It’s been a challenging start for Analy and El Molino on the North Bay League varsity basketball circuit, as both struggle to compete in their respective divisions.
The Flying Tigers have found the sledding tough in the early stages of the competitive NBL Oak Division, opening with league losses to Windsor (52-32) and Montgomery (50-40). The Tigers tossed in a 59-38 non-league loss to Healdsburg in their most recent outing on Saturday.
At press time, Analy (0-2, 4-15) was preparing for a Jan. 14 non-league clash with visiting El Molino. The Tigers will begin a three-game NBL road swing, starting with a Jan. 16 visit to Santa Rosa. The Tigers will travel to Cardinal Newman on Jan. 18 and invade Piner on Wednesday, Jan. 23. Varsity tips off at 7:30 p.m.
“We’ve struggled all season to score consistently,” Analy coach Jason Carpenter said, following Saturday’s loss to the Greyhounds. “We’re looking to bounce back with a good performance against El Molino.”
The Tigers traveled to Windsor on Jan. 8, as the Jaguars set the tone with a great first half in holding the Tigers to just nine points. Trailing 33-9 at the break, Analy fought an uphill battle in the final two quarters as Windsor cruised to a 52-32 victory.
The Tigers played inspired basketball in the Jan. 10 visit to Montgomery, playing the Vikings on nearly even terms in the opening half. Montgomery pulled away down the stretch to post a 50-40 win. Leading the Analy scoring attack were Quinn Vermuelen (14 points), JJ Fain (14) and Brenden Martinez (11).
The Tigers wrapped up a busy week in Saturday’s clash with visiting Healdsburg, as the Greyhounds used their inside strength to notch a 59-38 victory. Leading scorers included Avi Gitlin (12), Fain (9) and Vermuelen (8).
Lions fall to league foes
El Molino (0-4, 7-9) has also hit a bump in the road in the NBL Redwood Division, dropping recent home games to Ukiah (49-36) and Healdsburg (69-28).
The Jan. 8 meeting with the Wildcats featured a slow start to trail 29-10 at the half. The Lions mounted a steady second-half comeback but would come up short in the eventual 13-point loss. Top scorers for El Mo included Thomas Siegert (10), Abel Perez (6), Logan Woolsey (6) and MacGarett Osman (5).
The Lions entertained a strong Healdsburg squad two nights later, with the Hounds busting it wide open with a 29-5 third-quarter run en route to a 41-point margin of victory. Leading scorers were Sam Wilson-Mietz (6 points), Perez (4), Chris Romeo (4), Wyatt Stringfellow (4) and Woolsey (4).
“We had a lot of confidence coming out of halftime, being down only 30-20,” El Mo coach Collin Walker reported. “Then Healdsburg woke up and had one of the most impressive quarters you will ever see.”
The Lions will be back on the league court on Jan. 16 against visiting Rancho Cotate, followed by a home clash with Elsie Allen on Friday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
