Marin Catholic Falls to King’s Academy in NorCal Playoff Upset

BREAKING: Marin Catholic’s dreams of a championship came to an abrupt end Tuesday night as the No. 8 Wildcats were eliminated by No. 9 King’s Academy (Sunnyvale) with a final score of 85-73 in the opening round of the NorCal Division-I boys basketball championships at Kentfield. This shocking defeat marks the end of a remarkable season for the Wildcats, who finished with a record of 24-5.

The Wildcats, under first-year coach Kevin Vasquez, were poised for a deep playoff run but fell short against a skilled King’s Academy team, the defending D-III NorCal champions. Vasquez emphasized the positive aspects of the season, stating, “What an incredible season… don’t let one game take anything away from what we did. It was truly a magical season.”

Despite the loss, Marin Catholic was riding high after winning the MCAL title and making it to the playoffs after a strong performance in the North Coast Section. The Wildcats were even eyeing a potential home game after top-seed Buchanan’s surprising loss to No. 16 Jesuit.

Senior captain Joe Hammond reflected on the game and the season, saying, “We were confident coming into this game… but they were a very, very skilled team. They were definitely the most skilled team we played all season.” King’s Academy showcased their depth with five players scoring in double figures, led by Adrian Barnett, who recorded 20 points and nine rebounds.

The game started competitively, with Marin Catholic leading 40-37 at halftime, thanks to sharp shooting from Oliver Myers, who netted 11 of his team-high 16 points in the first half. Hammond noted, “I think we took them by surprise a little bit… you have got to work, you have got to play hard and be dogs out there.”

However, the momentum shifted in the second half. Marin Catholic led by three points at 50-47 midway through the third quarter but struggled to maintain their lead. Barnett’s fastbreak dunk late in the third made it 51-50 in favor of King’s Academy, signaling a shift in the game’s dynamics.

After tying it again at 58-58 early in the fourth, the Wildcats faced relentless pressure from King’s Academy, who capitalized on missed shots and secured crucial rebounds, turning them into fastbreak opportunities. The Wildcats ultimately could not keep pace, leading to a disappointing end to their playoff run.

Vasquez acknowledged the defeat, saying, “We lost to a very good team without a doubt… But we were ahead at halftime and then we couldn’t get a stop or make a shot.” In addition to Myers, only senior Micah Pierce reached double figures with 10 points, while also grabbing six rebounds and blocking a shot. Other contributors included Chase Williams with nine points and Jack Herman with eight.

As the Wildcats regrouped in the locker room, Vasquez noted the disappointment among the players, stating, “There were a lot of sad kids… but when they are able to look back on the season without emotion, they are going to realize what they accomplished.” The experience gained this season is expected to benefit Marin Catholic for years to come.

Looking ahead, fans and players alike will be eager to see how the Wildcats build on this season’s success and prepare for future challenges on the court.