There are times when life transcends sports and the obstacles young athletes face are far more important than the outcome of a basketball game.
That was certainly the case for the Analy Lady Tigers in an emotionally driven year, which began with the passing of their late coach Tom Corriveau in June, who carried them through the 2015/16 season.
The Tigers rallied together in a way nobody could have expected, capturing the Sonoma County League co-championship in February with a 12-1 record before landing a spot in the North Coast Section Division-3 playoffs.
Last week the long journey came to an end in the opening round of the NCS tournament, as the number 13 Tigers fell just short of an upset in a 46-44 loss at fifth seeded San Marin.
Analy finished the season with an overall record of 17-12.
When it was over, head coach Earl Pasamonte reflected on a remarkable season on social media.
“This season 15 girls taught me something that no other season has,” he said. “These girls showed me that hard work really does pay off, and life puts events in front of you that shape the way you look at adversity. To the Lady Tigers of 2015/16, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, you taught me much more about life than I ever taught you about the game.”
Tigers fall to Mustangs
Analy overcame a slow start in the NCS opener at San Marin on Feb. 23, bouncing back from a 12-4 first-quarter hole to trail 23-16 at the half. The Tigers used a great defensive effort to fuel a third-quarter rally that pulled them within three at 32-29 at the end of three.
The game would come down to the wire with Analy trailing by a basket on the final possession, but a potential game-tying lay-up rimmed out as the Mustangs hung on for a 46-44 win.
Bailey Hunter had one of her best outings of the season with a team-high 13 points and five rebounds. Also turning in strong efforts were Saja Spearman-Weaver (12 points) and Alexis Dibene (6 points, 6 assists, 8 steals).
