Elite is the best word to describe the Analy Flying Tigers boys basketball program for the past decade under veteran coach Brett Page, a run that has included Sonoma County League titles and one North Coast Section championship.
Through the years the tradition of winning hoops has endured and the program shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. The Tigers are coming off yet another SCL title and trip to the NCS playoffs, finishing last season with an overall record of 20-9.
Analy returns a strong core of nine senior veterans from that squad, a scary proposition for opposing teams this season.
“I think we’ll have a good team and with nine seniors, that usually means good stability,” Page predicted. “The SCL should be improved all around and it will be a competitive league. I know that on any given night we can get beat, but I also think we’ll be one of the top teams.”
The Tigers’ list of returnees starts with all-league senior center Jordan Armstrong, last year’s SCL Defensive Player of the Year and one of the top big men in the North Bay. Senior all-league guards Dominic Tripodi and Aiden Toner-Rodgers will share the bulk of the scoring load and may be MVP candidates.
Other returning senior veterans are guard Joe Chanin-Meiers, power forward Grant Schwall, guards Jack Newman and Spencer Vogel and forward Erick Bendyk. Newman, Vogel and Bendyk will join the team late following football season. Other seniors include Shaviv Hoffman-Lowitz and Connor Waldo.
“That is a great bunch of seniors,” Page noted. “Their varsity experience really helps and makes a difference, especially in the close games.”
Rounding out the varsity roster are junior forward Zach Binsfeld, an emerging star, and key veterans Luke Bertling, Quinn Vermeulen, Kevin Eling and DJ Tabor.
Scheduling notes
The Flying Tigers will open the preseason with a home clash against Ukiah on Saturday, Nov. 26 (7 p.m.) and visit Santa Rosa on Tuesday, Nov. 29 (7:30 p.m.). Analy will compete in the Red Brown Classic Tournament at Drake on Dec. 8-10, the Brett Callan tourney at Casa Grande on Dec. 15-17 and the Windsor Holiday Shootout on Dec. 28-30. The Tigers open the league campaign at Elsie Allen on Jan. 3.
Next week: a look at the El Molino Lions.
