The San Marcos High boys’ basketball team played one of its best games of the season when it needed it the most. The Royals stunned rival Santa Barbara and punched their ticket to the playoffs with a 61-50 victory on Friday afternoon at the Thunderhut.

Their win was a a 13-12 decision in the semifinals of the Newport Holiday Cup. Laguna Beach held off a furious San Marcos comeback for a 10-9 win in Santa Barbara back on Dec. 2. The winner of San Marcos-Laguna Beach battle will play the winner between No ...