Oliver Aandahl scored 29 points in American Canyon's win over Sonoma Valley | Sumner Fowler |
Another hectic night occured in the Vine Valley Athletic League. Two of the three games were within five points or less, and one ended right at the final buzzer. Read about it below.
American Canyon 72 Sonoma Valley 62
American Canyon built up a 13 point lead at the end of three periods, and made it stick in a 10-point win over Sonoma Valley Wednesday night. Neither of the two teams are in league title contention, but Sonoma Valley is still playing for NCS Seedings in the Division 3 Bracket.
A back and forth start led by Oliver Aandahl, who hit the first of four three’s on the night for American Canyon. Dom Girish led Sonoma Valley early on, but the Dragons struggled to shoot from the three point line.
At the half, American Canyon had built a 36-28 lead. A quick 7-0 run by Sonoma to start the third quarter brought it back to 36-35. Aandahl would knock home a three, and Girish would hit a mid range jumper to bring it back to a two point Wolves lead. From then on, American Canyon would go on an 11-0 run, led by Aandahl, and Khai Curry. The Wolves tenacious and lightning fast defense created a plethora of Sonoma Valley turnovers which turned into easy baskets.
The Dragons scored 62 points, but only made two shots from beyond the arc. One from Girish, and the other from Anders Mathison.
Aandahl finished with a game high 29 points for American Canyon, while Girish scored 16 for Sonoma Valley.
American Canyon hosts VVAL champion Vintage Friday, while Sonoma travels to Casa Grande.
Petaluma 49 Napa 48
Napa’s tough season came to a crushing end on Wednesday night. The Grizzlies, who were the defeinding VVAL champions, held a 48-46 lead with just four seconds remaining. A missed free throw by Spencer Gorman of Napa, gave Petaluma just enough time to get it to Liam Gottschall, who banked home a 30 footer for the win.
A low scoring, sloppy first half by both sides brought it to a 20-14 Petaluma lead. The scoring picked up, as did the intensity as Petaluma held a 34-30 lead after four.
Brayden Greenlee tried to put Napa on his back by giving them a 47-46 lead with under 30 seconds to play. A turnover by Petaluma lead them to foul Gorman, who made his first free throw of the one and one opportunity.
Petaluma will host Justin Siena on Friday night. The Trojans are tinkering on the brink of an NCS berth. They’re looking for an NCS berth for the first time since 2016-2017, when head coach Scott Behrs took them to the NCS playoffs for the second consecutive year after they had not made it since 1992.
Napa’s season comes to a close, finishing a disappointing 7-19, and 3-9 in league play.
Casa Grande 62 Justin Siena 57
The Gauchos grabbed their third league win of the year by taking down the Braves at the Ed Iacopi Gymnasium on Wednesday night.
Casa Grande held a lead from midway through the second quarter, all the way nearing the final minutes until Liam McDevitt tied the game at 47, but Sonny Gigliotti would continue a hot shooting night by knocking down a three to put the Gauchos in the lead for good.
Gigliotti scored 30 points for Casa Grande, and nailed down the victory by sinking four consectuve free throws late in the game.
Ryan McGuinn added 12 points for Casa Grande, with Jonah Siebels and Tai Grant dropping in six apiece.
McDevitt had 20 points for Justin Siena.
Casa Grande hosts Sonoma Valley on Friday, while Justin Siena travels to Petaluma.
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