Petaluma boys hope to find success inside this season

“We’ve gone old to young,” says Petaluma High varsity basketball coach Scott Behrs as he reviews a Petaluma Trojan team that, despite its youth, has high hopes for the coming season.

Petaluma was not only a senior-dominated team, but a successful team last season, going 19-9, and battling for the Sonoma County League championship right up to the finish. They finished their season in spectacular fashion, defeating league champion Analy in the finals of the Sonoma County League Tournament before losing in overtime to Redwood in the North Coast Section playoffs.

But that was then, and this is now. The Trojans return just four seniors from that team, and have only five 12th graders on the team.

Not only will Petaluma have new players, it will have a new look on the court. With the loss of its bevy of outstanding guards, The Trojans will look inside. They aren’t huge, but they will have two solid big men in 6-8 veteran Joey Potts and 6-5 Jack Anderson coming up from the junior varsity. “We will transition into a post-play team,” says Behrs.

The coach has been impressed with the way Anderson has adapted to varsity play and the improvement shown by Potts. “Joey is now able to play through contact,”he explains. “And he has improved his vertical game.”

Petaluma is also counting on junior Devin Gottschall for help up front. At 6-4, he isn’t overly tall, but Behrs says, “He blocks out very well.”

Senior Colin Stremlau will bring a veteran’s knowledge and determination to the front court.

Petaluma loses a ton of athleticism in its back court, but there is talent available.

The coaches think so highly of Brendan O’Neill that he has been named a team captain as a junior. “He is very explosive,” says Behrs.

Austin Paretti returns to provide ball handing and 3-point range shooting.

A pair of juniors, Ellis Whitaker and football quarterback Justin Wolbert, have good athleticism and will add dept to the backcourt. Dennis Hayden at guard and Teddy Critchett at power forward are also being counted on to help-.

Kyle Medieros is a senior with basketball skills, but he is coming back from leg surgery last year.

One of Behr’s biggest challenges is to find a point guard to direct the offense. The early season starter will be senior Benny Spaletta. “He is coming along, but he has never played point guard before in his life,” says Behrs.

Playing behind Spaletta is sophomore Robbie Isetta, and the Petaluma coaching staff is intrigued with the potential of the talented 10th grader. “He could be a very good player for us,” Behrs said.

Waiting impatiently for an opportunity to play is Trey Davis, a junior transfer from St. Vincent who will help when he becomes eligible on Jan. 2. “He is very athletic. He will help us,” said the coach.

Behrs said the Trojans will be ready from the start.

“The players and coaches worked hard in the off season,” the coach says, pointing out that most of the players played in three tournaments, played in a league at Santa Rosa Junior College and played AAU with the North Bay Basketball Academy. This is in addition to the time the players put in working on individual skills in open gym sessions and conditioning on the track and in the weight room.

Behrs said the work will be necessary if the Trojans are to compete in what he expects to be a wide open Sonoma County League. “Every SCL game will be a battle,” he said. “Healdsburg is really up, Analy will be tough again. Sonoma will be good. Every game will be tough.”