Sports briefs: Branson wins Silver Division at Durango Classic
The Branson School girls volleyball team won six of seven games to take home the Silver Division championship at the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday.
“The only loss we had on the weekend was to the No. 2 seeded team in the nation from Texas and both (sets) were very competitive,” Branson coach Michelle Brazil said.
Branson lost to Cornerstone Christian of San Antonio in its first game of the day to land in the second-tier silver bracket. The Bulls (15-4) won their next three games to win the bracket, which also included NorCal powerhouses Archbishop Mitty and Saint Francis — teams Branson lost to a week ago.
Branson took down Archbishop Mitty head-to-head in the first round of the silver bracket. Sadie Snipes and Elena Fisher led the attack with 15 and 11 kills, respectively. Abby King added eight kills, followed closely by Celia Tolmie (six), Logan Tusher (six), and Cayman Stein (five).
The defense was similarly balanced with five Bulls in double digits. Lauren Dignan (18) led the way, followed by Dylan Whisenant (13), Tolmie (12), Fisher (12), and Tusher (10).
Branson took down Xavier College Prep from Phoenix — the team that defeated Saint Francis — in the semifinals. The Bulls capped their day with a win over Lone Peak (Utah) to finish ninth overall in one of the top prep volleyball tournaments in the nation.
Fisher, Snipes, Tolmie and Tusher all had six kills in the two-set win and King added five. Dignan again paced the team in digs with 16.
Branson’s ninth-place finish was the best of any NorCal team, with Saint Francis finishing in 13th and Archbishop Mitty placing 15th.
Prep football
Quarterback Dominic Scafani ran for a season-high 237 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns as Novato cruised to a 32-0 road win against Richmond on Friday night.
Scafani opened the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and the Hornets (2-3) took that lead into the half.
Novato’s defense registered its first of two safeties to open the third then Scafani broke loose for touchdown runs of 43 and 52 yards. Scafani tossed a 45-yard touchdown pass to Sal Carrow in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.
Nikolai Pasada had seven tackles (two for loss), a sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Owen Teperson had six tackles (three for loss) and a sack. Carrow also recovered a fumble.
- The Branson School rolled past winless Elsie Allen, 60-0, in Friday night’s league opener for the 8-man football teams. The Bulls (2-2, 1-0) are scheduled to host Calistoga (3-1) on Saturday. Branson defeated Calistoga, 42-12, last season.
Flag football
Griffin Oppelt was the standout player as San Domenico posted a 40-14 victory against Valley Christian. Lucas Willcuts had an interception for the Panthers (3-2) and A.J. He had a touchdown.
Boys water polo
Reed Hanna scored six goals, had four steals, and drew four kick-outs as Tam battled Monte Vista in the finals of the Vintage Valley Tournament on Saturday. Monte Vista held on for a 10-9 overtime win and Tam settled for second place.
Tam started the day with a 12-8 semifinal victory against Foothill of Pleasanton. Andrew Sternfels had four goals, two steals and an assist while Ouin Concannon scored four times. Bern Kent had three assists and Hanna scored twice.
Girls golf
Lola Spendov posted the best round of the day with a 39 at Mill Valley Golf Course on Thursday to lead Tam to a 193-198 win against Marin Catholic. Alessia Ducati added a 48 for Tam. Lexi Ferguson paced the Wildcats with a 46.