Marin Catholic High’s Izzy McFadden scored a game-high 27 points on Wednesday night in the North Coast Section Division II semifinals, but her favorite moments were when reserve center Makayla Marsden came off the bench for a key rebound and was diving for loose balls.

First-year coach Kayden Korst earned her biggest win with the Wildcats when her players battled for a 60-53 victory over University at Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco.

Her top pick for play of the night? It was when backup forward Neela Ryan opened scoring in the fourth quarter with a jumper to give the Wildcats a 45-43 lead.

“Everybody who came in the game today was awesome,” said Korst. “I’ve just got some warriors who come off the bench and they know their roles.”

The Wildcats are getting a lift from their bench at just the right time, earning their fourth straight trip to the NCS final and stretching their sectional win streak to 13.

No. 3-seeded Marin Catholic (20-11) plays at top-seeded Justin-Siena (27-2) on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Napa. Justin beat Moreau Catholic 67-57.

Also scoring in double figures for the Wildcats against University were Cecelia Biernat and Brooke Spagnuolo, who both had 11 points. Senior forward Sienna Frazier added four points, seven rebounds and six assists.

“I’m so proud of us as a team,” said McFadden. “This game we just wanted to come together, and I think we really did that. Everyone is cheering. That’s the connection we want for every single person.”

University, champs of the Bay Counties League, got 20 points from Kate Kennedy. Olivia Soenens, a senior from Mill Valley, chipped in 11 points.

When McFadden nailed a three-pointer with 3:44 left to play for a 51-47 edge, it looked like the Wildcats were about to seal the deal. Kennedy said otherwise with a nice spin move to the basket and added a pair of free throws to tie the game 51-51 with 2:21 remaining.

Like she did in the NCS quarterfinals, Biernat went on a late scoring binge with the next six points to put the Wildcats ahead 57-51 at the 1:44 mark. McFadden made three free throws to close out the Wildcats’ scoring.

Marin Catholic lost to University 57-50 on Dec. 12 in a game that Biernat was sidelined in the opening minutes with an ankle injury. The rematch with University fully displayed how far along the Wildcats have come.

“It took a lot of grit — they just really fought,” said Korst. “Both sides got tired but our girls just buckled down. I’m really proud of them.”

The Wildcats hope their fortunes change in their second meeting this season against Justin-Siena. Back on Jan. 25, Justin handed MC a 78-59 loss thanks to 32 points from 6-foot-1 senior Jordan Washington.

Marin Catholic does have NCS experience on its side. The Wildcats are seeking their fourth consecutive NCS crown: they defeated Maria Carrillo for the 2024 NCS D-III title; handled MCAL rival San Marin in the 2023 D-III final; and beat Piedmont for the Division IV crown in 2022.

Justin’s last NCS championship came in 2008 in D-IV. It reached the D-IV semifinals last season, losing to University.