Sonoma’s girl hoopers surround SCL rivals

Trying to get the team back to full strength after a rash of injuries, the defending Sonoma County League champion Sonoma Valley High School varsity basketball girls bounced back from a heartbreaking SCL road loss to Analy with back-to-back one-sided home victories at Pfeiffer Gym.

On Monday night the Lady Dragons plastered SCL foe El Molino 43-11, then on Wednesday they pounded longtime league rival Petaluma 42-33. The final score didn’t reflect their dominating play, anchored by senior center Renee O’Donnell’s double-double.

In the rout of El Molino, the Sonoma cagers were led by junior Grace Cutting’s 13 points and seven rebounds; senior Jenny Eggers 12 points, six rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot; O’Donnell’s nine points, 11 rebounds and two blocks; Rocky Darnell’s five points and three rebounds; senior Annie Greenslade’s three points and three rebounds; junior Katie Stovall’s one point and seven rebounds; sophomore Amy Stanfield’s six rebounds and four assists; and junior Kayla Field’s four rebounds and two assists.

The Lady Dragons were led past the Petaluma Trojans by O’Donnell’s 13 points and 12 rebounds; Field’s nine points, eight rebounds and three steals; Eggers’ eight points and seven rebounds; Cutting’s eight points, six rebounds and one block; Stanfield’s three points and three rebounds; and senior Heidi Landeros’ one point in her first game back after sustaining an injury.

“This was another rivalry game determined by defense. We had difficulty scoring but held Petaluma to 13 points in the first half,” said Sonoma head coach Sil Coccia. “We survived a rough third quarter to come back and score 17 in the fourth to put them away.

“The girls did a great job on the boards at both ends which created a lot of fouls, and they made enough big plays and converted important shots at crunch time to keep Petaluma from ever having a lead in this game.”

The Lady Dragons have an SCL bye tonight and resume league play on Wednesday, Jan. 20, when they travel to Santa Rosa to face Piner. They’ll return home to host longtime rival Healdsburg on Saturday night, Jan. 23, in Pfeiffer Gym.