Redwood aims for redemption; Branson prepares title defense

BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS

Jase Butler (32) of Branson drives to the basket past Gil Ladetzky (15) of Redwood during the MCAL boys basketball final in Larkspur, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. Branson defeated Redwood 45-41 in overtime for the title. SHERRY LAVARS/MARIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL

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By Derek Wilson

dewilson@marinij.com

The lessons learned from last season could be a big factor in Redwood High’s campaign for the North Coast Section boys crown.

The Giants (22-6) secured the second seed in the NCS Division II playoffs and a first-round home game Wednesday against No. 15 Bethel (22-6).

“They’ve got a good record,” Redwood coach Jay DeMaestri said of Bethel. “We were here last year and got upset, so we can’t look past anybody.”

The Giants, seeded third in NCS after winning the MCAL title last season, were upset in the quarterfinals by No. 6 Benicia, 66-48.

That loss still stings with seniors Ains Fish, Jacob Friedman and Brady Weingart, who along with junior Jake Vasquez, are the core of a Redwood squad that balances hot shooting and stout defense.

Redwood’s 45-41 loss to Branson in the MCAL finals Friday hasn’t dampened the Giants’ competitive fire, rather they are more driven than ever to win the NCS title.

“We wanted to defend the MCAL title, but we fell short of that,” DeMaestri said. “Now we have our eyes set on the NCS title. Winning that means you’re not just a good team in Marin County, but in all of Northern California. All our eyes are on winning NCS.”

The Giants are one of seven boys teams from Marin County in the NCS tournament this week.

“I’m glad to see Terra Linda and San Marin got in there,” DeMaestri said. “It’s good for Marin County to have as many teams in there as possible. We’ll all represent Marin as well as we can.”

Division III

Despite any rumors that the Branson School might be placed in the ultra-competitive Open Division, the Bulls (24-3) were instead awarded the top seed in D-III and a first-round bye. The Bulls’ will wait until Saturday to play the winner of the first-round matchup between No. 8 San Marin and No. 9 Kennedy.

Branson, the defending D-III champion, was also the runner-up in 2020, so the young Bulls know the path to success. Senior George Gale brings a solid all-around game as one of the Bulls’ leading scorers and rebounders, while Semetri Carr, Jase Butler, Finley Keefe and Joaquin Aguillon bring more firepower.

San Marin (14-13) returns to the NCS field for the first time since the 2019 tournament, so this is a new experience for this year’s class of of Mustangs as they plunge ahead. Nick Cubley has shown he is more than capable of taking over a game.

Division IV

Marin Catholic (12-16) battled through an up-and-down season, but emerged with the No. 4 seed and a home game Wednesday against No. 13 seed St. Joseph Notre Dame (5-20).

Terra Linda (16-11), meanwhile, finished fifth in the MCAL, good enough to pick up the No. 7 seed, which gives the Trojans a home game Wednesday against No. 10 Lick-Wilmerding (14-12), a tough team which could easily pull off an upset.

Division V

Bay Counties League West rivals Marin Academy (13-13) and San Domenico (20-7) were placed in the same half of the bracket. The Panthers, seeded third, open with a home game against No. 14 College Prep (11-12) on Tuesday.

The San Domenico boys have made it their goal all season to equal the success of the girls team, which won the State title last year. They’ll have a chance to accomplish that goal, with Gavin Early and Drew Morehouse setting a fast pace and Gytis Gervickas providing highlight shots from well beyond the arc.

The seventh seed, Marin Academy faces No. 10 Sonoma Academy (20-5) in Tuesday’s opening round. The Wildcats will play at Sonoma Academy, despite being the higher seed.