The Bambauer Holiday Tournament tipped off this week in Kentfield. It served as a reminder that winter basketball in Marin County can be as unforgiving as a foggy morning on the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge.
San Marin High School’s boys basketball team rolled into Marin Catholic’s gym with a solid early-season record. They ran into a disciplined Central Catholic squad from Modesto and left with a 72-57 loss that raised more questions than answers for the Novato program.
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San Marin Stumbles Out of the Gate in Kentfield
Playing in the cozy, lively confines of Marin Catholic in Kentfield, the San Marin Mustangs looked ready to seize control for a moment. From Novato to Mill Valley, prep hoops fans know San Marin’s grit, but that edge was tough to spot as the game wore on.
Early Threes Offer Hope, but Momentum Slips Away
San Marin struck first with some long-range confidence. Jake Beisler and Kellen Dunning drained early three-pointers, giving the Mustangs a brief first-quarter lead and energizing the Novato faithful who made the trip down 101.
For a few possessions, it looked like the Mustangs might dictate the pace and tone against a Central Catholic team not used to Marin County gyms. But just as quickly, the tide turned.
Central Catholic settled in, started grabbing the 50-50 balls, and calmly chipped away. By the end of the opening quarter, the Raiders had seized momentum, and San Marin was chasing instead of leading.
Central Catholic Takes Control at Marin Catholic
The middle stages of the game showed why holiday tournaments like this Bambauer classic matter for teams from Novato, San Anselmo, and beyond. They expose weaknesses that regular-season wins can sometimes hide.
Halftime Swing Sets the Tone
Central Catholic’s Jordan Magana delivered the first big turning point. His put-back just before halftime gave the Raiders a 31-30 lead, a small edge that carried outsized psychological weight.
From Tiburon to Fairfax, coaches will tell you the final possession before the half sticks with players as they head to the locker room. San Marin, already frustrated by a lack of rhythm, never got the lead back.
Coming out of the break, Central Catholic pounced. They turned a tight game into a rout with a 29-10 run that stretched the margin to 60-40 heading into the fourth quarter.
Defensive Identity Goes Missing for the Mustangs
Across Marin—from Novato to Larkspur—San Marin has built a reputation for tough, disciplined defense in recent seasons. On this Marin Catholic floor, that identity disappeared at the worst possible time.
Scouting Report Ignored, Defense Breaks Down
Head coach Chris Lavdiotis didn’t sugarcoat it. He said his team failed to execute the scouting report and made almost no defensive impact.
Allowing 72 points after a stretch of strong defensive outings is the kind of stat that gnaws at a staff during film sessions back in Novato. In a county where programs at places like Redwood in Larkspur and Archie Williams in San Anselmo pride themselves on preparation and defensive toughness, San Marin’s lapse stood out.
The Raiders found open lanes, clean looks, and second-chance opportunities that a locked-in Mustang team just doesn’t usually allow.
Bright Spots: Morgan Leads, Support Falters
Even in a lopsided loss, individual efforts can point toward the future. San Marin’s veteran leadership did its best to keep the Mustangs afloat in Kentfield.
Captain Miller Morgan Sets the Standard
Team captain Miller Morgan stood out, finishing with 18 points, five rebounds, and a blocked shot. He was one of the few Mustangs who kept attacking, competing, and trying to wrestle the tempo back San Marin’s way.
Afterward, Morgan didn’t hold back, calling the effort “uncharacteristic” and citing a lack of intensity. Strong words from a leader who’s seen this group battle better against stronger opponents from outside Marin County.
Grant Means provided the only other double-figure scoring, dropping 10 points, all in the first half. Once he cooled off, the offense struggled to find another reliable option.
A brief fourth-quarter jolt came from reserve Jason Gillen, whose energy sparked the team for a moment. Central Catholic quickly rebuilt a 20-point cushion and sealed the deal.
Loser’s Bracket, New Opportunity in Marin
The loss drops San Marin to 7-4. The Mustangs now head into the loser’s bracket and return to the Marin Catholic floor on Friday morning.
This isn’t the outcome they’re used to. For a program that’s always fighting among the best in Marin County and beyond, it feels less like a setback and more like a stress test.
From the neighborhoods of Novato to the hills above San Rafael, the message is pretty clear. If San Marin wants to stay in the mix in the tough North Bay and Marin prep scene, this Bambauer stumble in Kentfield has to spark something—can they turn it around?
The Mustangs have the rest of the tournament and a long winter ahead. They’ll have to show everyone this was just a rare off-night, not a sign of things to come.
Here is the source article for this story: Boys basketball: San Marin struggles in its Bambauer opener
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