Analy, Sonoma tied for first entering final stretch
The race for the Sonoma County League basketball crown will be decided this week, as the Analy Lady Tigers make a final push for the top spot.
At the start of play this week the Tigers were in a tie with defending champion Sonoma Valley at 9-1, with Healdsburg (6-4) and Petaluma (6-4) filling out the top four teams. Rounding out the league standings were Piner (3-6), El Molino (2-8) and Elsie Allen (0-9).
The Tigers (13-10 overall) are coming off a string of victories over Petaluma, Healdsburg and Elsie Allen to keep pace, and will close out the regular season schedule with home games against Piner (Feb. 9, after press time) and El Molino on Thursday, Feb. 11 (Senior Night). The varsity tip off at 7:30 p.m.
Also looming is the SCL playoff tournament, which kicks off next Thursday, Feb. 18 and involves the top four teams. Although order of finish has yet to be determined, the first-place team hosts number four in the opener, while number two entertains number three. The tourney title game will take place at Santa Rosa Junior College on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m.
Tigers’ hot streak
Analy played some of its best ball of the campaign last week, starting with a Feb. 1 meeting with visiting Petaluma. Fueled by an outstanding defensive effort and great play in the post of Bella Niedermair (19 points, 10 rebounds), the Tigers took charge from the opening tip and never looked back en route to a 51-26 rout.
“It was an incredible game both offensively and defensively from start to finish,” Analy coach Earl Pasamonte said. “The defensive attitude of our girls right now is awesome. We feel like we can hold anyone under 40 points, which is pretty special.”
Analy was out to stop leading scorers Hailey Roux and Grace Pillinini in a Feb. 4, clash at Healdsburg, and did just that in holding the pair to limited damage. The Tigers broke open a tight game with an 18-5 second-quarter run for a 27-13 halftime lead. The teams played on even terms for much of the second half as Analy cruised to a 44-30 win. DJ Hayes paced the Analy attack with 12 points, while Sarah Brown and Bailey Hunter chipped in eight points apiece.
“The best defensive performance hands down of the year for us,” Pasamonte noted. “The team felt the pressure of the game and stood up to it. We knew how close it was at home the first game (versus Healdsburg) and knew it would be even harder at their place, but managed to gut it out.”
Lions notch win
The Lady Lions (5-21) are coming off a split in a pair of recent games, falling to Sonoma Valley (70-30), but bouncing back to defeat Elsie Allen (53-32). El Mo will finish the season this week with games against Healdsburg (Feb. 9), and at Analy on Feb. 11.
El Molino played host to Sonoma Valley on Feb. 2, as the Dragons set the tone with a 21-3 run out of the gate before taking a 39-10 halftime lead. The Lions kept pace in the second half but Sonoma powered to a 70-30 win. Sisters Emily and Madison Dean led the El Mo attack with 7 and 5 points respectively.
The Lions notched their second league win at Elsie Allen two nights later, grabbing a commanding 33-13 advantage at the break. There was no let-up after intermission as El Mo cruised to a 53-32 win. Top scorers were Grace Anderson (9 points, 5 steals), Gabby Bushgen (9 points, 4 boards, 3 assists, 3 steals), Madison Dean (8 points, 7 boards), Leslie Sierra (6 points, 8 rebounds), Emily Dean (6 points, 5 boards, 3 assists), Sim Kaur (5 points, 2 rebounds), Chloe Kliegi (4 points, 4 boards, 3 assists, 4 steals) and Hammer (2 points, 3 rebounds).
