Branson tops neighbor in final - Marin Independent Journal

BOYS BASKETBALL

Branson tops neighbor in final

Bulls pull away from San Domenico in second half of Division III title game

Branson’s boys basketball team poses for a photo after winning the North Coast Section Division III championship against San Domenico at College of Marin in Kentfield on Friday. PHOTOS BY DOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN — SPECIAL TO THE MARIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL

NJ Gray (24) of Branson looks to pass the ball while defended by Rastko Dobromirovic (5) of San Domenico during Friday’s NCS D-III final.

Gavin Early (4) of San Domenico goes up for a shot during Friday’s Division III championship game.

Heath French (4) of Branson goes for a layup during Friday’s North Coast Section Division III championship.

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By Derek Wilson

dewilson@marinij.com

Bulls star sophomore NJ Gray lit the fuse on Friday’s “Ross Valley rave” as the Branson School got rolling early against San Domenico. Then teammate Heath French found his touch to bring the North Coast Section Division III boys basketball championship to 39 Fernhill Avenue in Ross.

French scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half to power the top-seeded Bulls past the second-seeded Panthers, 61-41, at College of Marin in front of a packed and vocal fanbase for the first-ever meeting between the two teams, even though the schools are less than 5 miles apart from each other.

“The whole season, everything, has been building to this night,” French said, with the netting and his championship medal around his neck after Branson’s victory celebration. “This season has been hard, and we know it will only get harder from here.”

Both Branson (21-10) and San Domenico (23-8) will move on to the CIF NorCal Regional tournament after the seedings are announced Sunday. The first round is set to begin Tuesday.

“Despite the result, this was a big step for us to get to the highest point this program has reached, at the highest division,” San Domenico head coach Tyler Gaffaney said.

The Panthers made their NCS D-III finals debut after losing to Head Royce in the NCS D-V semifinals each of the past two seasons. San Domenico rebounded last season to reach the NorCal D-V finals against Athenian, but lost, 57-46, to miss out on the team’s first berth in the boys state finals.

“This season has by far been the best in my four years here,” said senior Gavin Early, who led San Domenico with 15 points. “I have loved my high school career. I have great memories: making it to the NCS championship game, going to levels the program has never seen. I’m glad we get to keep playing.”

Branson is chasing its first state boys title since 2008, when Jonas Honick coached the team to the last of its three straight championships. The Bulls lost to Lutheran of La Verne in the 2010 state title game.

Senior Tom Lardner, a multi-sport athlete who didn’t play basketball last season, is the Bulls’ only holdover from the 2022 and 2023 NCS championship teams. Lardner, who started the night by performing the national anthem alongside his sister, had six points and seven rebounds before celebrating his third NCS basketball championship Friday.

“It’s super exciting for the whole team, and for me as a sophomore, to win this championship and to go to NorCals,” French said. “This is all a new experience for me.”

Gray wasted no time in getting the Bulls on the scoreboard with a driving layup off a steal. Robertson sank the first of his two 3-pointers during the opening run and Gray proceeded to score nine of his game-high 20 points in the first quarter. Gray gave the Bulls a 20-7 lead with another layup after a pick, then added two from the free throw line to push Branson’s lead to 22-7 by the end of the first quarter.

“It was a great start. It was important to take advantage of our opportunities,” Branson head coach Demetrius Roquemore said. “We jumped out on them and set the tone.”

Branson was able to capitalize on early turnovers before San Domenico was able to adjust its scheme. Kris Jakstas hit a pair of 3-pointers and Early dropped in a driving layup as San Domenico opened the second quarter with a run that cut the deficit to just seven points. Jakstas finished with 12 points.

“Attacking the basket worked for us, it seemed,” Early said. “The 3-ball shooting wasn’t working, but we made some adjustments.”

Robertson, who finished with 12 points, put his stamp on another Branson run with a breakaway dunk to restore the Bulls’ lead to 12 points before Early hit a jumper just before the buzzer to send the teams into the break with Branson leading 31-21.

“Playing for the championship, playing against such a good team — guys you’ve seen play — that added a different element to the game, both pressure and excitement,” Early said. “NJ Gray and Chase Robertson are both great players. For me, I want to play better when I play against them.”

French established himself in the paint during the game, and dropped in a pair of baskets to kick off the third quarter. French scored eight points during the quarter as the Bulls inflated their lead to 23 points.

“Seeing how my teammates were playing, I wanted to elevate my game,” French said. “I wasn’t shooting well to start the game, but I trusted my teammates and they trusted me. I just had to get my confidence.”

Roquemore said, “I just told Heath to stay calm. We have a lot of talent on our team, and any guy can take over on any night. He had a big night tonight.”

San Domenico has a well-deserved reputation as a team capable of dramatic comebacks, but the Bulls denied every rally effort in the final minutes.

“Absolutely, there was no quit in us tonight,” Gaffaney said. “Both teams played like champions. We just have to learn from this loss and put the pain behind us, then move on for NorCals.”