Emotional surge carries redwood - Marin Independent Journal

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Emotional surge carries redwood

Late push gives visiting Giants league lead after defeating Marin Catholic

The Redwood bench celebrates as they come onto the court after the Giants defeated Marin Catholic 58-52 at their MCAL game at Marin Catholic in Kentfield on Tuesday. PHOTOS BY SHERRY LAVARS — MARIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL

Jocelyn Gigounas of Marin Catholic, left, guards Redwood’s Maya Saibel at Marin Catholic in Kentfield on Tuesday.

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By Derek Wilson

dwilson@marinij.com

After leading almost the entire game, Redwood High needed a 10-point comeback to get the best of host Marin Catholic, 58-52, in Tuesday’s MCAL showdown.

The Wildcats went on a nine-point spree midway through the fourth quarter, but the Giants did them one better to close out the game. Giants junior Brooke Denler and senior Maya Saibel hit back-to-back layups to tie the game at 52-52 before Kitty White hit the go-ahead basket with just over a minute to play.

Denler was stoic in the paint, with a mature and controlled game as she collected a game-high 17 points and 15 rebounds. Saibel added 14 points and White had 10 for the Giants (12-8, 4-0), who now stand alone atop the MCAL standings. Senior Molly Gallagher finished with eight points and Ainsley Gallagher added five.

“We really wanted to win because we haven’t done it before and we knew we could do it,” said White, a 5-foot-10 junior. “So it just felt really good to come in here and get it done.”

Redwood beat Marin Catholic, 54-46, during the LadyCat Classic on Dec. 7. Marin Catholic had beaten Redwood in their previous seven meetings over the past three seasons.

The two MCAL juggernauts entered Tuesday’s game as the only teams unbeaten in league play. Redwood extended its winning streak to four games, at the expense of Marin Catholic, which saw its own five-game streak end.

Sienna Frazier set the pace for the Wildcats (12-8, 3-1 MCAL) with 13 points, while Izzy McFadden and Jocelyn Gigounas each finished with 10 points.

“We were coming in to this game looking to prove something, and I think we proved that we’re a competitor,” Frazier said.

Marin Catholic looks to start a new streak on Friday when the Wildcats visit Terra Linda, before hosting Justin-Siena on Saturday afternoon.

Redwood rode a seven-point run to close out the first half, with a turnaround jumper by sophomore Hindi Copeland, a 3-pointer from White, and a layup by Denler. The Giants struck for five unanswered points to start the second half for a 12-point lead.

Just as the momentum was tilting toward the Giants, McFadden then went on a six-point run to energize the home crowd. The Wildcats put together a series of short bursts to keep the game close.

With 5 minutes to play, Gigounas nailed a 3-pointer to jumpstart the Wildcats’ final rally effort. Simone Claxton came off the bench to score all eight of her points in the fourth quarter, then unleashed back-to-back 3-pointers and Cece Biernat capped the 10-point run with a layup to tie the game.

“We have a lot of people stepping up, like Simone,” said Frazier. “We all do our part and make that blend. When we’re all doing it together, it’s really great. I’m blessed to be playing with these people.”

The Giants are building up steam as they head into the second half of the MCAL slate. Redwood has back-to-back home games this week, against Novato on Friday and non-league opponent Montgomery on Saturday.

“I’ve played with these seniors since I was a freshman, so I really wanted to get them a win tonight,” White said. “Everyone was really antsy and there were a lot of high emotions, but that’s OK. I think we didn’t let that get to us. Instead, it drove us.”