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Sports

Senior-less Marin Academy Has High Hopes

More than half of the Wildcats' girls basketball players are freshmen, but that's not stopping coach Steve Tillson from envisioning a run at the league title.

The girls at Marin Academy feel nearly ready to take their shot at the Bay Counties League basketball title. Making that shot is another matter entirely for the free-wheeling Wildcats.

Marin Academy (4-4) is still finding its feet with a squad that's about as raw as they get. The Wildcats have just two juniors and two sophomores. The rest of the lineup comes from the freshman class.

"We can still win despite cold shooting," MA coach Steve Tillson said after his squad rolled past undermanned Leadership Academy of San Francisco 47-11 in a non-league game on Saturday. "I'm pleased to see the competitiveness from the kids. It can be frustrating when the ball isn't going in the hoop, but they keep trying."

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Tillson is hoping MA will force its way into the title picture this season, but he's possibly more concerned about next season.

"To some extent, we're building for the future," Tillson said. "This is a very young team. I'd like the girls to have a good experience this season and to use that to build for the next few seasons."

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Some of Tillson's players were still learning the rules when the season started three weeks ago. While their education isn't yet complete, the Wildcats are a lot further along.

"Our practices have been very effective. We're seeing things from practice show up in games," Tillson said.

Tillson is counting on juniors Emily Klein and Charlotte Mara to lead the way for the Wildcats. Klein is the team's leading scorer and second-leading rebounder. Mara is still developing her shot, but uses all of her 6-foot frame to establish herself as an effective rebounder.

"It's every coach's dream to have a (player) who can act as a coach on the floor. I might have two players," Tillson said. "We'll see how the team develops."

The Wildcats host Danville's Athenian tonight and Sonoma Academy on Jan. 4. Marin Academy opens league play Jan. 11 against University.

MARIN ACADEMY GIRLS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Nov. 23 def. Richmond, 49-27
Dec. 2 def. Bentley, 44-43
Dec. 3 lost to St. Joseph, 61-11
Dec. 4 lost to San Rafael, 38-26
Dec. 7 lost to Tamalpais, 38-19
Dec. 9 def. Emery, 33-30
Dec. 10 lost to Branson, 56-18
Dec. 18 def. Leadership, 47-11
Dec. 21 lost to Athenian, 59-25
Jan. 4  vs. Sonoma Academy, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 11 vs. University, 7 p.m.
Jan. 15 vs. Roseland Prep, 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 19 at Lick-WIlmerding, 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 21 at Drew, 4 p.m.
Jan. 22 at Berean Christian, 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 vs. Convent, 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 vs. University, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 3  vs. Lick-Wilmerding, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 8  vs. Drew, 4 p.m.
Feb. 11 at Convent, 5:30 p.m.

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