Dougherty Valley boys basketball coach celebrates EBAL title after wife's cancer surgery

Coach Mike Hansen's team defeated De La Salle 70-59 just a day after his wife's successful surgery and on his 54th birthday

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Dougherty Valley High School boys basketball coach Mike Hansen led his team to a 70-59 victory over De La Salle in the East Bay Athletic League (EBAL) playoff title game just a day after his wife Megan's successful cancer surgery and on his 54th birthday. Hansen's emotionally spent but proud team, led by a combined 60 points from Rashod Cotton Jr., Alonzo Walker III, and Rylan Sevilla, overcame De La Salle's size advantage with their fast-paced, high-scoring offense.

Why it matters

This win vaulted Dougherty Valley into the North Coast Section's top Open Division as the No. 6 seed, continuing the team's recent success which includes three straight NCS titles. The victory also highlighted the strong sense of community and support within the EBAL, with Hansen noting the outpouring of care and encouragement from fellow coaches during his family's difficult time.

The details

In the EBAL playoff final, Dougherty Valley's five-guard lineup ran around and past the taller De La Salle team, drilling 11 3-pointers. De La Salle, led by 22 points from Davit Pachulia and 15 from Ibrahim Monawar, was outrebounded 21-20 despite having two 6-7 interior players. Dougherty Valley's trio of Rashod Cotton Jr. (21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists), Alonzo Walker III (20 points, 12 rebounds), and Rylan Sevilla (19 points) powered the Wildcats' victory.

  • On Friday, Dougherty Valley defeated De La Salle 70-59 to win the EBAL playoff title.
  • On Thursday, Megan Hansen, the coach's wife, underwent successful cancer surgery.
  • On Saturday, Mike Hansen celebrated his 54th birthday.

The players

Mike Hansen

The head coach of the Dougherty Valley boys basketball team, who led his squad to the EBAL playoff title just a day after his wife's cancer surgery and on his 54th birthday.

Rashod Cotton Jr.

A senior on the Dougherty Valley team who scored 21 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and dished out 6 assists in the EBAL playoff final.

Alonzo Walker III

A sophomore on the Dougherty Valley team who scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the EBAL playoff final.

Rylan Sevilla

A junior on the Dougherty Valley team who scored 19 points in the EBAL playoff final.

Mariano Lopez-Aarden

A 6-7 interior player for De La Salle who was held to just a combined 12 points and 8 rebounds in the EBAL playoff final.

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What they’re saying

“My dad was right. It goes way beyond the games and competition and quality of teams. There's a community, a care that's hard to describe. I feel blessed.”

— Mike Hansen, Dougherty Valley boys basketball coach (San Francisco Chronicle)

“We were ready. We knew we didn't exactly match up with their size, but that goes for every one. We decided at a certain point this year, why fight it (lack of size). Teams can't match up with us either. We have to play faster and tougher and stay connected.”

— Mike Hansen, Dougherty Valley boys basketball coach (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Dougherty Valley will open the North Coast Section Open Division playoffs as the No. 6 seed, facing No. 3 Marin Catholic-Kentfield on Thursday. The Wildcats are seeking their fourth straight NCS title after winning the Open Division crown in 2023 and Division 1 titles the past two seasons.

The takeaway

This story highlights the tight-knit community and support system within the East Bay Athletic League, as well as the resilience and determination of the Dougherty Valley boys basketball team to overcome adversity and capture a league title in the face of personal challenges faced by their coach.