On the heels of a tough Sonoma County League loss that saddled them with a 3-3 record after the first-half of the 12-game SCL schedule, the Sonoma Valley High School varsity basketball boys were determined to bounce back with a strong effort, though it would have to come on the road against the defending champion.
Facing the daunting challenge of beating a team for the first time in half-a-decade, the upbeat Dragons didn’t waste time putting their game in a high-intensity mode to take an early lead and hold a six-point halftime advantage over longtime SCL rival Analy Wednesday night in Sebastopol.
After a number of out-of-sync second-half starts leading to losses, Sonoma stepped up in the third quarter this time behind a stout defense centered around the post-play of senior Cyle Caselli that stalled the SCL juggernaut Tigers, while adding a point to take a seven-point lead into the fourth quarter.
The Dragons maintained their momentum edge and tempo control down the stretch and upset Analy 54-47 for the long-awaited, and thoroughly satisfying triumph.
“We had a highly competitive practice leading up to the game and our plan was to play tough defense, keep the big kid off the boards, which Cyle (Caselli) did a great job doing, and make shots,” said Sonoma head coach Dennis Housman. “Our keys were defense, getting an early lead and holding it for a very good win.”
Leading Sonoma were Caselli’s 15 points, five rebounds, four blocked shots and two steals; senior Alex Gustafson’s 11 points and three rebounds; senior Ryan Wilbanks’ 10 points, seven rebounds and three steals; senior Tristan Mertens’ five points and three rebounds; junior Max Yankovich’s four points and nine rebounds; junior Edwin Reyes’ four points and three rebounds; and senior Ryan Fisher’s four points.
The Dragons host league foe El Molino tonight and longtime SCL rival Petaluma Monday, Feb. 2, 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. both nights.
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