Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

As the No. 1 seed in Division IV, Marina’s girls basketball team holds home court advantage throughout the CIF Southern California Regional. But when the Vikings take the court in the semifinals on Saturday, they won’t be in their home gym.

Marina (20-14) will face No. 5 Palisades (14-13) at nearby Ocean View High because the Vikings’ gymnasium is playing host to a drumline show, Marina coach Danny Roussel and athletic director Nick Racklin confirmed Friday.

“We have a big drumline show at our school (Saturday) that we could not maneuver around,” Racklin said.

Racklin, who is Marina’s boys basketball coach, added that his athletics department has known about the drumline show “for months.”

Marina’s band website displays its support of athletics among several activities. Band is considered a varsity sport, according to the website.

Roussel said despite the location change, the Vikings will be ready as they appear in their second regional semifinal in four years.

“Our girls will be ready to play anytime or place,” said Roussel, who led Marina to a runner-up at state in 2023.

Marina claimed the No. 1 seed in Division IV after placing third in the Sunset League and reaching the CIF-SS Division 4 semifinals.

In a 60-55 win against Savanna on Thursday, the Vikings started seniors Rylee Bradley, Cheyenne Abrams and Anaya Rivera, along with juniors Vanessa La Mont and Carleen Nguyen.

Bradley, a four-year starting guard, is 18 points away from reaching 2,700 for her career.

Palisades rallied in the second half to edge Kennedy 61-59 in the first round Tuesday. The Dolphins, an Open Division qualifier in the LA City Section, beat Hillcrest 42-39 in the second round.

Marina and Palisades both play up-tempo, feature 3-point shooters and good depth.

Racklin likes how the Vikings are playing entering Saturday.

“I think our girls have proven they can win anywhere and they are playing with enormous confidence right now,” he said.

In the other Division 4 semifinal Saturday, No. 2 Godinez plays host to No. 3 Tulare Union.

Related Articles