Preps of the week: Branson girls win their second state title
The Branson School girls cross country team had a stellar performance over the weekend in Fresno, winning the Division V race to capture the second state title in program history.
Archie Williams’ top runners on both the boys and girls side capped their strong postseasons with strong individual times at the State Meet.
Elsewhere, the Redwood football team’s best postseason run ended one step shy of a section title. The Giants built a 14-point lead in the first half but were unable to slow down American Canyon in the second half.
High-scoring standouts helped San Domenico and San Rafael to victories in boys basketball. San Marin and Novato got big performances to earn wins in girls basketball.
Farah Allen and Audrey Spaly, Branson girls cross country
Allen and Spaly led the Bulls to the state title as both finished inside the top 10 in the Division V race at the State Meet on Saturday on the 5,000-meter course at Woodward Park in Fresno. Allen crossed the finish line in a time of 18 minutes, 27.9 seconds to finish in eighth place. Audrey Spaly was just behind her with a time of 18:29.3 to finish in 10th. The Bulls also got key scoring contributions from Imogen Brown (19:07.8, 30th), Maya Gidney (19:17.4, 32nd), and Hailey Sellers (19:18.0, 33rd). Branson last won a state title in 2013 when it was led by Julia Maxwell and Anna Harleen.
Ian Sharp, Archie Williams boys cross country
Sharp turned in the fastest time of any Marin runner at the State Meet in Fresno, crossing the finish line in 15:31.2 to place ninth in the D-IV race. Sharp’s performance helped the Peregrine Falcons, who have qualified for State in 10 consecutive postseasons, finish in sixth place.
Ani Stieg, Archie Williams girls cross country
Stieg produced the best time by any female runner from Marin at the State Meet, finishing in 17:59.6 to place sixth individually in the D-IV race. Stieg’s performance helped Archie Williams place seventh as a team.
Kody Vasquez, Sean Cunneen, and Dylan McGrath, Redwood football
Redwood’s offense was rolling in the first half of the North Coast Section Division IV championship game against American Canyon on Saturday night. The Giants held a 14-point lead lead late in the second quarter following a rushing touchdown by Cunneen and a pair of Vasquez-to-McGrath scoring passes. American Canyon scored the next four touchdowns to win 35-28 and deny Redwood the first section title in program history. Vasquez threw for 211 yards and had three touchdowns — the last of which went to Ashlin Quach with just over a minute left for the final margin. Cunneen, battling through an ankle injury, had 81 rushing yards and caught two passes for 50 yards. McGrath caught three balls for 30 yards.
Gabe Casanovas, St. Vincent de Paul football
Casanovas, a Novato resident, didn’t need to put up gaudy numbers to help lead the Mustangs to their third section title in four seasons. Casanovas completed 7 of 9 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown as St. Vincent ended Sonoma Valley’s bid for an undefeated season following a 51-7 victory at Casa Grande High on Saturday. Casanovas also carried the ball nine times for 26 yards. Casanovas, along with a handful of other Novato residents, will try to lead St. Vincent to another win this Friday in a NorCal Regional Bowl game at Hughson.
Gavin Early, San Domenico boys basketball
Early helped the Panthers bounce back following a loss to San Rafael, putting together a huge stat line to lead San Domenico to a 69-25 victory against American Canyon on Saturday. Early scored 16 points, pulled down eight rebounds, and added six steals and six assists. San Domenico is set to host three games this coming week, with International on Tuesday, Tam on Thursday, and Maria Carrillo on Saturday.
Gio Brovelli, San Rafael boys basketball
Brovelli scored a season-high 40 points as the Bulldogs rolled past Maria Carrillo 82-56 on Wednesday. Brovelli made seven 3-pointers in the game and temporarily raised his scoring average to 29.7 points through three games. Brovelli cooled off, somewhat, scoring a team-high 18 points in a 64-33 road win against Vintage on Saturday as the Bulldogs improved to 4-0. San Rafael plays a road game against Tam on Wednesday then competes in the Novato tournament starting on Thursday.
Abby Bartholo, San Marin girls basketball
Bartholo hit five 3-pointers en route to a 20-point game as the Mustangs took down Eureka 44-33 at the Pinole Valley Showcase. Bartholo was named the MVP of the game as San Marin improved to 2-0. The Mustangs are in action at the Miramonte tournament this week, beginning Thursday with a game against Northgate.
Claire Hannan, Novato girls basketball
Hannan outscored Urban by herself, putting up 19 points in Novato’s 50-13 victory on Saturday. Hannan also pulled down 12 rebounds for the Hornets, who improved to 4-1 on the season. Novato is set to compete in the St. Vincent de Paul tournament this week, starting Thursday with a game against Swett.
Alexander Berkowitz, Redwood boys wrestling
Berkowitz compiled a 4-1 record in the 165-pound bracket to take second place at the Redwood Rumble in Larkspur on Saturday. Redwood’s Jake Heravi took third place at 157 pounds and Novato’s Braeden Carroll took third in the heavyweight bracket.