JV Boys Basketball

It was a season of competition for the JV Coyotes. The team was among the most exclusive in recent SA history – thirteen kids were cut and the resulting 14-man squad was one of the most elite JV teams Sonoma Academy has ever produced. 

Coached by new head coach Ruben Valse, new assistant coach Luke Bertling, and longtime assistant coach Mac Sweeney, the Coyotes blitzed through the first half of league play. At the midpoint of the season the JV team held a strong 5-0 record and were in command of their destiny. 

Even after a long break they kept their foot on the gas, ending with a final record of 16-2, 10–0 in league. Their undefeated status earned them the league championship, adding yet another broad banner to the already full walls surrounding our gym. 

Unfortunately, JV teams in NCL don’t compete in playoffs, but the season was nevertheless a rousing success. This promising young talent will surely make waves on Varsity in years to come. 

Varsity Boys Basketball

The boys Varsity season started off strong, with a third place finish in the always-competitive St. Helena tournament. However, as the boys dove into league play, they faced some unexpected adversity. An in-league loss to Calistoga forced the boys to up their game, and they responded with the passion and drive Coyotes show game in and game out. They took down reigning league champions Credo in a tense, dramatic 58-57 win to regain control, and after avenging their earlier loss to Calistoga with a 20-point blowout, the Coyotes again took down Credo to retake the league throne.  

Holding a strong 17-7 record, the Varsity boys Coyotes submitted their resume for the North Coast Section playoffs. The playoffs had been reworked for this season, allowing for more competition and better placement of teams. The Coyotes ended up as the #10 seed in NCS DV, matched up against a tough #7 ranked Encinal team. Encinal is an East Bay school of about 1,200 kids, and they came into the Coyotes’ den with supreme confidence. 

Unfortunately for them, they ran into a fiery squad ready to make Sonoma Academy history. The game started tight, with each team making runs. The Coyotes led at halftime, 30-19, and despite a late-game Encinal push, the Coyotes secured the win, 57-49. Only one other SA boys basketball team had ever won a first-round NCS game. The Coyotes were headed to the second round. 

In it, they matched up against Alhambra, another big public school. Alhambra was ranked #2 in DV, and they were coming off a blowout against Quarry Lane. But the Coyotes didn’t back down, and after making the long drive down to Martinez, they came out ready to keep the story going. They trailed by seven at the half, and going into the final minutes of the fourth quarter the Boys managed to cut that to six. Unfortunately, the shots didn’t fall and the Varsity boys Coyotes’ season ended, with a final score of 65-58. 

Even though the ending wasn’t what they’d hoped for, the boys had a lot to be proud of. They won the league, made history, and played a tight game with the eventual DV champions. Not only that, they also developed a young squad into a formidable team. The boys Varsity team will certainly continue to be seen, and feared, in future NCS playoff brackets. 

Varsity Girls Basketball

A team of mostly seniors, the Girls Varsity team came into the 2025 season with high expectations. They began the season at the Hoops vs. Cancer tournament, and after a tough loss in the first round, the Girls looked to rebound in a big game against Marin Academy. And rebound they did; Senior Ann Tyko hit a buzzer beating shot to bring the Coyotes their first win over MA in four years. The next day, the girls beat up San Rafael in a 20-point blowout and claimed first place in the consolation bracket.

Soon after, the league season began, and the Coyotes quickly set the standard of dominance they’d continue throughout. At the season’s midpoint the girls held a 7-0 in league record. The closest league game they’d played was a 20-point win. They kept rolling, winning league and non-league games alike. At the season’s conclusion, the girls Varsity team held an impressive 20-4 record, 14-0 in league. This spotless record brought them yet another league championship, and after submitting their resume, the Girls were awarded the impressive #3 seed in NCS DIV. 

This high seed was unprecedented in Sonoma Academy history, but the Girls were unfazed. They kicked off the playoffs with a 30-point victory over Arroyo, then faced a gritty Hoopa Valley team. It was a battle, but Senior Captain Ellie Stearn hit a game-winning layup in the final seconds to close it out and send the Coyotes to the Semifinals. 

In the Semifinals the girls faced #2 seeded Head-Royce. The Coyotes fought hard, but ended up falling to the eventual DIV champions. However, their season wasn’t over yet; they were lined up to face #5 Sonoma Valley in the third-place game. Unfortunately, despite another closely contested game, the girls lost, bringing their season to an end. 

Despite the disappointing finish, the girls’ playoff run will go down as one of the best in Sonoma Academy history. With several seniors graduating this year, girls Varsity will have to regroup and reload, but they will surely stay strong and competitive.

Interview with Ellie Stearn ’25

The Paw Print secured an exclusive interview with Senior Captain and Colorado College commit Ellie Stearn (‘25). 

*A few answers were very lightly edited for clarity.

PP: How do you think the team grew throughout the season and did you notice any big changes within the group?

ES: The beginning of the season, like each season, was just a massive learning experience. Each game was different; we’d play against something new depending on what opportunities the other team gave us. At the Marin Academy tournament earlier in the season is when we started to get the feeling we’d make a deep run: we took a hard loss in our first round and it set us off with a hungry mindset to win the next two. Ann hit a buzzer beater against MA, a team we haven’t beaten in the past four years, and we blew out San Rafael by 20+. We grew closer as time went on, and each practice was just a joy to be a part of.

PP: Your team made a deep NCS run – How did you and the team find ways to deal with the high pressure in tight games?

ES: We spent the entire season preparing for moments like those: high pressure and tight games. We played against every offense and every defense, and drilled our plays down to each detail until they became second nature. I remember that before each NCS playoff game, [Head Varsity Coach] Kevin would reiterate the truth that this is the moment we’ve been preparing for. All we needed to do was trust in our preparation and good things would happen. Like always, he was right.

PP: You’re a four-year varsity player. How have you personally grown since freshman year and looking back on your journey would you have done anything differently?

ES: Since freshman year, I have dedicated myself to the game of basketball. The only thing that has not changed in these four years has been my passion. My first day on varsity I was nothing special skill-wise. The only difference was that I just loved it. I’d shoot before and after practices, on weekends, on off days, during school, at nights, in the mornings. Nobody ever had to tell me to work hard; I just did it because I loved it and I couldn’t leave any gym without feeling like I gave it my all.

PP: How did you manage struggles and successes while still working hard and playing at a high level?

ES: My biggest struggle was not putting in the work, but believing that it would pay off. I always felt like I had to do more, and I was never content with where I was at. I’d have a great game and then forget about it in a night, expecting myself to have an even better one the next day. That mindset accelerated my development but detrimented my confidence, and I hit low points several times a season. Honestly, it wasn’t until my senior year when I was content with my performances and realized that my self confidence should not be swayed by one game, good or bad. Instead, it should lay steadily in the hours of work and the foundation I’ve been building since I first touched a basketball in seventh grade.

PP: You’re committed to Colorado College to play DIII basketball. Is there anything specific about this next step that you’re looking forward to?

ES: I’m most looking forward to the truly passionate and positive team environment at Colorado College and playing with girls who all share the same love for the game. To be able to compete alongside players who take academics seriously but know how to balance them with basketball will be great, and especially having the opportunity to learn and grow from the amazing people there. The speed and level will be faster and more elite, and it will take a while to adjust to, but I know I’ll put in the work and I’ve got a solid base to hold on to when I face adversity.