Marin Catholic girls basketball head coach Kayden Korst holds their plaque defeating Justin-Siena 65-54 at the NorCal Division III girls basketball championship game at Marin Catholic in Kentfield, Calif. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Marin Catholic head coach Kayden Korst shouts instructions to her players during the first quarter of a NorCal Division III girls’ high school basketball game against Moreau Catholic, Saturday, March 8, 2025 in Kentfield, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Marin’s Abigail Bartholo, left, guards Avery Myerberg of Branson during their MCAL girls basketball game in Novato, Calif. on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. San Marin defeated Branson 47-31. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Gianna Garbarino of San Marin passes the ball while being defended by Paige Macy and Kate Spaulding of Branson during their MCAL girls basketball game in Novato, Calif. on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. San Marin defeated Branson 47-31. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico girls basketball head coach Dave Levine talks to his team during a timeout at their non-league girls basketball game at San Domenico School in San Anselmo, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. San Domenico defeated Marin Catholic 55-46. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico assistant coach Dave Levine (left) and Head coach Mike Fulton talk with Summer Jenkins (15) of San Domenico on the bench during a game against Maria Carrillo at Dominican University in San Rafael, Calif. on Dec. 20, 2023. (Douglas Zimmerman/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico assistant coach Dave Levine (center) during a time out in a game against Maria Carrillo at Dominican University in San Rafael, Calif. on Dec. 20, 2023. (Douglas Zimmerman/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico girls assistant basketball coach Shasta Shasta Parker, left, chats with Marin Catholic girls basketball head coach Kayden Korst before their game at San Domenico School in San Anselmo, Calif. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Marin Catholic girls basketball head coach Kayden Korst congratulates each of her players after defeating Justin-Siena 65-54 at the NorCal Division III girls basketball championship game at Marin Catholic in Kentfield, Calif. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Kayden Korst of San Domenico makes a lay up during the Panthers’ game against Branson in Ross, Calif. on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)
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Marin Catholic girls basketball head coach Kayden Korst holds their plaque defeating Justin-Siena 65-54 at the NorCal Division III girls basketball championship game at Marin Catholic in Kentfield, Calif. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Months after capturing the CIF State Division III crown in her first season as head coach of the Marin Catholic girls basketball team, Kayden Korst is bringing that momentum and experience to a new opportunity, not far away.
The Branson School in Ross recently announced Korst would take over the girls basketball program there after Bruce Pruiett decided to step away.
Pruiett, a longtime Branson employee who also served as the JV girls basketball coach before stepping up to coach the varsity team, will remain on campus as the strength and conditioning coach.
“I am excited to begin this new chapter at Branson,” Korst said. “We are returning a group of strong leaders and are welcoming a talented freshman class. We are ready to compete and can’t wait for the 25-26 season.”
Marin Catholic (26-11) beat Mater Dei Catholic, 48-38, with an inspired effort by seniors Sienna Frazier, Jocelyn Gigounas and Izzy McFadden and sophomore Brooke Spagnuolo in Sacramento for the second CIF State girls basketball championship in school history. Korst, 23, was just 6 months old the last time the Wildcats won the title.
Korst’s coaching career at Marin Catholic ended soon after the championship celebrations were over as school administrators and Korst reportedly decided it would be best to part ways. Neither party would go on record with details about the separation.
Korst’s job search didn’t last long after she applied for the vacant position at Branson.
“We had a number of applicants,” Branson director of athletics Frances Dillon said. “Her love of the game and her energy impressed us. When we interviewed her, she brought an incredible presence and energy to the table.”
There had been rumors Korst might return to San Domenico, where her jersey hangs retired in the gym.
Korst is joined by former San Domenico girls basketball head coach David Levine, a Branson alum, and Diamond Alexander, who was a rising star on Pruiett’s coaching staff.
“I had a great experience at San Domenico,” Levine said, “I absolutely loved it. They asked me to return as head coach, but with work and my family, two daughters in school, being a head coach was too much emotionally. I made the hard decision and sadly stepped away from San Domenico. But I stepped away knowing that I wanted to be an assistant coach with KK. I as going to be an assistant with KK at Marin Catholic before she left there. I am thrilled to be at Branson with her. I’m a Branson alum and I played for Jonas Honick at Branson.”
Levine continued, “Want to coach with KK. We’re very good friends, we’re basketball kindred sprits. We’re constantly sharing ideas. KK is one of the best young coaches in the country.She is uniquely talented as a coach, both in terms of understanding the game and the Xs and Os and picking up on things, but she’s also incredible at building culture. You could see that in her MC team.”
Branson (16-13) and San Domenico (14-15) were on track for a showdown in the semifinals of the North Coast Section D-III playoffs last season, but both fell short. The Bulls fell to Dougherty Valley in the second round of the NCS playoffs with a team laden with senior talent, including Paige Macy, Maya De Santiago, and Avery Myerberg.
Korst inherits a roster that includes Class of 2026 members Barbara Hernandez and Maryn McConnell, plus young talent in Alyssa Huang, Kate Spaulding, Melody Farhid, Juliette Caldwell-Little, Montana Newsom, and Elaiyah Sullivan-Boyd.
“I look forward to building a strong program of young female athletes,” Korst said. “The girls on the team have bought into the future of Branson girls basketball and have welcomed me with open arms.”