Girls basketball: Branson gets another big scoring night from Myerberg in win against Tam

Even when her 3-pointers aren’t falling, Avery Myerberg is a force for the Branson School girls basketball team.

The 5-foot-9 senior guard scored 28 points, including 8 for 8 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, to seal the Bulls’ 47-38 win over Tam on Monday night in the MCAL quarterfinals.

Fifth-seeded Branson (15-11) meets top-seeded Redwood for the third time this season in the MCAL semifinals on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Larkspur. No. 3 San Marin plays at No. 2 Marin Catholic on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Two nights after she nailed 10 3-pointers for a career-high 40 points, the Amherst College-bound Myerberg was stymied by the Red-tailed Hawks’ box-and-one defense. Defended by Tam freshman Piper Swift, Myerberg did not score her first long-range bucket until there was 3:20 remaining in the first half.

“We haven’t really faced that many box-and-ones this year so that was definitely hard for our team at the beginning,” said Myerberg. “But after a while I realized they were giving me the middle. My shots weren’t really falling so I thought I might as well drive.”

In her first playoff game, Swift’s defense against one of the MCAL’s top players was a key factor in helping the Red-tailed Hawks thrive early on and carry a one-point lead into halftime.

“It’s fun, but it’s also scary,” said Swift, who also hopes to make the Tam lacrosse team. “She’s definitely a good shooter. She has very good ball skills.”

Limited to eight first-half points, Myerberg converted 11 of 12 free throws in the second half to help the Bulls pull away. The Bulls also got nine points from Alyssa Huang and eight points from freshman Kate Spaulding.

Tam (10-13), which expects to receive an at-large berth to next week’s NCS tournament, was led by senior Tula Peltz with 11 points, five steals and five rebounds. Jordan Harrosh had a season-high 11 points. Ayla Koch-Bergren owned the boards with 18 rebounds, two blocks and seven points.

“Tam came out with a great strategy,” said Branson coach Bruce Pruiett. “Our players did a good job in the second half trying to get to the basket, going up a little bit stronger, making extra passes and playing under control.”

After trailing 21-20 at halftime, the Bulls opened scoring in the third quarter with a 3-pointer from Myerberg to go ahead 23-21. Although the Hawks never led the rest of the way, they tied the game twice and pulled to within 36-34 midway in the fourth quarter.

Showing her court vision, Myerberg dished off a nice pass to Spaulding, who drained a 3-pointer for a 39-34 edge and the Bulls never looked back.

Tam defeated Branson 48-36 in the MCAL regular season. Myerberg missed that game due to a hip injury so she was very excited to help the Bulls prevail this time around.

The Bulls also expect to earn an at-large berth to NCS and see their rematch with Redwood as a great chance to prepare for sectionals.

“I’m excited,” said Myerberg. “It’s going to be our third time playing them and we haven’t won yet but I think third time’s the charm.”

Around the county

Abby Bartholo scored 13 points, all in the first half, as host San Marin built a big early lead en route to a 52-31 MCAL playoff win against Archie Williams on Monday.

San Marin (21-6) put together a 26-8 run during the second quarter against the Peregrine Falcons (15-11) to take a 37-15 lead into the half. Eleanna Schram scored nine for the Mustangs, who move on to face Marin Catholic in a semifinal at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Kentfield. Quincy Dean just missed a double double with nine points and 11 rebounds. Angel Stickle scored eight points and Delaney Butler added seven.

Reese Patton paced the Peregrine Falcons with 11 points and Kaiya Chiu provided a spark off the bench with four points. Archie Williams is expected to qualify for the North Coast Section playoffs.