WILDCATS’ DUO STARS IN ANOTHER THRILLER
Hammond, Williams power Marin Catholic to win over San Marin
The new year has been a series of action-packed games against MCAL competition for Marin Catholic, and the excitement continued in Tuesday’s taut battle at San Marin as both squads try to position themselves early for the playoffs.
“With this single-game format, every game feels like the playoffs,” Marin Catholic head coach Mike Saia said after the Wildcats rallied for a 64-56 victory over the Mustangs. “Playing each team only once means each game is that much more important.”
Marin Catholic bounced back from a 69-47 loss to Archie Williams on Jan. 5, to stun Redwood, 67-64, in Saturday’s nonleague contest. The Wildcats (7-11, 1-1 MCAL) rode the momentum
Charles Williams (1) of Marin Catholic takes a shot over San Marin defender Grant Means (2) on Tuesday.
from that win Tuesday’s showdown.
“At the end of December, we were missing a few people, but now everyone’s back and we’re
into
looking strong,” said Marin Catholic sophomore Joe Hammond, who finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals.
The Wildcats’ Charles Williams scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a back-and-forth contest with San Marin’s Nick Cubley, who scored 23 points Tuesday.
Marin Catholic’s shooting woes to open Tuesday night’s contest didn’t shake the Wildcats’ confidence, and when they needed an extra boost, Hammond had the magic touch.
San Marin held a singledigit lead throughout most of the third quarter, but Hammond opened the final quarter with a midrange jumper and a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats a two-point edge, which Marin Catholic never surrendered.
“Our Achilles’ heel has been defense this season,” Saia said. “Tonight, the guys stayed active all night. They know that to stay on the floor, they have to stay active.”