Advertisement

Burbank boys’ basketball back in CIF quarterfinals

Share

Stellar all-around play throughout its CIF Southern Section Division III-AA second round game has the Burbank High boys’ basketball team back in the quarterfinals for a second consecutive season.

On Friday night in front of their home crowd, the Bulldogs secured a 58-48 win over La Sierra, due to excellent play on both ends.

“I thought we played a good defensive game,” said Burbank Coach Jamayne Potts, whose squad will now host No. 2 seed Crean Lutheran on Tuesday after Crean defeated Laguna Beach, 54-49, in overtime. “Even the shots they made, we were contesting. We had 10 offensive boards in the first half, so we were doing a great job creating second chance opportunities.

“I liked our energy. We like to play desperate; dive for loose balls, hit the offensive glass, push the ball.”

The double-digit final margin wasn’t indicative of a game that was tightly contested throughout, with neither team able to create a comfortable cushion.

Burbank’s Michael Woods, who led his team with 23 points, hit a three-pointer to give the Bulldogs (21-8) a 50-43 lead midway through the fourth. It was the largest lead by either team up until that mark.

With just over a minute remaining, Woods electrified the crowd with a fast-break crossover, leaving it for Faraz Khandaker, who finished the layup and forced a La Sierra (21-7) timeout, as it trailed, 54-48. The Eagles couldn’t score a point down the stretch, however, as Burbank iced it with free throws in the final minute.

Woods and Khandaker combined for 10 of Burbank’s 14 points in the fourth quarter. Khandaker finished with 13 in the game. Abdullah Kobaissi added 12.

“Michael was aggressive, Faraz played a good second half,” Potts said. “Overall, it was a good team win. Great support from our student-body.”

Burbank overcame eight threes from La Sierra, which was led by 14 apiece by Jerod Elliot and George Nze.

The first half saw four ties and five lead changes, but Burbank is no stranger to close games.

“We’ve been here,” Potts said. “The experience last year [helps us]. [Plus] we’ve been in so many tights game all throughout the league it gets us prepared.”

Advertisement