Wins have been elusive for both of El Molino’s varsity teams in the first month of Sonoma County League basketball, as the Lions continue to battle on the league hard-court each night.
That trend continued last week for the boys in a pair of SCL losses to Elsie Allen (67-43) and Sonoma Valley (52-50, OT), frustrating setbacks to be sure but fueling El Mo fans with renewed hope.
The Lions (4-15, 0-5) will be in hot pursuit of their first league ‘W’ this week when they resume play against Analy on Jan. 19 (after press time), followed by a Thursday, Jan. 27, date with visiting Petaluma (4:30/6/7:30 p.m.).
El Molino played some of its best ball of the season in the Jan. 14, meeting with visiting Sonoma Valley, stunning the Dragons with a 17-9 run out of the gate. Leading 28-14 at the half, Sonoma staged a furious third-quarter comeback to cut the deficit to 38-34, setting up a tense final period ending with the contest knotted at 44-apiece. Sonoma’s Colton Mertens got hot to score all eight of his team’s points in overtime, as the Dragons outlasted the Lions 52-50.
Kahleo Daly paced the El Mo offense with a season-high 18 points (3 threes), while other top scorers included Ryan Fernandez (15 points) and Jordan Kerkvliet (12 points).
The Lions JV squad also pulled extra duty, falling to Sonoma Valley 33-30 in triple overtime.
In one other game last week, El Molino played host to Elsie Allen on Jan. 12. The Lobos busted open a tight game with a strong second quarter for a 32-21 lead, and held off the Lions after intermission on their way to a 67-43 win. Kerkvliet led the attack with 14 points.
Ladies battle league foes
The Lady Lions (3-17, 1-4) began last week with losses to Sonoma Valley (43-11) and Healdsburg (46-25), but earned their first SCL victory on Jan. 15, in a 54-26 romp over Elsie Allen.
The Lions started the stretch on a down note on Jan. 11, at Sonoma Valley, managing just two points in the first half on their way to 43-11 loss. Top point-getters were Gabby Bushgen (4 points), Chloe Kliegi (3 points), Sim Kaur (2 points) and Kristine Daniels (2 points).
The girls traveled to Healdsburg for a second season meeting on Jan. 13, with the game following a familiar script. The Greyhounds doubled up the Lions with a 16-8 run out of the gate, and gained separation with a 15-1 surge in the second quarter. The Hounds led by 24 after three quarters on their way to a 46-25 win.
Top scorers were Emily Dean (5 points, 4 rebounds), Leslie Sierra (5 points, 8 rebounds), Kristine Daniels (4 points, 6 boards, 2 steals), Bushgen (3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals), Madison Dean (2 points, 2 steals), Kaur (2 points, 7 boards, 2 steals) and Kliegi (1 point, 2 rebounds, 2 assists).
El Mo entertained an over-matched visiting Elsie Allen squad on Jan. 15, powering to a 31-12 cushion at the half. The Lions emptied their bench after the break in cruising to a 54-26 win.
Offensive leaders included Daniels (12 points, 3 boards, 6 steals), Bushgen (8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals), Kliegi (7 points, 3 rebounds, 7 steals), Madison Dean (7 points, 2 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals), Sierra (6 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals), Kaur (6 points, 4 rebounds), Bergan Hartmann (4 points, 3 rebounds), Emily Dean (2 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists), Emma Cilley (2 points, 4 rebounds) and Grace Anderson (2 rebounds, 1 steal).
El Mo will visit Analy this Friday, Jan. 22, and travel to Petaluma on Tuesday, Jan. 26 (4:30/6/7:30 p.m.).
