Buzzer-beating three-pointer lifts Petaluma over Napa in season finale
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
Sometimes you can do everything the right way and still get the short end of the stick.
Or in other cases, that can just be how your season goes.
That was the deal for the Napa High boys’ basketball team in their season finale when they lost to Petaluma 49-48.
The Grizzlies (7-19 overall, 3-9 Vine Valley Athletic League) held the lead in this one, but on the games final possession Petaluma’s Liam Gotschall pulled up from 28 feet away and banked home a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give the Trojans the victory.
Throughout the game, Petaluma (17-8, 8-3 VVAL) held as big of a lead as ten, but Napa was able to come all the way back in the fourth quarter and even take a lead within the final minute.
“We sped up the game, forced some turnovers,” Napa coach Zack Cook said. “We got Brayden loose finally for some open shots.”
On the night, the Grizzlies were led by senior Danny Ruiz. In his final game at Napa High, he ended the night with 14 points and two rebounds.
Also, senior Logan Van Zandt added 10 points and four rebounds.
“That’s a cool thing to have them leading us in their final game,” Cook explained. “ I wish we could have got the win also, but I’m gonna miss all the seniors.
Brayden Greenlee added nine points while Jack Hunter pitched in eight and two rebounds.
Spencer Gorman also brought in four boards and scored three points.
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An incredible group of senior athletes and their families. We are proud of you! 💛💙 #wearenapa
With it being Senior Night, Napa also honored its six Seniors pregame. Those honored were Ruiz, Van Zandt, Hunter, Will Marseilles, Joe Laliberte, and Tony Gonzalez. They’re also the first class that Cook has been there all four years for.
“I’ll see them around school and stuff, but I’m gonna miss all those guys,” he added. “And I was glad we were able to celebrate with them tonight with a good game.”
Petaluma will continue to fight for a postseason spot on Friday night at 7 p.m. when they host Justin-Siena. In the last meeting on January 24th, they won 46-31.
In other VVAL games on Wednesday night, Casa Grande-Petaluma beat Justin-Siena 62-57 and American Canyon beat Sonoma Valley 72-62. The full league standings can be viewed here.
