This early-season matchup didn’t take place in Marin County, but the story would feel right at home to any hoops fan from Mill Valley to Novato. A senior-led squad finding its rhythm, a tense tournament finish—every possession matters in December.
Mill Valley’s Jaguars battled their way to a tight 54–46 win over the Andover Trojans. They showed the kind of grit and execution prep fans from San Rafael to Sausalito live for each winter.
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Mill Valley’s Jaguars Start Hot with Tournament Triumph
The Jaguars’ win over Andover gave Mill Valley a perfect 2–0 start to the season. That’s a foundation coaches from Fairfax to Tiburon would envy.
Tournament settings? Brutal. Mill Valley handled the neutral-court pressure that often rattles less seasoned lineups.
In gyms across Marin County—from the hardwood in Larkspur to the courts in Corte Madera—coaches preach the same thing: build identity, lean on your seniors, and learn to close out tight games. Mill Valley checked all three boxes here.
Senior Star Reece Riedel Sets the Tone
Senior guard/forward Reece Riedel was the engine of Mill Valley’s attack. He poured in 22 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and swiped three steals.
That’s the kind of all-around night that would draw nods from veteran coaches in Greenbrae and beyond. Riedel’s game wasn’t a one-off, either.
This contest was his fourth straight outing with at least 15 points. That kind of consistency and composure makes a difference when the game tightens in the fourth quarter.
If this were a Marin Catholic standout lighting up the scoreboard in Kentfield, you’d already be hearing his name whispered in recruiting circles from Ross to San Anselmo.
Supporting Cast Steps Up Around the Senior Core
Mill Valley’s win wasn’t a one-man show. Anyone who’s sat in a packed gym in San Rafael or Novato knows tournament success almost always comes down to depth and shared responsibility.
The Jaguars’ supporting cast delivered, with multiple players stepping into key roles. That kind of balance keeps defenses honest and coaches optimistic.
Carpenter and Carter Provide Crucial Balance
Jack Carpenter turned in a workmanlike, highly valuable line: 12 points and six rebounds. It’s the kind of stat sheet that might not generate headlines, but any seasoned observer from Mill Valley to Belvedere understands its importance.
Carpenter’s rebounding finished defensive possessions, and his scoring gave Riedel the breathing room to attack without carrying the whole load. JaKhai Carter added 11 points, giving Mill Valley a third reliable scoring option.
In tournament play—whether it’s a small high school gym in Sausalito or a bigger venue across the bay—having “the third guy” often separates advancing teams from early exits.
Here’s how Mill Valley’s offensive core stacked up:
A Tough Follow-Up Loss Underscores Early-Season Reality
The glow of back-to-back wins dimmed when Mill Valley dropped its next contest, a 59–54 loss to Piper on the 6th. That kind of quick turnaround—celebrating one night, regrouping after a loss the next—feels familiar to teams grinding through December schedules.
Early in the season, narrow defeats are often more instructive than blowout wins. They spotlight details: late-game possessions, rotations, foul trouble, and free throws.
Andover Looks Ahead to a Key Home Debut
On the other side of this matchup, Andover is finally gearing up to defend its home court. Marin County fans are used to packed gyms in places like San Anselmo and Kentfield, but Andover’s had to wait for its own crowd energy.
The Trojans will host McPherson at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, their first home game of the season. That date’s circled in red ink for players and coaches alike.
Home-Court Edge and Competitive Fire
Defending home court is a universal point of pride—whether you’re in Andover or packed into a raucous Friday night game in Mill Valley.
For Andover, this matchup against McPherson means a few things:
This tournament stretch for both Mill Valley and Andover really captures what makes high school basketball so compelling. From Marin County gyms to far-flung regional showcases, it’s about emerging talent, senior leadership, and the constant tension between triumph and teachable defeat.
Back home in Mill Valley, fans have plenty to get excited about. The Jaguars’ strong start—driven by Riedel, Carpenter, and Carter—feels like the beginning of a promising storyline as the season unfolds, possession by possession, all winter long.
Here is the source article for this story: Basketball Recap: Mill Valley Gets the Win + How To Watch
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