San Marin Boys Basketball Chases Historic NorCal Win

The latest chapter in Marin County high school basketball just unfolded, and wow, San Marin High School’s boys team rolled over Woodland Christian, 69-30. That win secured them a spot in the NorCal Division V regional semifinals in Santa Rosa.

The No. 3 seed Mustangs, based in the Novato-San Rafael corridor, now sit at 19-13. Next up, they’re set to face No. 2 Rancho Cotate in a Friday or Saturday showdown—one that could push them closer to Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center and, who knows, maybe a CIF State Championship berth.

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It’s a milestone for a program that hasn’t made it to the CIF State final. Honestly, Marin County fans are buzzing—there’s a real sense that something special is brewing.

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San Marin’s NorCal quarterfinal win signals a historic regional run

San Marin’s progress means a lot, not just for the coaches and players, but for the whole Marin County basketball scene. You can feel it in communities from Mill Valley to Fairfax and out to San Anselmo.

The Mustangs last reached the NorCal regionals in 2017. They’ve never advanced to a state championship game, so this is new territory.

With two more wins, they could be heading to state. The team’s chemistry and balance have grown with every game—on their home court and in nearby gyms around Corte Madera and Larkspur.

Coach Chris Lavdiotis talked about turning disappointment into fuel after San Marin missed the MCAL playoff field. That loss to Archie Williams in the regular season stung, but it sharpened their focus.

This group has embraced the underdog role. Senior co-captain Anthony Elwell summed it up: “It’s our time now.” He didn’t dwell on the historic aspect, just kept it steady—classic Marin County leadership, honestly.

Key numbers and pivotal moments fueling the surge

Fans from all around Marin—San Rafael, Mill Valley, Sausalito—watched a team effort, not just one guy taking over. The stat sheet tells the story: a strong second half, tough defense, and a program that’s clearly grown since last year.

Here’s what stood out from the Woodland Christian game:

Grant Means put up 14 points, with 12 coming in the second half as the Mustangs really pulled away.
Kellen Dunning and Jake Beisler each added nine points. That kind of balance makes them tough to scout.
Jackson Young was a force on defense—10 rebounds, two blocks, two steals. He brought energy on both ends.
Miller Morgan started hot with 11 first-half points but left in the second quarter after an ankle injury. Coaches and fans are crossing their fingers he’ll be ready for Santa Rosa.
Depth mattered. Brayden Bowermaster, Landry Hutchens, and Joseph Volpe all chipped in late to help widen the gap.
The Mustangs exploded out of the gate with a 15-0 run, then closed the first half on a 9-0 burst. That early momentum just carried them the rest of the way.

Looking ahead: a big test awaits in Santa Rosa

Saturday’s trip to Santa Rosa to face Rancho Cotate marks a real checkpoint for a Marin County team that’s proven it can hang with the region’s best. The matchup with Rancho Cotate—the No. 2 seed in this NorCal tide pool—puts San Marin in a spot to punch its ticket to the CIF State stage if it keeps the same rhythm and grit that got them past Woodland Christian.

Santa Rosa feels familiar for a lot of Marin players. They’ve logged plenty of games at venues there, whether it’s youth leagues or those cold, echoing high school gyms in the winter.

In the days before the next game, the Mustangs will lean on their chemistry and that balanced roster. Honestly, their focus in Novato and San Rafael is all about execution and defense—and maybe a bit of that stubborn confidence that comes from proving people wrong.

That attitude? It’s been the backbone of Marin County basketball for decades. If San Marin can keep the momentum from this quarterfinal win, fans in Fairfax, Larkspur, and beyond might just witness a historic climb toward the State Championship stage in Sacramento.

Stay tuned for updates from Santa Rosa as the NorCal semifinals unfold. San Marin’s got its eyes on a spot among Marin’s all-time great teams, chasing a place in the state tournament.

Here is the source article for this story: Boys basketball: San Marin in pursuit of history with NorCal win

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