The Redwood (Larkspur, CA) varsity water polo team will play a home playoff game against Tamalpais (Mill Valley, CA) today at 2:30 PM at Marin Academy. This match is part of the “2024 NCS Boys Water Polo Championships – Division 1” tournament.

Tamalpais vs Redwood Water Polo Game Info:

What: California High School Water Polo
Who: Tamalpais vs Redwood
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Watch here:Watch here

Game preview: Tamalpais vs Redwood

As the 2024-2025 high school water polo season draws to a close, one matchup stands out in the Northern California region: Tamalpais versus Redwood. The teams have faced each other before, with Redwood securing a commanding victory in their most recent meeting. Let’s take a closer look at both teams’ performance, their strengths and weaknesses, and what fans can expect from this exciting rivalry.

Team Overview

Tamalpais High School (Mill Valley, CA) enters the matchup with an overall record of 17-11. The team has shown strong play throughout the season with a 6-4 league record and a solid 346 goals scored, though their 262 goals against shows there is room for improvement defensively. Tamalpais has been especially strong at home, with a 6-4 record, but has faced challenges on the road with a 5-5 away record.

On the other hand, Redwood High School (Larkspur, CA) boasts an impressive record of 26-3, making them one of the top teams in the state. Their league record stands at 9-2, with an undefeated 9-0 at home, and a strong 6-1 away record. Redwood has been dominant on both sides of the ball, scoring 392 goals and allowing just 240, showcasing their well-rounded capabilities.

Key Stats and Team Performance

Both teams have had solid offensive performances this season. Tamalpais averages 12.4 goals per game, while Redwood averages 13.5 goals per game, a slight edge that could prove pivotal in their upcoming encounter. Both teams have scored consistently in the first three quarters, but Redwood has shown more in the final quarter, averaging 3.2 goals per game compared to Tamalpais’s 3.2. In overtime, Redwood has a slight advantage with 2.0 points in the first overtime, while Tamalpais averages just 1.0.

Head-to-Head

The most recent meeting between these two teams came on September 25, 2024, where Redwood emerged victorious with a commanding 15-5 win over Tamalpais. This game featured dominant scoring from Redwood, who outpaced Tamalpais in every quarter. With Redwood’s strong overall performance and ability to control the game, Tamalpais will need to regroup and look to execute better in their playoff match.

Team Leaders

Both teams have standout players who have made significant contributions throughout the season. For Tamalpais, Reed Hanna leads the team with 62 goals, followed by Andrew Sternfels with 35 assists. Defensively, Hanna also leads with 26 steals, showcasing his versatility. Meanwhile, Redwood’s Ossie Joplin has been a powerhouse with 99 goals, while Maddox McClellan adds 62 assists. Defensively, Sawyer Goldberg has been a key player, contributing a goals-against average of 4.0, one of the best in the league.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar competition this season, with mixed results. For example, both teams defeated San Marin, Marin Catholic, and San Rafael, showcasing their dominance over local rivals. However, Tamalpais lost to Archie Williams and Campolindo, while Redwood secured wins against these same teams. Redwood has proven more consistent against common opponents, which gives them the edge in head-to-head comparisons.

Playoff Implications

The upcoming playoff game between Tamalpais and Redwood is critical for both teams, especially with Redwood’s superior overall record and undefeated home record. Tamalpais will need to improve their defensive play and capitalize on their offensive strengths to upset the higher-ranked Redwood team. On the other hand, Redwood will look to continue their dominant season and solidify their position as one of the top teams in Northern California.

In conclusion, fans can expect a highly competitive game between these two rival teams, with Redwood favored to win based on their current form. However, Tamalpais is no stranger to playoff pressure and will look to pull off an upset in front of their home crowd. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle!