PETALUMA, CA - A packed house in Petaluma saw Piner-Santa Rosa take down the Trojans, 55-48, to sweep the season series.
Scott Erickson’s three pointer with 2:34 to go put the Prospectors up 48-40, and sank Petaluma’s chances at a comeback.
Erickson was masterful in the fourth quarter. In just his second game back from a torn ACL from last season, he had 11 points, including the dagger three mentioned above. Brennan Carpenter also contributed four points in the final quarter, as Piner began to get separation. Jack Anderson did his best to keep Petaluma (12-10, 5-3 SCL) in the game. In a physical battle with not a lot of whistles being blown, he mustered 10 fourth quarter points. A three cut the deficit to six, but Jared Saddler was money from the line for the Prospectors.
The two teams were dead even from the start. Piner (16-6, 6-2) started off ahead on a Carpenter lay in, but then Brendan O’Neill, who was held in check all night, scored his only bucket of the game. The two teams would trade baskets the entire period, with Justin Wolbert hitting a three near the end of the shot clock to put the game at 10-10 after one in a classic Piner-Petaluma defensive effort.
Anderson continued a nice night for Petaluma in the second quarter, getting inside and muscling his way to four more points before the half. Recently called up from the junior varsity, Cole Powers came in and hit two three’s to give Petaluma the lead. Jorge San Ramón had a monster second period for Piner, however. He scored 12 points in the eight minutes, and went three of three from beyond the arc, including a last second shot to give them the Prosepctors the lead going into the half.
Defense continued to be key in the second half, as Petaluma was held to only two field goals in the third period, one by Anderson and another by Devin Gottschall. Free throw shooting was strong for the Trojans, hitting six-of-eight attempts from the line. Saddler, Carpenter and Christian Gutierrez all scored for Piner in a low scoring third period, leaving the teams tied at 32 after three quarters.
Piner will host Analy Wednesday night, while Petaluma goes to Sonoma Valley, in a rematch of a game that got chippy the first time around.