This article details San Marin High School’s decisive postseason win over Alhambra, 86-68. The victory avenged a narrow regular-season defeat and highlighted San Marin’s depth and drive as Marin County basketball fans in Novato, San Rafael, and the surrounding towns tuned in for a key playoff matchup.
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Postseason Victory Keeps San Marin’s Run Alive
San Marin center court in Novato exploded to life as the Mustangs jumped on Alhambra early and never paused. The 86-68 win marked a strong statement for a program building momentum in Marin County’s fierce high school basketball landscape.
The victory lifts San Marin to 17-13 on the season. It serves as a reminder of the team’s resilience after an earlier 55-52 loss to Alhambra, a game that still stings in the halls of the San Marin Mustangs gym in northern Marin.
Fans from downtown Novato to the beaches of Sausalito and the bayside of San Rafael watched as San Marin executed a balanced attack. The Mustangs overwhelmed the Bulldogs on both ends of the floor.
Senior guard Grant Means led the way with 24 points on a 62% shooting night. He added seven assists and four steals, carving open lanes and creating for teammates.
Jackson Young posted a double-double, finishing with 15 points and 12 rebounds. San Marin is undefeated when he reaches double-digit boards.
The Mustangs also benefitted from Joey Engler chipping in eight points and six rebounds. He helped push the team’s ball movement.
The final stat line underscored a team effort. San Marin finished with 23 assists, showing off a collective, unselfish game plan that left Alhambra searching for answers.
Shining Stars: Means, Young, and the Supporting Cast
The Bay Area tilt showcased the potency of San Marin’s depth. Means wasn’t just scoring; he was distributing, pressuring the lane, and getting San Marin into its best flow.
Jackson Young dominated the boards, pulling down 12 rebounds to punctuate a commitment to second-chance opportunities. That work on the glass frustrated Alhambra’s attack.
The Mustangs’ 23 assists reflected a well-rehearsed offensive attack. They prioritized ball movement and high-percentage shots, a hallmark of Marin County coaching that resonates from Mill Valley through Corte Madera.
For Alhambra, the night belonged to Cooper Largent, who poured in 23 points—about a third of his team’s total. That’s his third straight game leading the Bulldogs’ scoring.
Vinnie Taylor added 18 points. Still, the Bulldogs just couldn’t keep pace with San Marin’s multi-pronged attack.
Alhambra did distribute the ball with 12 assists. But San Marin’s efficiency and depth proved too much as the Marin crowds in Larkspur and Fairfax stayed loud, while the Novato bleachers shook with final buzzer energy.
Alhambra’s Balanced Attack Falls Short
Even with a concerted team effort, Alhambra couldn’t counter San Marin’s balance. The Bulldogs relied on a few high-usage scorers, but the Mustangs’ ability to spread the wealth—paired with timely defense—made the difference.
The game showcased the kind of Marin County talent depth that program boosters in Tiburon and Sausalito love to see as the postseason approaches. It’s just another reason San Marin keeps popping up in county basketball conversations.
Looking Ahead for Marin County High School Basketball
With the win, San Marin improved to 17-13 on the season. The Mustangs reinforced their reputation as a tough, playoff-tested squad in the Marin County mix, which also includes programs in San Rafael, Novato, and parts of Cotati-adjacent neighborhoods.
Alhambra, now at 20-10, took its second straight loss. It’s a tough setback for a Bulldogs team that’s had a strong year in Contra Costa county’s shadow, but they’ll have to regroup.
At the time of writing, neither team had a next opponent announced. Marin County fans across Novato’s Hamilton field and the greater Bay Area are left waiting for the postseason schedule to drop. The anticipation is real.
For folks following high school hoops in Marin, this win is a reminder of why North Bay teams—especially from the Novato and San Rafael corridors—always seem to be in the mix. There’s something about this victory that feels like a turning point, maybe even a spark for a late run.
The Mustangs are heading into the postseason with momentum, hoping for deeper playoff runs. Families from Mill Valley, Corte Madera, and Larkspur pack the stands whenever San Marin hosts a game, and you can sense the energy building.
- San Marin’s depth and ball movement have given Marin County fans new hope for the postseason, particularly in Novato and San Rafael.
- Key players like Grant Means and Jackson Young show off the county’s focus on guard play and rebounding at the high school level.
- The Schuyler-curve season in Marin County is still rolling, and the Mustangs are building a culture that coaches in Sausalito and Tiburon might want to copy.
Here is the source article for this story: Basketball Recap: San Marin Wins Going Away Against Alhambra
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