Entering the week with a 2-2 Sonoma County League record and two key games to play in trying to stay on the heels of the frontrunners in the SCL, the Sonoma Valley High School varsity basketball boys found themselves battling from behind throughout Wednesday night’s clash at Healdsburg.
Down 30-21 at the half, the Dragons rallied in the second half to outscore Healdsburg 25-16, capped with a buzzer-beating basket that forged a 46-46 tie after regulation play by all-league senior Cyle Caselli, who quickly fouled out in a first overtime period. The first overtime period produced just eight total points and a 50-50 stalemate.
Riding a seven-point scoring burst by senior Ryan Wilbanks, Sonoma bounded by the Greyhounds for a nail-biting 60-56 double overtime victory.
Leading the Dragons were Wilbanks’ 20 points and three rebounds; Caselli’s 16 points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists; senior Alex Gustafson’s 10 points and seven rebounds; senior Ryan Fisher’s nine points and seven rebounds; junior Edwin Reyes’ five points, four assists and two steals; and sophomore Colton Mertens’ two points. The Sonoma boy cagers host tough SCL foe Elsie Allen tonight in Pfeiffer Gym, with the freshmen starting at 4:30, the junior varsity playing at 6, and the varsity tipping off at 7:30 p.m.
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