Kentfield, CA—Marin kicked off their Bay Valley Conference title defense this week, taking on Napa and Merritt. The Mariners, who entered the week at 6-7 on the year, looked well rested and ready for the challenge of repeating as Bay Valley Conference Champions.
On Tuesday the 5th Marin headed to Napa for their 14th straight game on the road. This game was doubly important for the Mariners as it marked not only the start of Bay Valley Conference play but a chance for revenge against the Storm. At the 40th Annual Kris Kringle Tournament Napa defeated Marin 69-66 in the third place game, a matchup Marin had felt confident going into. The Mariners started off the game pressuring Napa defensively, wreaking havoc and forcing the Storm to turn the ball over. The solid defense led to open looks on the offensive end, which Marin turned into points. Marin controlled the majority of the first half leading by as many as 12. However, a late push by Napa narrowed the lead to just 4 when heading into the locker rooms for halftime. Napa could not keep their momentum going into the second half as Marin went on a 10-0 run to start half number two and never looked back. Marin soundly defeated Napa by a final score of 86-67. Noah Everly finished with a game high 20 points thanks to three second-half three-pointers. Ty Davis added in 17 points of his own and Keiland Callum posted his third double-double of the season, finishing with 12 points and 10 boards.
Marin looked to start off conference play 2-0 when they took on Merritt Thursday evening in the Mariners first home game of the year. Everly was thoroughly enjoying the home rims in the first half as he exploded for 19 points, hitting three shots from downtown. Merritt was able to keep pace, however, tying the game at 39 before the half concluded. Where Everly left off George Johnson picked up, opening the second half by connecting on three three-pointers. Bobby Reeves had a stellar second half as well, scoring eight points, pulling down seven boards, and blocking two shots before he fouled out of the contest. Marin was in control the entirety of the second half and cruised to an 83-70 victory over Merritt. Noah Everly finished with a game high 23 points, George Johnson added in 15 points of his own, Ty Davis had his first double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 assists, and Keiland Callum extending his double digit scoring streak to six games.
Marin is now 8-7 overall, with a 2-0 record in the Bay Valley Conference—tying them with Solano for first place. The Mariners will be back in action next week as they go on the road for three straight games. First against Yuba on Tuesday, followed up by a game at Mendocino before wrapping up at Contra Costa.