#3 Analy to visit #2 Campolindo in Division 2 semifinals on Mar. 1
The Analy Flying Tigers are alive and well in the North Coast Section basketball playoffs, navigating the Division 2 tournament bracket with wins over Alhambra and Miramonte to reach the semifinals.
At press time the third seeded Tigers (25-5) were in preparation for a titanic clash at #2 seeded Campolindo in Moraga on Wednesday, Mar. 1 (7 p.m.), with the winner to face the survivor of #1 Salesian College Prepatory-#4 San Marin in the NCS title game on Saturday, Mar. 4 (location and time TBD).
“We’ve been playing well and our defense has really stepped up,” Analy coach Brett Page said, citing standout efforts from guard Spencer Vogel and center Jordan Armstrong. “Campolindo has another great program and will be a big test for us. We feel fortunate that we’re still playing and have an opportunity to play against the power programs.”
Also very much in play for the Tigers is a guaranteed trip to the CIF State Nor Cal Tournament, reserved for the top four teams from each section. Nor Cal seeding will take place on Mar. 5 and games will begin on Tuesday, Mar. 7.
Tigers on a roll
There was no let-up for the Tigers following a perfect Sonoma County League season, opening the NCS playoffs at home on Feb. 21 against 14th seeded Alhambra. It was all Analy from the opening tip, racing to an 18-3 first-quarter lead before opening up a 37-9 halftime cushion. The Tigers emptied their bench after intermission en route to a 64-34 rout.
Top contributors for Analy included Aidan Toner-Rodgers (16 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks), Dom Tripodi (14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals), Jordan Armstrong (14 points, 18 boards, 8 blocks, 1 steal), Zach Binsfeld (8 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks), Jack Newman (7 points, 5 boards, 3 assists), Joe Chanin-Meiers (3 points, 1 rebound) and Quinn Vermuelen (2 points, 1 assist).
The win set up a Feb. 24 quarterfinal clash with visiting #6 seeded Miramonte, a perennial playoff nemesis that had beaten the Tigers five times since they defeated the Matadors in the 2009 NCS title game.
This contest did not start well, as Miramonte star Charlie Hocking scored 10 points to lead the Matadors to a 17-5 advantage at the end of one.
“We told the guys not to panic and to follow the plan and to play together as a team,” Page noted. “Zach Binsfeld was the first sub in the second quarter and really changed the game. He was active and very physical and stopped Hocking’s dominance.”
Led by Toner-Rodgers and Tripodi (18 points), the Tigers got it rolling in the decisive second quarter, swamping the Matadors on a 26-3 run to give Analy a 31-20 halftime lead. The Tigers matched the visitors shot for shot in the final two quarters, leading 44-31 after three on their way to a 53-43 win.
“We did a great job of handling their pressure and making shots when we needed to,” Page said. “They’re a talented team and very physical, so it was a great win for us.”
Tripodi turned in one of his best season efforts with 27 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals. Other good performances included Toner-Rodgers (20 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals), Newman (5 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals), Vogel (2 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist) and Armstrong (8 boards, 6 blocks).
