Preseason hoops kicked into high gear on the high school tournament circuit last weekend, as Analy and El Molino boys teams continued to improve in a flurry of games.
The Tigers (1-5) weathered a busy, four-game week that began with a humbling 60-35 loss at San Marin on Dec. 5, and finished up with one win in three outings at the annual Red Brown Classic Tournament at Sir Francis Drake in San Anselmo.
“We had a tough week, with four games in five days,” Analy coach Brett Page reported. “We only won a single game but I feel like we’re making improvement. We have been without (injured) Zach Binsfeld and at least one other player each game, so it will get better.”
The Tigers will resume pre-league action at Santa Rosa on Dec. 12 (7:30 p.m.), followed by participation in the Brett Callan Tournament at Casa Grande on Dec. 14-16.
Meanwhile the Lions (3-5) showed flashes of great things to come with participation in the 69th annual Redwood Empire Invitational Basketball Tournament in Healdsburg on Dec. 6-9, also winning one of three games. The Lions began the week with a well-played 47-42 win over visiting Fort Bragg.
El Mo will hit the road for three straight games this week, with dates at Roseland University Prep (Dec. 11), Middletown (Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m.) and at St. Helena (Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m.).
Tigers battle pre-league foes
The Tigers were victimized by a talented San Marin squad in their visit to Novato, as the Mustangs raced to a 37-23 lead at the break en route to a 60-35 rout. Quinn Vermuelen led the offense with 10 points.
The Tigers had a tough draw in the Red Brown opener on Dec. 7, battling the Highlanders in a shootout before falling 70-59. Nic Visser paced the attack with 16 points.
Analy took on Terra Linda in game two on Friday, with the Tigers notching a dominant, 65-44 win. JJ Fain led the way with 19 points, while Visser (16) and Vermuelen (14) also played well.
The Tigers squared off with Lincoln of San Francisco in Saturday’s tourney finale, falling 56-46. Fain poured in a team-high 19 points. Other top scorers were Vermuelen (9), Visser (6), Avi Frey (4), Brenden Medina (3) and Luke Bertling (2).
Lions win a pair
It was a good week for the Lions on the preseason hard court logging two wins in four outings.
El Mo began the stretch on Dec. 5 against visiting Fort Bragg, with Ricky Valedez leading the way with 11 points, while Shane Spelman (10), Thomas Siegert (8) also played well for the Lions.
El Molino was in tough against a strong Justin Siena squad in the REIBT opener on Dec. 6, falling behind early in an eventual, 63-33 Braves win. Valedez was the high scorer with six points.
The Lions were back on the court on Friday in game two of the tourney, falling to Middletown 54-40. Sam Wilson-Mietz led the team with 10 points.
El Molino finished up REIBT play in winning fashion on Saturday, handing Willits a 73-27 drubbing. Top scorers included Lewis (12), Mac Osman (11), Chase Nicholls (8), Cassius Phillips (5), Zach Hunt (4), Wyatt Stringfellow (5), Andy Junge (5), Logan Woolsey (4) and Wilson-Mietz (2).
Hunt earned all-tournament honors for the Lions.
