Lions scrap through some tough battles
The varsity basketball Lions had only pride to show for a couple of strong efforts in the first full week of Sonoma County League action, falling to Piner (50-44) and Healdsburg (46-37).
The setbacks pushed El Mo’s record to 4-12 on the season and 0-3 in league play.
This week the Lions have scheduled games at Elsie Allen (Jan. 12, after press time) and home against Sonoma Valley on Thursday, Jan. 14. El Mo will host Analy next Tuesday, Jan. 19. Game times starting with the frosh are 4:30/6/7:30 p.m.
Lions battle
El Molino logged one of its best season efforts at Piner on Jan. 7, erasing a big early deficit with a huge second-half rally. The Lions led 10-9 after one quarter but were swamped, 19-5 in the second to spot the Prospectors a 28-15 lead at the break. El Mo began to whittle away at the deficit in the third quarter, and surged into the lead late in the fourth.
The Lions took a 44-41 lead with three minutes remaining, but Piner would finish the game on a 9-0 run en route to a 50-44 win.
Leading scorers for El Molino included Jordan Kerkvliet (16), Eric Nils-Carlson (13), Kahleo Daly (9), Ryan Fernandez (3), Austin Sani (2) and Jake Peter (1).
El Molino played host to Healdsburg for the second time in two weeks on Jan. 9, looking to avenge an 11-point loss in the first meeting. The game started well enough for Healdsburg, racing to a 17-10 lead after one before settling for a 26-19 edge at the half.
The game turned defensive after intermission, as both teams managed just six points in the third quarter. The Lions battled gamely in a tight fourth quarter but Healdsburg hung on for a 46-37 win.
Kerkvliet led the attack with 13 points, while Nils-Carlson chipped in 10 for the Lions.
