It’s been no secret how amazingly strong the East Bay Athletic League has been this year in boys’ basketball.

When it came to the North Coast Section, nine of the ten teams in the league qualified for the playoffs, five of them in the esteemed Open division.

Six of the nine moved on to the CIF State Northern California playoffs in an incredible show of strength. Two in the Open field – Dougherty Valley and De La Salle. There were three in the D-I tournament – Granada, Dublin, and San Ramon Valley.

Finally, California found itself in the Div. II field for the first time in the school history.

Power – plain and simple.

We are now down to the regional finals, meaning the NorCal finals and one step from playing in the prestigious California State Championship.

There is but one EBAL team left as Granada will play for the NorCal title Tuesday night against Salesian at Contra Costa College, with the game set for a 7 p.m. tip.

Granada coach Quaran Johnson looks no further than the EBAL grind this year as the key to the Mats NorCal run.

“The EBAL has played a huge role,” said Johnson. “Five teams made the NCS Open division – that tells you all you need to know.”

After finishing 5-4 during the EBAL regular season Granada put together a daunting roll in the EBAL playoffs. The Mats beat on consecutive nights Monte Vista, Dublin, and De La Salle to make the finals.

“We went through the hardest schedule in the state beating Monte Vista, Dublin, and De La Salle on successive nights,” said Johnson.

In the finals, they fell 77-70 to Dougherty Valley, but qualified to the Open division in NCS.

There they beat Dublin for the second time before falling to eventual Open champ Dougherty Valley 64-60. Reeling after the tight loss to one of the top teams in state, Granada then fell to Salesian in the equivalency of the third-place game, in a contest more geared to NorCal seeding.

“Salesian beat us,” said Johnson. “But coming off a third loss to Dougherty Valley, I’m not sure if we lost something.”

That sent the Mats to the No. 9 seed in the NorCal D-I brackets. Undaunted the team went on another run, beating No. 8 Sacred Heart, No. 1 Clovis West, and then No. 4 Archbishop Riordan in the NorCal semifinals.

“We can’t be phased by anyone we play after going through our league,” said Johnson. “I was confident – the kids were confident. We just needed to keep our heads down, play hard, and not worry about who we play.”

Now for the spot in the D-I state title game, the Mats will face Salesian again, the team they fell to 50-48 in that third-place game.

“We’ve got to play harder,” said Johnson. “Salesian plays hard the entire game and you have keep up with their effort.”

Possible waiting in the state final is Sierra Canyon, who faces Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in the SoCal final. Sierra Canyon features Bronny James on their roster, the son of LeBron James. Johnson refuses to look ahead.

“If we you are going to make the state final, you can’t worry about who you are going to play,” said Johnson.

This year’s run comes after a big year last season which saw the Mats advance to the second round of the NorCal tournament, losing to Inderkum 83-69.

The Mats lost superstar Kevin Gad to graduation, but had a load coming back, then picked up a key transfer this season.

Guard Spencer Langowski transferred from Livermore and gave the Granada backcourt even more stability.

“He is one special kid,” said Johnson of Langowski. “He is one hard worker and I love having him hear. He really has been a big piece of the puzzle.”

The Matadors are still led by 7-footer Andrew McKeever, who is headed to St. Mary’s next season.

“He is the heart and soul of the team,” said Johnson of McKeever. “His play has anchored us all year. I have known him for so long – I couldn’t be happier for him.”

NeVaughen Long has been a key player for Johnson and the Mats for a few years.

“He is like a son to me,” said Johnson of Long. “He came from Atlanta as a sixth grader, and being able to watch his growth into a young man has been special.”

Matai Faiaupa’u and Nate Keany are a pair of seniors that have been vital to the success of the team.

“They are home grown guys and part of that core that has been crucial,” said Johnson.

Kevin Grant, another senior flies under the radar, but Johnson sings his praises.

“He’s our shooter and is probably the most underrated player to every other team we have played,” said Johnson.

There are two newcomers that have been key for Granada this year in seniors Tyler Harris and Anthony Rodriquez according to Johnson.

“They came in and they were ready to play,” said Johnson.

The Mats stumbled a bit earlier in the EBAL, at one point losing three straight but have since recovered and that memory is long gone.

“We aren’t the same team we were in January,” said Johnson. “We have talked with the kids and told them someone has to win it all – why can’t it be us.”