BREAKING: The Marin Catholic Wildcats’ remarkable basketball season came to a stunning halt on March 12, 2024, as they were defeated by King’s Academy, 85-73, in the opening round of the NorCal Division-I championships in Kentfield. This upset marks the end of what has been an extraordinary journey for the Wildcats, who finished the season with a strong record of 24-5.
Despite the loss, first-year head coach Kevin Vasquez urged his players to focus on their achievements rather than the disappointment of their final game. “What an incredible season,” Vasquez stated. “I told the team, don’t let one game take anything away from what we did. It was truly a magical season.”
From the very start, Marin Catholic defied expectations, having not been favored to win the MCAL title. After clinching the championship, the Wildcats advanced to the North Coast Section open division playoffs, winning one of two games before reaching the NorCal playoffs.
In a thrilling match, Marin Catholic initially took control, leading 40-37 at halftime, thanks to stellar three-point shooting from Oliver Myers, who scored 11 of his team-high 16 points in the first half. “I think we took them by surprise a little bit,” said senior captain Joe Hammond. “Maybe they figured they were playing some soft Marin team and they could just take it easy.”
However, King’s Academy, the defending D-III NorCal champions, showcased their skill, with five players scoring in double figures. Leading the charge was Adrian Barnett, who tallied 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds, both game-highs. The Knights, who boasted a season record of 24-4, proved too formidable in the second half.
Marin Catholic fought valiantly, even regaining the lead at 50-47 midway through the third quarter. Yet, the momentum shifted when Barnett executed a powerful fastbreak dunk, propelling King’s Academy ahead at 51-50.
The Wildcats managed to tie the game one last time at 58-58 early in the fourth quarter with Myers’ fourth three-pointer. Unfortunately, King’s Academy capitalized on rebounding and fast breaks, pulling away in the final minutes of the game.
“We lost to a very good team without a doubt,” Vasquez acknowledged. “But we were ahead at halftime and then we couldn’t get a stop or make a shot.” Outside of Myers, senior Micah Pierce was the only other Wildcat to score in double digits, contributing 10 points and a team-high six rebounds.
After the game, emotions ran high in the locker room, with many players visibly upset. “There were a lot of sad kids in that locker room,” Vasquez reflected. “But when they are able to look back on the season without emotion, they are going to realize what they accomplished. The experience we got this season is going to pay dividends for years to come.”
As the Wildcats process this loss, their season stands as a testament to resilience and teamwork, setting the stage for future success. The road ahead is bright for Marin Catholic, as they look to build on this season’s achievements in the coming years.
