PETALUMA, Calif - Casa Grande-Petaluma proved that their tough non league schedule has paid big dividends with a 63-48 win over cross town rival Petaluma, who came into the game 12-2 overall.
Although Petaluma cut it close a couple of times in the second half, it was really Casa Grande’s 11-0 start to the game that really paved the way.
“We didn’t want to come out flat. I’m really happy with our energy level. We set the tone and got the cushion that we needed,” said Casa Grande head coach Dan Sack. “We got some tenacious girls. We try to do this against every team we play. We upset Acalanes, and we pressed them all game.”
Petaluma didn’t get on the board until Paris Buchanan found one to go with 4:06 to go in the first. Emma Reese started off a big night by hitting a three to put the Gauchos up 14-2, causing Petaluma coach Sophie Bihn to call a timeout.
Petaluma was able to settle in after that. A three from Mandy O’Keefe and Sheriene Arikat getting a lay up to roll in cut it to 14-7, but Casa Grande’s (8-7, 4-0) foot stayed on the gas pedal with Reese hitting another three, Trinity Merwin knocking one down from the line, and Bella Blue putting one in for a 20-7 Casa Grande lead after one.
Petaluma was then able to keep things interesting, and would outscore Casa Grande 14-13 in the period. Rose Nevin kicked off her big night a little late, but not too late grabbing too many rebounds to count, and scoring four points on those offensive rebounds. Sheriene Arikat was able to get to the free throw line, but only hit three of six attempts.
The Trojans got some help by Rachel Bles and Mallory O’Keefe hitting threes. Casa Grande kept winning the battle in transition, forcing a lot of Petaluma turnovers into easy buckets. Merwin was a big part of that in the second quarter, as was a few other Gauchos all sharing the love like Blue, Gardea, and Cassie Llaverias. Casa Grande held a 33-21 halftime advantage.
Petaluma (12-3, 2-1) made it a little bit closer by getting inside, and getting easy looks at the rim. Nevin continued her big game, grabbing more rebounds and either scoring those or getting to the free throw line. She took a pass from Mandy O’Keefe and had a nice pump fake and drive to the basket to cut the deficit to 35-27, and caused Casa Grande to call timeout.
“I give Petaluma credit. They came back and stayed in the game.” Sack said postgame.
When she got to the charity stripe, she knocked down three of five, and dropped in two buckets inside the paint for a seven point quarter. Taylor Iacopi scored her only points of the game with a three ball.
Reese was held scoreless for Casa Grande in the third quarter, but her teammates kept the team adloat with contributions from Llaverias scoring five points in the quarter, as well as Merwin adding three, but Casa Grande still held a 43-35 lead after three.
Arikat started the quarter with a three off the back rim and rolling into the basket to cut the deficit down to five, the closest they had been since the first quarter. Casa Grande would go back to Reese, time and time again getting the ball and letting it fly, taking seven three point attempts, and making four of them to push Casa Grande out to a 15 point lead at one point.
“We shoot a lot of three’s. We got hot, and hit some in the fourth quarter to create some separation.” said Sack.
Arikat and Nevin were still able to play hard for Petaluma, with Arikat hitting two more shots for a seven point quarter. Merwin finished out her night strong, with a couple more layups in transition as the Gauchos full court pressure was on the entire night, forcing plenty of Trojan turnovers.
Reese finished with 24 points for Casa Grande, with 18 of them coming off three’s. Nevin finished the Petaluma night with 16 points, and 17 rebounds. Arikat finished with 15 points.
Casa Grande will host Montgomery in a non league bout on Saturday, with a 4:30 tip off.
“What we’re trying to work on is no let down’s no matter who we play. We played a tough schedule for a reason,” commented Sack. “Our message is all the time is: Respect everybody, don’t look past anybody and play every game as if you’re playing Cardinal Newman or Miramonte.”
Petaluma will hit the road to American Canyon to try and stay just a game out of first place in the VVAL.
