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Pleasanton Today
By the People, for the People
Philly Coaches Face Off in East Bay Basketball Showdown
Granada and Amador Valley high school teams meet in NCS playoff battle.
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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Two high school basketball coaches with roots in Philadelphia will face off on Tuesday night as their teams, Granada and Amador Valley, meet in the North Coast Section (NCS) playoffs. The matchup pits two longtime friends and former coaching colleagues against each other in a battle for a spot in the next round.
Why it matters
The game represents a unique clash of East Coast and West Coast basketball cultures, as the two coaches bring their distinct coaching styles and philosophies to the high-stakes playoff game. It also highlights the growing prominence of the East Bay as a basketball hotbed, with top talent and coaching talent migrating from other regions.
The details
The two coaches, Tyrone Owens of Granada and Jamal Sampson of Amador Valley, previously worked together on the coaching staff of a high school in Philadelphia before both taking head coaching jobs in the East Bay. Now they find themselves matched up in a pivotal NCS playoff game, each hoping to lead their team to victory and advance in the tournament.
- The NCS playoff game between Granada and Amador Valley will take place on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
- Owens and Sampson previously coached together in Philadelphia before both taking head coaching jobs in the East Bay.
The players
Tyrone Owens
The head coach of the Granada High School basketball team, with roots in Philadelphia.
Jamal Sampson
The head coach of the Amador Valley High School basketball team, also with ties to Philadelphia.
What they’re saying
“It's bittersweet for both of us. We both like to see each other do good. I know he's rooting for me. I'm rooting for him.”
— Jamal Sampson, Head Coach, Amador Valley High School (wn.com)
What’s next
The winner of the Granada-Amador Valley game will advance to the next round of the NCS playoffs, moving one step closer to a championship.
The takeaway
The matchup between the two Philadelphia-bred coaches highlights the growing influence of East Coast basketball talent and coaching in the East Bay, as well as the intense rivalries and high stakes of the NCS playoffs.
