On Tuesday, March 3, boys’ basketball took on Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (SHC) in San Francisco for the first round of the California Interscholastic Federation State playoffs. The team qualified for the match after a stellar season, one they thought had ended after a 57-45 loss against Willow Glen High School in the Division II Central Coast Section semifinals on Feb. 26. However, a last-minute bid secured the Panthers a spot in the Division IV state playoffs.

From the beginning of the game, there was no doubt that the teams were evenly matched. Burlingame and SHC both showed very strong defense, and the game stayed close, with SHC leading throughout the first quarter.

“The game went well, we struggled a bit in the first half, but once we found our rhythm and started to settle down, everything fell into place,” senior captain Jean-Luc Uharriet said.

This season, Burlingame struggled to come out strong, but this game proved that even with a slow start, the Panthers can reel the game back in. Throughout the second half, Burlingame maintained at least a five-point lead, not letting SHC get back in the game. Uharriet credited the team’s success to its strong bond.

“Our sense of togetherness made us different this season,” Uharriet said. “We break [the huddle] all the time with ‘together’ and just being one unit and knowing that all of us are one person. It helps us stand together.”

Junior David Parrot also spoke about the team’s sense of community.

“I love our team culture,” Parrot said. “Throughout the entire year, we’ve just been bringing everybody in. We’ve been such a team, and it’s like a family.”

However, the season isn’t over for Burlingame.

“The emotions are really high right now,” Uharriet said, “The fact that we were able to come here as an underseed and upset them at their home is exciting. But the job isn’t finished.”

Sophomore Scotty Cornelius has one hope for the rest of the season: “Get to the state championship.”