season worth it.
The junior transferred from Central Catholic and, per CIF transfer rules, was not eligible until early January. He entered the lineup and immediately brought a spark, McKim said. He added another ball handler, a scorer and a consistent threat to knock down a three. He also spent some time guarding Oakdale’s leading scorer, Bryce Busam, whom the Patriots held to just one point on the night.
“That was the worst part,” McGee said of serving the sit-out period. “But we’re trying to make it worth it now. I’m glad I can help the team out now — especially in the playoffs.”
For Oakdale, the dream season under first-year head coach Kelly Power comes to an end. The Mustangs’ turnaround started in the summer with a revamped focus in workouts and a change in mindset. The team went from a play-in win and eventual first-round elimination in a 71-47 loss to Christian Brothers, to fully expecting to compete with Beyer.
“We’ve been talking about it since spring — they wanted this,” Power said of the team’s mindset. “They wanted to string a couple of playoff wins together and they believed that they could. Beyer’s just really freaking good.”
Oakdale finishes the season 22-7 overall with a 7-5 Valley Oak League record.
Beyer travels to No. 2 seed Casa Roble on Friday. The Rams beat Foothill 94-52 Wednesday.
“If you win the next one, you go to NorCals and your season lasts a heck of a lot longer,” Mckim said. “It’s an exciting opportunity. You get to go on the road in the playoffs with the chance to win a big game with a one-game opportunity where anything can happen and you get the chance to do something special.”
Boys basketball first round games
Division I
No. 1 Modesto Christian 95, No. 17 Tokay 42: The Crusaders were firing on all cylinders Wednesday in their playoff opener. Modesto Christian led 51-20 at the half and coasted to victory over the Tigers from the SJAA. The Division’s No. 1 seed hosts Vanden in Friday’s quarterfinal at 7 p.m.
No. 3 Folsom 88, No. 14 Gregori 52: Gregori could not overcome the consistent blows delivered by the defending section champion Bulldogs, falling in the opening round of the D-I postseason. The Jaguars end the season as CCAL co-champions with a 20-9 record and a perfect 7-0 record at home.
No. 7 Inderkum 75, No. 10 Enochs 43: Enochs could not overcome a 25-7 hole after the first quarter as they fell to the seventh-ranked D-I team Wednesday. The Eagles were co-CCAL champions and won 23 games this season to just six losses. They finished 10-0 at home.
Division III
No. 8 Central Catholic 70, No. 9 Roseville 65: Central Catholic protected home court Wednesday with a narrow first-round playoff win over Roseville. The Raiders withstood a 25-point effort from Tigers senior Matthias Howard, moving to 17-12 on the season. The Raiders travel to Placer for a Friday night quarterfinals matchup at 7 p.m.
Division IV
No. 9 Union Mine 63, No. 8 Ripon Christian 62: Ripon Christian dropped a first-round heartbreaker Wednesday night. They fell behind early but came back to tie the game at 41-41 late in the third quarter. They took a 54-49 lead in the fourth. After the two sides traded baskets, Jake Vander Veen made a free throw to put the Knights ahead 62-60 with 23 second left but a Union Mine three proved to be the game winner. Vander Veen tallied a team-high 25 points and Chase Bunnell and Amos Cady added 12 points and eight rebounds and 11 points, six rebounds, six assists, respectively. The Knights season ends at 18-11 overall.
No. 12 Escalon 68, No. 5 West Campus 65: The Cougars proved they could be this year’s SJS Cinderella with a big upset win over West Campus, outscoring the home Warriors 10-3 in the final three minutes of the game. Senior guard Ben Ferreira tied the game at 65 with a layup with 1 minute, 30 seconds in the fourth then drilled a slot three to end the game as time expired. The Cougars travel to Colfax Friday looking for a quarterfinals win.
No. 2 Venture Academy 67, No. 15 Hilmar 39: Hilmar saw its season end at the hands of the Mustangs who are primed for a deep playoff run. The Yellowjackets finish the campaign with a 17-12 overall record and a 6-6 record in the Trans-Valley League.
Division V
No. 9 John Adams Academy 76, No. 8 Big Valley Christian 74: The Lions’ season ended with a heartbreaker in the opening round of the D-V postseason. Big Valley trailed 75-71 with seconds remaining when Titus Boone made a deep three to cut it to a one point game. The Patriots converted a free throw late to make it a two point game and the Lions did not get a shot at tying. Big Valley went 17-9 and 6-4 in league play this season.
This story was originally published February 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM.
