T-Girls explode in third quarter for first SCL win

Petaluma exploded in the third period to run past El Molino, 46-25, in the Sonoma County League lid lifter for the T-Girls in a game played in Sebastopol on Friday night. The game was moved to Analy High School due to a broken rim in the El Molino gym.

“We found out about the rim late on Thursday,” coach Jon Ratshin said. “It became a shorter trip in the same direction.”

The T-Girls grabbed a 10-point advantage by halftime, but outscored the Lady Lions, 10-1, after intermission, which allowed Ratshin to get extended playing time for his reserve players. A commanding advantage on the glass was instrumental in the Petaluma victory as the T-Girls out-boarded their hosts in every stanza.

Aggressive sophomore Angelina Scaccalosi made the most of her time on the floor by ringing up 10 points to lead the Petaluma attack. Scaccalosi made a bid for additional playing time earlier in the West Coast Jamboree when she continually went hard to the basket as the T-Girls took two out of three games in the Garnet Bracket.

Swing player Nichole Costa added eight points, had eight rebounds and blocked six Lady Lion shot attempts. Costa has been the top point maker (85) and rebound leader (43) for the T-Girls over the early season.

Costa, who also doubles as the Petaluma point forward in initiating the offense, did a little bit of everything as the improving T-Girls turned in a solid effort. Ratshin said the versatile junior was “the player of the game” in the important league opener, and he was pleased with her shot-blocking efforts.

Center Jaden Krist continued to contribute since her return to the lineup by pulling down a game-leading 11 rebounds for the T-Girls. Krist added six points. Kelsey Martin pulled down 10 boards.

Madeline Abramson tallied six points for the T-Girls, who have won three of their last four games. Abramson also did a solid job on the glass with seven rebounds.

Sophomore guard Chloe Kliegl tossed in nine points for the Lady Lions, who slipped to 2-12 for the season and 0-2 in the SCL. The struggling Lions have averaged 30.4 points per contest.

Petaluma traveled to the East Bay on Saturday morning, and handily defeated Patten Academy 43-16 at Pittsburg High School. The victory over the Division VI team from Oakland at the annual New Years Shootout improved the overall record for Petaluma to 5-9.

Krist had 8 points for the T-Girls, while Costa and Abramson continued their consistent scoring with 6 each.