Analy and El Molino High School girls basketball teams are at the midway point of their North Bay League schedules this week, looking for a strong push to land a top four spot in their divisions.
Both teams are coming off an even split in two recent games, with El Molino bouncing back from a 49-45 Redwood Division loss to Rancho Cotate with a 58-13 drubbing over Elsie Allen, while Analy combined a 66-20 Oak Division rout over Santa Rosa with a 87-47 loss to Cardinal Newman.
At press time the Lions (4-2, 13-6) were preparing to host second place Maria Carrillo on Jan. 28, followed by a Thursday, Jan. 30, visit to Piner.
The Tigers (2-4, 14-7) were prepping for home and away games against Ukiah (Jan. 28) and Windsor (Jan. 30). Tip-off times for the JV and varsity are 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Lions gain split
El Molino gave league unbeaten Rancho Cotate all it could handle in a Jan. 21 home tilt, playing the Cougars on nearly even terms in three of four quarters. The exception was the second quarter, with Rancho erasing a 14-13 deficit with a 17-10 run for a six-point halftime lead. The Lions kept it close throughout the second half, but the Cougars hung on for an eventual 49-45 victory.
Pacing the El Mo offensive attack were Talia Husary (14 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 7 blocks), Ellie Roan (11 points, 13 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals), Alex Foszcz (7 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 steals), Angelina Gonnella (5 points, 5 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals), Claire Casey (4 points, 1 assist), Alisandra Tapia (2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal) and Hailey Walker (2 points, 5 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals).  Â
The Lions made short work of visiting Elsie Allen two nights later, racing to a 41-5 halftime cushion en route to a 58-13 rout. Top scorers were Roan (12 points, 12 boards, 3 assists, 6 steals), Husary (10 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assists, 3 steals), Alicia Saunders (7 points, 3 rebounds), Tapia (7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) and Casey (6 points, 2 boards, 3 assists, 6 steals).
Tigers maul PanthersÂ
It was a night when the Analy defense reigned supreme in a Jan. 21 home tilt with Santa Rosa, holding the Panthers to single digits in all four quarters. The Tigers busted open a 22-12 halftime lead with a 44-8 run in the final two periods to win going away, 66-20.
Freshman Maya Salas (12 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 steals) took top scoring honors for the Tigers, while other offensive standouts were Lucca Lowenberg (10 points, 2 boards, 1 assist, 7 steals), Andrea Ponce (10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist), Ellie Bengs (8 points, 9 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal), Maycee Hunter (7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals), Sophia Silveria (5 points, 4 rebounds), Krystal Anderton (4 points, 3 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals) and Chloe Fernandez (4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals).
The Tigers ran into a buzz saw in their Jan. 23 clash with unbeaten Cardinal Newman, spotting the Cardinals a 47-27 halftime lead en route to an 87-47 loss. Top scorers were Lowenberg (13 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists), Samantha Davis (12 points, 1 assist), Luna Planty (6 points, 4 boards, 1 assist) and Bailey Alberigi (4 points, 5 rebounds).
