Analy holds off Petaluma

Two heavyweight Sonoma County League boys basketball teams slugged it out (metaphorically, of course) Tuesday night on the Petaluma High court. When it was over, Analy’s Tigers were awarded a 53-39 decision which in no way was reflective of the game’s intensity or closeness.

Petaluma was within three points of the defending SCL champion Tigers, at 33-30, on a 3-point connection from Austin Paretti as the third quarter drew to a close. But, before the buzzer could sound ending the period, Analy sharpshooter Dom Tripodi sank an answering trey from near NBA distance to put the Tigers back up by six going into the final round.

Petaluma never got closer.

The Trojans let things slide away over the final period, losing control of the game’s tempo and their own emotions, resulting in forced shots along with both a technical and an intentional foul.

“We began to play their style,” Petaluma coach Scott Behrs said. “We lost our composure and started playing too fast.”

As the intently played game drew to a close, the Trojans tried to trade foul shots for possessions and Analy was able to pad its lead at the foul line.

In a game within the game, Petaluma’s 6-8 center Joey Potts had a major battle with Analy’s 6-7 Jordan Armstrong. The Trojan more than held his own, finishing with 11 points, 10 rebounds and countless altered Tiger shots. Armstrong scored eight points and also was a menace in the paint.

Petaluma played without 6-4 power forward Jack Anderson, who was sidelined by an illness, and his absence was evident as Analy battled for second and third shots on a night when neither team shot well and both had good-looking shots spin out or tip off the rim.

Poor and misfortunate shooting proved particularly troublesome to Petaluma in the second period, when several good looks at the basket went unrewarded. The result was a 5-point period that allowed Analy to reach halftime leading, 24-14.

Petaluma never caught up, although Potts and Paretti helped them get close in the third quarter when the guard scored seven points and the center added five. Both hit 3-point bombs.

Paretti, who not only hit from the outside, but also somehow drove through the towering forest that was the Analy inner defense, led the Trojans with 15 points, with Potts adding his 11.

Tripodi, who seemed always to have an answer for a potential Trojan surge, led Analy with 15 points, with Aaron Toner-Rodgers scoring 12.

The win was the fourth straight in league play without a defeat for Analy. The Tigers are 13-5 overall.

Petaluma is now 2-2 in league and 7-9 overall going into a home game Thursday night against Elsie Allen.