Trojan improvement culminates with a win

The improvement the Petaluma High School boys basketball team has shown on each step of the young season culminated with its first victory on the final night of Ukiah’s Fred Iten Tournament last weekend.

Petaluma’s Trojans defeated Fort Bragg, 59-49, in its last tournament game following losses to San Lorenzo, 54-39, and the tournament host team, Ukiah, 71-60.

“San Lorezno just out-quicked us,” said Petaluma coach John Behrs. “They may be the quickest team we will play.”

Petaluma fell behind by 15 points at the half, and just couldn’t get back into the game.

One good thing from the Trojan standpoint was the San Lorenzo press. “That was the best thing they did for us,” Behrs said. “We were able to break the press and get some good looks at the basket.”

Although Petaluma was beaten the following night by Ukiah, there were signs of improvement. Most important may have been the emergence of 6-foot, 4-inch center Justin Mahrt. “He really woke up,” said Behrs. “He was a lot more aggressive.” The senior finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.

The game was decided at the foul line where the Trojans hit just two of 12 attempts.

“I thought we controlled the game,” Behrs said. “We were able to run our offense a lot better and we rebounded better. The difference was at the free throw line.”

In what Behrs said was Petaluma’s best quarter of the season, the Trojans jumped out to a 16-4 opening quarter lead over Fort Bragg. The Timberwolves battled back to tie the game at 23-23 at the half. Petaluma played what the coach said was a “real good second half,” building a lead of as much as 15 points before Fort Bragg closed a bit at the finish.

Ryan Cox had a big game for the Trojans, scoring 19 points, while Johnny Molinari added nine, Ryan Perez eight and Mahrt and Ben Sanderson six apiece.

“Each game we got better,” Behrs said. “There are still a lot of things we have to work on, but they are all things we can control. We are right there.

“If we make our free throws, rebound and take care of the basketball, we can play with anyone.”

Petaluma is expected to cancel a scheduled Thursday game at Kelseyville, not wanting to travel to Lake County in the storm. The Trojans are home Saturday night against San Rafael.