Marin Catholic, Branson reach NorCal semifinals
Another solid team effort launched top-seeded Marin Catholic into to the NorCal Division II girls basketball semifinals with a 66-52 victory over Christian Brothers on Thursday, as the first half of a playoff doubleheader in Kentfield.
Izzy McFadden and Gracyn Lovette each poured in 17 points for the Wildcats, while Madie Dayton tallied 14 points. Cecily Hadd added eight points and sophomore Angelique Addae tipped in five points for the Wildcats, who will face either No. 4 Central or No. 5 Moreau Catholic on Saturday.
The Marin Catholic boys hosted Central Catholic in the nightcap of Thursday's doubleheader.
• Hannah Golan continues to add to an incredible high school basketball career as the Branson School defeated Foothill, 61-49, Thursday to advance to the NorCal Division III semifinals. Golan reached 1,000 career rebounds with the Bulls in front of an encouraging home crowd at College of Marin.
The No. 2 Bulls await their next opponent, the winner between No. 3 Colfax and No. 11 Lassen. The regional semifinal is scheduled for Saturday.
The Branson boys took the court against Weston Ranch in the late game of
the Bulls' playoff doubleheader at College of Marin.
Boys tennis
Redwood and Tam played past dusk as four matches went to third-set tiebreakers, but the Giants secured a 5-2 victory Thursday in the MCAL boys tennis rivalry. Redwood's Lukas Berger defeated Tam's Diego Castillo 3-6, 6-4, 10-7 at No. 4 singles. At the same time, Redwood's Liam Martinez and Eric Sretavan closed out a 6-1, 6-7 (5), 10-7 win at No. 3 doubles to clinch the match for the Giants.
Tam's Witt Bulger got the better of Jackson Sichel at the top of the singles ladder in a marathon 4-6, 6-0, 12-10 match to end the day.
• Terra Linda held off San Marin for a 5-2 victory Thursday a match that was really much closer, with two key matches going to thirdset tiebreakers. The Trojans' En-Yu Liu edged Milo Reyes at No. 3 singles, 7-5, 2-6, 119. Terra Linda's Jack Rosenthal and Julian Robin won at No. 2 and No. 4 singles, respectively.
• Tyler Byrne helped set the pace as Tam swept the singles ladder in Wednesday's 4-3 victory over Marin Catholic. Byrne defeated the Wildcats' Jack Miller 6-1, 6-1 to take the win at No. 1 singles. The Hawks' Emmet McEvilley, Diego Castillo and Dylan Boone also won their singles matches.
The Wildcats kept the overall match close with a sweep of doubles play, including a 6-4, 7-5 win at No. 2 doubles by Felix Adam and Charlie Miller.
Boys golf
The Bulls' Charlie Farrell continued his amazing week Thursday to lead the Branson School to 198-208 victory over Terra Linda at Peacock Gap. The Branson senior was the low medalist for the day with a 3-under 33 as the Bulls improved to 3-0 in the MCAL. Terra Linda's Sean Madden shot a 2-over 38.
• Tam High's Ben Friedman paced the field with a 2-under 31 at the Mill Valley Golf Club on Thursday as the Red-tailed Hawks outshot Archie Williams 182-215. Adam Dali, Max Baer and Hayden Thill each came around at 37 for Tam, with Abe Willard at 40.
Colton Mansbridge led the Falcons with a 39, followed by Calvin Cavanna (42), Nathan Cloughley (44), Frank Fradelizio (44) and Ben Beak (46).
Swimming
Novato-based Thunder Coast Aquatics will host the 2023 CA/NV Speedo Sectionals at College of Marin's Indian Valley Campus in Novato this weekend. The event, which is sanctioned by Pacific Swimming and USA Swimming, will feature top swimmers from across California and the Sierra Nevada area.
This is the first time this specific event has been held in Northern California and it's an opportunity to showcase the recently opened Miwok Aquatic and Fitness Center at IVC, along with Bay Area swimming talent.
“The new facility has become a destination for many events and we hope to continue this in the coming months and years to come,” said COM's Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Administrative Services Greg Nelson.
Event is open to the public and runs from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 2, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Job openings
Novato High School is hiring coaches for the current and upcoming sports seasons. Openings include track and field head coach, junior varsity girls lacrosse coach, girls volleyball head coach and junior varsity girls basketball coach. For more information, contact Novato athletics director Michelle Smith at msmith1@nusd.org.