Tigers end championship season with 25-7 record
The Analy Flying Tigers’ four-month championship odyssey came to an end in the opening round of the CIF Nor Cal State Division 3 Playoff Tournament on March 8 in Auburn, falling to the Placer Hillmen, 75-52.
The loss gave the Tigers a final season record of 25-7.
The Nor Cal playoff game was a just reward for a tremendous run, a season that featured a Sonoma County League repeat with a perfect 12-0 record, followed by an SCL Tournament championship, a 16-game winning streak and a pair of NCS playoff wins.
“It was a disappointing way to end our season but easy to recover from knowing what we did to get to that point,” Analy coach Brett Page said. “We had quality kids with good character who worked hard and are champions, that’s how I see the season and will remember the Tigers of 2016-17.”
Strong playoff run
Analy landed the #3 seed in the North Coast Section Division 3 playoffs, defeating Alhambra (64-34) and Miramonte (54-43) before falling to #2 Campolindo (68-53) in the semifinals.
The Tigers were breathing rarified air as the #9 seed in the Nor Cal tourney, drawing a first-round match-up at #8 Placer in Auburn on Wednesday. The game would be an uphill battle from the first tip, as Analy trailed 13-9 after one. The Hillmen busted it open with a decisive 25-14 second-quarter run to extend the advantage to 38-23 at the half.
The Tigers stayed within striking distance to trail 53-39 after three but Placer put the hammer down in the final period to notch a 75-52 win.
“They were very physical and aggressive which made it difficult for us to use our athleticism and basketball skill,” Page noted. “It was a tough game and closer than the final score would indicate.”
Senior guard Dom Tripodi put the icing on a sensation high school career with a team-high 24 points, while senior center Jordan Armstrong chipped in 17 points and the majority of the rebounds.
All-League honor
The Tigers garnered their share of accolades in all-league voting by coaches this month, as senior guards Dominic Tripodi and Aidan Toner-Rodgers were named Sonoma County League Co-Most Valuable Players.
Joining them on the SCL first team were senior guard Spencer Vogel (Defensive Player of the Year) and senior center Jordan Armstrong. Senior guard Jack Newman was named to the second team, while senior guard Joe Chanin-Meiers was an Honorable Mention selection.
