Analy Tigers host Santa Rosa on Friday; El Mo Lions visit Rancho Cotate
Continue to work hard, and the rewards will come.
That’s been the mantra for the Lions and Flying Tigers in what has been a challenging basketball season following league realignment, with victories proving to be a rare commodity in the North Bay League Oak and Redwood divisions.
All was forgiven last week, as both varsity teams recorded satisfying NBL wins, with the Lions slipping past Rancho Cotate, while the Tigers defeated Windsor.
“It was one of the best games we’ve been involved in all year,” El Mo coach Collin Walker said after knocking the Cougars out of first place in a 57-54 upset.
“To be able to knock off one of the best teams in our league was huge, and I’m extremely proud of our guys.”
Pacing the El Mo scoring attack against Rancho were Thomas Siegert (15 points), Chris Romeo (10), Pat Atkinson (8), Sam Wilson-Mietz (7) and Logan Woolsey (7).
The excitement was short-lived as the Lions dropped subsequent home and road games to Maria Carrillo (70-37) and Ukiah (66-39).
El Mo (1-7, 8-13) will finish up NBL play on the road this week with games at Healdsburg (Jan. 30) and Rancho Cotate (Feb. 1). The varsity tips off at 7:30 p.m.
Tigers claw Jaguars
Victory was equally sweet on Friday for the Tigers, recording a well-played 56-49 win over Windsor, giving the team a much-needed shot in the arm.
“My guys worked very hard in practice and competed together the whole game,” Analy coach Jason Carpenter said.
“They followed the game plan perfectly and led from the tip to the buzzer. It was a great effort, and I couldn’t be more proud of my team,” he added.
JJ Fain led the Tigers’ offensive attack with 17 points. Other top scorers included Quinn Vermeulen (12) and Avi Gitlin (8).
The win came on the heels of a disappointing 71-40 blowout loss at Piner two nights earlier, possibly the low point of the Tigers’ season.
“We played our worst game of the year against Piner,” Carpenter noted. “But instead of packing it in and cruising in the final week and a half (of the season), my team put it behind them, focused on the next game and worked very hard in practice.”
The Tigers will close out the NBL schedule at home against Montgomery (Jan. 30) and Santa Rosa (Feb. 1, Senior Night). Both games start at 7:30 p.m.
