PETALUMA, CA - Casa Grande’s girls basketball team defeated Petaluma for the second time this season, this time in the North Coast Section Division II playoffs in front of a capacity crowd at Petaluma High School, 45-38.
The turning point came late in the third, with a sequence that placed momentum firmly on the Casa Grande sideline. With the score 33-27 in favor of the Gauchos, and 2:27 remaining in the third, a missed three-point field goal by Kaileigh Pate ensued with a fast break for the Gauchos, and an intentional foul was called on Petaluma’s Kassidy Bacon, much to the displeasure of Petaluma coach Jon Ratshin.
“She went for the ball," commented Ratshin. "That was in no way intentional.”
After a few words with the official, Ratshin was assessed a technical foul, with two free throws for Mia Cain, and she made both. A put-back layup by Cain then put the Gauchos up 38-27, and changed the dynamic of the game.
As far as the beginning of the game, the first four minutes belonged to Casa Grande. Cain asserted herself inside and Hannah Sullivan started a 26-point night with a three-pointer. Tight, full court defense caused four Petaluma turnovers. Four minutes into the game, Petaluma (23-6) only got one shot up.
“It was a struggle early on, they always play good defense,” Ratshin added.
Casa Grande (15-12) led 9-0 at one point, forcing a time out for the Trojans. Pate hit an early three, Angelina Sccacalosi hit a pair of free throws, and Sheriene Arikat started off a 12-point night with a pair of buckets. After one period, Casa Grande led 12-9. Despite that, Casa Grande coach Dan Sack was less than pleased with the overall performance.
“We didn't play very well. We haven't played in over a week," Sack said. "We were slow tonight.”
Sullivan started the second period with a three, one of the few points scored in the quarter. Bella Weinberg hit the only shot for Petaluma in the period, a deep two from the corner. Good defense by both teams and turnovers were the theme of the second stanza, but Casa Grande had built a 19-11 halftime lead.
Petaluma outscored the Gauchos in the fourth quarter, after falling behind by double digits late in the third. Arikat forced her way to the free throw line on three different occasions, converting half her attempts. Courtney Temple and Sccacalosi added a pair of buckets, but Cain’s 11 fourth quarter points were the difference and stopped any hopes of a Petaluma comeback.
Petaluma’s season ends at 23-6, and its 15-game winning streak was snapped.
Casa Grande advances to play number one seed Miramonte on Friday night. The Matadors routed Washington in their opening game, 92-30.
