Analy retools in final season before realignment
Success and the Analy Flying Tigers have been constant companions for the last decade under veteran coach Brett Page, a run that has produced numerous league pennants, one North Coast Section title and yearly trips to the playoffs.
Analy is coming off one of the best seasons in the program’s history, posting a 25-7 overall record last year, including an unbeaten league campaign and a spot in the California Interscholastic Federation’s Nor Cal state playoffs. The Tigers look to add more of the same this season, as they enter the final year before league realignment takes effect next fall. That’s when a new 12-school league will be formed and split into two separate 6-school divisions that will divide on a sport-by-sport basis according to team strength and track record.
Page is back to lead a young squad long on talent but relatively inexperienced, eager to make their mark at the varsity level.
“We’re always excited about a new season but this year will be slightly different in that we don’t have a returning player with much court experience,” Page said. “However, we do have the same expectations that we always have and expect to be in the hunt for the SCL title. Each year we have a new group of athletes and lay out the same expectations of hard work and building winning habits and let the championships fall where they may.”
Returning for their senior seasons are forward Zach Binsfeld and Luke Bertling, with junior guard Quinn Vermuelen manning half of the backcourt.
“These guys will be called upon to lead the way,” Page noted. “After that we’re young and without (varsity) experience.”
Bolstering the Tigers 2017-18 roster are senior Sebastian Bully, juniors JJ Fain, Brenden Martinez, Tristen Peterson, William St. Martin and Avi Frey, and sophomores Kevin Wagner and Antonio Sanchez.
The Tigers will play a typically tough pre-league schedule, one that has the team playing all but two games on the road until January. The familiar up-tempo Analy style of play will be a trademark of this year’s squad as well.
“We will continue to try to fast-break, shoot the three-ball and play man to man, Page said. “We do lack experience but this team has impressed many with its unselfish play and willingness to give more and sacrifice for the good of the team.”
The Flying Tigers figure to be in the middle of a dog fight to repeat as SCL champs, with Healdsburg, Piner and Petaluma with designs on the league pennant. In addition, El Molino, Elsie Allen and Sonoma Valley have all improved.
“The competition in the SCL is much better and it (a title repeat) will be a difficult task with the balance in our league,” Page noted. “More than any other year, if you’re caught napping you’ll come away with a loss.”
The Tigers will kick off the 2017-18 campaign at home on Tuesday, Nov. 21 in the annual Foundation Game against Cardinal Newman (7:30 p.m.), followed by a road trip to Ukiah on Nov. 25 (6 p.m.). Analy will play in the Red Brown Classic at Drake on Dec. 7-9 and compete in the Brett Callan Tournament on Dec. 14-16. The Tigers open the SCL schedule on Jan. 4 at El Molino.
Next week: a look at the El Molino Lions.
