Girls basketball season in full tilt
It didn’t take long for the cream to rise to the top of the Sonoma County League heap, as the Lady Tigers laid claim to SCL supremacy with huge wins over Sonoma Valley (36-30) and Petaluma (56-35).
Both victories came in the opening week of league play and were major steps in the quest for a coveted SCL pennant.
“It will be a very tough two weeks, facing the big three in Sonoma, Petaluma, and Healdsburg,” Analy coach Earl Pasamonte predicted. “I figure if we can get out of the first four games above .500 we’ve put ourselves in a position to be competitive the rest of the way out.”
The Tigers have done exactly that, already dispatching two of the top projected teams, including defending champion Sonoma Valley. Analy (7-9, 2-0) will continue league action at Piner on Jan. 13 (after press time), followed by a home date with Healdsburg on Friday, Jan. 13. Tip-off times for the JV and varsity are 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Tigers notch wins
Analy was battle tested and ready when they took the court against visiting Sonoma Valley on Jan. 8, overcoming a 27-19 third-quarter deficit with a knockout blow in the final period. Trailing the entire game, the Tigers turned up the defensive heat in the last eight minutes, finishing the game on a 17-3 run to claim a 36-30 victory. Sarah Brown led the attack with 15 points, while Sophie McFadin chipped in seven for Analy.
“I figured that there was a chance that Sonoma would come into the game a little overconfident and maybe a little unprepared to face our intensity,” Pasamonte noted. “I preached it hard to the girls all week and they responded.”
Analy traveled to Petaluma on Jan. 11 for another big test, and responded with arguably their best effort of the season. The Tigers took charge from the opening tip, racing to an 18-12 lead after one and a 29-19 cushion at the break. Analy kept its foot on the throttle after intermission, holding the Trojans to just five points in the third quarter en route to a convincing, 56-35 win.
Bailey Hunter paced the offense with 12 points, while McFadin added 11.
Lady Lions battling on league court
Meanwhile, the El Molino Lady Lions have taken their lumps in the first week of the SCL schedule, opening league with successive losses to Petaluma (54-18), Piner (58-41), and Sonoma Valley (43-11).
The Jan. 6 opener against Petaluma was an uphill battle, spotting the visitors a 35-8 halftime lead. Despite a 10-point, five-rebound effort from senior Emily Dean, the Trojans powered to an eventual 54-18 win. Other point-scorers for El Mo were Bergan Hartmann (3 points), Chloe Kliegi (3 points), and Sim Kaur (2 points, 4 rebounds).
The Lions turned in a better performance two nights later against visiting Piner, battling back from a 34-12 halftime deficit to fall 58-41. Top scorers were Madison Dean (10 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals), Leslie Sierra (8 points, 6 rebounds), Emily Dean (7 points, 3 steals), Kaur (5 points, 5 rebounds), Kristine Daniels (4 points, 4 rebounds), Grace Anderson (3 points), Gabby Bushgen (2 points, 4 assists), and Kliegi (2 points, 2 rebounds).
The Lions wrapped up a tough stretch with a Jan. 11 trip to Sonoma Valley, managing just two points in the first half on their way to 43-11 loss. Bushgen led the way with four points.
El Molino (2-15, 0-3) will resume league action at Healdsburg on Jan. 13, followed by a Friday, Jan. 15 home date with Elsie Allen (6/7:30 p.m.).
