Sports Briefs: St. Vincent football stars Ellis, Chaput, Cassanovas commit
Novato residents Jack Ellis, George Chaput and Gabe Cassanovas joined the signing day ceremonies at St. Vincent de Paul School in Petaluma on Wednesday as they announced the next step in their football careers.
Ellis, who racked up 448 all purpose yards, 33 receptions and seven touchdowns, as well as 29 total tackles and a sack in his senior campaign for St. Vincent, committed to San Diego State. Chaput, who is heading for Carroll College in Montana, tallied 716 all purpose yards, 11 touchdowns and 17 receptions, in addition to 58 total tackles, eight tackles for a loss, and an interception.
Cassanovas, who announced his commitment to Western Oregon earlier in the year, Western Oregon University, had 2,340 all purpose yards and 21 touchdowns for the Mustangs (11-2), who advanced to the North Coast Section Division V championship game.
The trio won back-to-back CIF State football titles with the Mustangs in 2024 and 2025.
Girls basketball
Phoebe Saibel scored 19 points to lead Redwood High to a 63-19 victory over Analy in Tuesday’s non-league girls basketball contest. Sasha Fulford added nine points for the Giants (19-5, 7-0 MCAL), who also got eight points from Hindi Copeland.
San Domenico’s upset bid came up short as the Panthers (9-12, 4-5) dropped a 69-41 loss against University (16-9, 7-2) in Tuesday’s BCL showdown.
Marin Academy struggled to recover from a slow start in Tuesday’s 59-35 loss to Lick-Wilmerding in Tuesday’s BCL contest. Lick-Wilmerding (19-6, 7-2) is tied for the league lead with University, which lost to Marin Academy (15-9, 4-5) on Saturday.
Boys basketball
San Domenico rallied late to cut the gap to eight points, but fell to Bay Counties League leader University, 70-54, on Tuesday evening. Oskar Valiauga led the Panthers (17-8, 5-4 BCL) with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Stephen Song added 14 points, bolstered by four 3-pointers.
- Marin Academy fell 59-45 at home against Lick-Wilmerding in Tuesday’s BCL matchup. The Wildcats (15-10, 2-7) wrap up the regular season at Urban on Friday.
Men’s basketball
San Domenico grad Gavin Early scored 13 points as he got the start Tuesday in Santa Rosa JC’s 86-60 victory over Folsom Lake. The Bear Cubs (19-4, 9-2) are scheduled to face Cosumnes River on Friday.
College baseball
College of Marin’s game Wednesday at Diablo Valley College was called in the top of the ninth inning with the Mariners trailing 8-7 due to darkness. The game is scheduled to be completed on Friday, Feb. 20, in Kentfield when the teams meet again.
Reporting scores
Coaches are encouraged to report scores, stats and game details via email to sports@marinij.com or to @marinij_sports on Twitter following games. Anything that comes in after the deadline for print – around 8 p.m. typically – will be included the following day.

