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Sonoma boys trumped by Trojans in SCL foul-fest

Dragons at El Mo Wednesday; JVs, frosh

It was the second tough Sonoma County League road game in a row last week and the Sonoma Valley High School’s varsity basketball boys hoped to earn a split by snaring a Friday evening win at Petaluma.

Unfortunately, with the young Dragons again lacking the early game desire and intensity that led to Monday’s loss at Healdsburg, they found themselves stumbling out of the gate and, saddled with a double-digit deficit, were constantly chasing Petaluma in a foul-filled game that had 39 fouls called – 27 of them in the second half.

Though Sonoma’s 9-3 run, starting the third quarter, whittled the deficit to eight points and on the verge of just two possessions back, it was stung with questionable foul calls – leading to senior standout Vince Bruton fouling out early in the fourth period – which enabled the Trojans to use the charity stripe in wrapping up a 61-44 win.

Pacing the Dragons were Bruton’s 11 points, four rebounds, three steals and a blocked shot; sophomore Alex Gustafson’s nine points and three rebounds; junior Jesse Summers’ seven points and four rebounds; junior Vincent Albano’s six points, seven rebounds and three assists; sophomore Ryan Wilbanks’ five points; sophomore Tristan Mertens’ four points, three rebounds and two assists; and sophomore Cyle Gusse’s two points, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

The Dragon boys travel to Forestville tomorrow evening, Wednesday, Jan. 23, to play league foe El Molino, before returning home to host SCL first-place power Analy at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, Jan. 26, in Pfeiffer Gym.

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Sonoma’s junior varsity boy cagers dropped a 60-42 decision to Petaluma, paced by Spencer McNairy’s 23 points, four rebounds and three assists; and Kevin Hurtado’s three points, 10 rebounds and three assists.

The Sonoma freshman boys’ hoops team split a pair of games, falling to Petaluma 52-42 on Friday, before bouncing back to soundly defeat Cardinal Newman 50-37 on Saturday.

Leading the frosh Dragons past Newman were Edwin Reyes’ 28 points and Travis Claeys’ eight rebounds, and pacing them against Petaluma were Daniel Van Kirk’s 14 points and Reyes’ 12.