SEBASTOPOL, CA - Analy-Sebastopol kept things tight with Petaluma all the way to the end on Tuesday night until falling 44-42, when a late three point shot attempt by Luke Bertling fell short.
Petaluma (10-8, 4-1) led 44-40 after a pair of free throws from Jack Anderson, but Quinn Vermulen got inside for a layup to make it 44-42. After the front end of a one and one was missed by Anderson, Bertling’s shot fell short.
“Analy is gonna sneak up on some teams this year. They’re always well coached.” said Petaluma coach Scott Behrs.
Petaluma scored the first four points of the game behind Anderson and Justin Wolbert, just back after a week off with a knee injury. They would be the two leading scorers for Petaluma. Analy (5-14, 2-3) would go on a 9-0 run behind Avi Frey and JJ Fain, causing Petaluma to burn a timeout. Brendan O’Neill hit from the outside for Petaluma. Wolbert hit a pair of free throws for Petaluma, but they trailed 11-9 at the end of one.
Petaluma began to run a balanced offense, hitting both from the outside and inside against a zone Analy defense. Wolbert and Robbie Isetta hit a pair of three’s for Petaluma, but Nic Visser came in and he hit a pair of shots.
“(Justin) Wolbert is one of our most consistent players. We know what we’re getting from him every night.” said Behrs
Whitaker Ellis at the end of the period for Petaluma drove right down the land and finished to give Petaluma a 21-20 halftime lead.
Petaluma built a 10 point lead behind a strong quarter by O’Neill, getting to the rack and getting ot the line. Fain kept Analy close himself, getting to the rack and scoring. Isetta, Anderson and Ellis would all add triples for Petaluma to build a 37-27 lead heading into the final stanza.
This was Petaluma’s first win at Analy since 2006. They’ll have a huge test as they welcome the Healdsburg Greyhounds who sit at 5-0 in SCL play, Thursday night at 7:30pm
Analy welcomes in Elsie Allen Thursday night at 7:30 pm
