Analy lands spot in SCL playoffs; Lions look to next year
Local high school girls basketball teams put the final touches on the Sonoma County League campaign, with Analy and El Molino playing out the string in a pair of games.
The Lady Tigers (13-13, 7-5) recorded an even split to stay playoff eligible, combining a 71-55 rout over visiting Piner with a 49-36 loss at Healdsburg. The result kept the Tigers in fourth place in the league standings.
At press time, #4 seeded Analy was preparing for a Feb. 13 visit to #1 seeded Petaluma, with the winner advancing to the SCL tourney title game this Friday, Feb. 16 at Santa Rosa Junior College (6 p.m.). Also hanging in the balance is a possible spot in the North Coast Section Division 3 playoffs, which starts next week.
Analy cranked up its potent offense in the Feb. 6 clash with Piner on Senior Night, opening up a 38-28 cushion at the half. The Prospectors had no answer for the Tiger shooters after intermission, as Analy cruised to a 71-55 win.
Before the game, Analy paid tribute to its graduating seniors in a pre-game ceremony, honoring veterans Claire Brown, Alexis Dibene, Lauren Murnin, Lauren Lehmann, Julie Ambrose and Danny Acosta.
Analy was locked in a tight contest two nights later in the league finale at Healdsburg, racing to a 24-17 halftime lead. Healdsburg turned up the defensive heat on a decisive 20-3 third quarter run and the Tigers never recovered as the Greyhounds powered to a 49-36 victory.
Isabel Housman and Dibene shared top scoring honors with eight points apiece. Also in the scoring column were Aleah Armstrong (4), Bre Lawrence (3), Lehmann (3), Ambrose (3), Murnin (3), Brown (2) and Sierra Atkins (2).
Lions notch win
The Lions (5-19, 2-10) also gained a split in their last two outings, beginning on Feb. 6 with a 44-30 loss to visiting Healdsburg. El Mo played the Greyhounds on nearly even terms to trail 17-15 at the half, but was throttled by a swarming defensive effort in the final two periods to fall by 14 points.
El Mo finished the season on a high note two nights later, easily defeating Elsie Allen, 56-37. Hailey Sheridan and Hailee Walker took top scoring honors with 13 points each.
“It was a great finish to a great year,” El Mo coach Keith Nordby said. “My six sophomores are really coming together and freshman Yasmin Sierra is really playing strong. I can’t wait until next year.”
