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Burbank boys’ basketball fights off Burroughs for win

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BURBANK — Trailing Burbank High by as many as 12 points in the second half, the Burroughs High boys’ basketball team slowly inched its way back into the game, cutting the deficit bit by bit.

Down by three points with 7.9 seconds remaining, Steven Hubbell sank a long three-pointer at the top of the key for what appeared to be the equalizer for the Indians.

However, just before Hubbell went up for the shot, a timeout was called by Burroughs Coach Adam Hochberg and the basket was waved off by the officials.

The Bulldogs were then able to increase their lead to four in the final moments before a three-pointer at the buzzer by Burroughs found its mark and Burbank was left to savor a 61-60 victory at Burroughs.

“It is such a loud gym and I was trying to call a timeout earlier,” Hochberg said. “Because he made the shot, it seems a lot worse than it actually is. But that’s the way the ball bounces sometimes.”

The teams split the season series, as Burroughs beat Burbank, 59-50, on Jan. 22.

With the loss, Burroughs (19-8, 9-5 in league) finishes in a tie for third place in league with Crescenta Valley (9-5 in league). The two teams will take part in a coin flip Friday to determine the league’s third and fourth seeds entering the playoffs.

As for Burbank (18-10, 8-6 in league), it finishes fifth, one spot out of an automatic CIF berth. However, the Bulldogs can apply for an at-large spot in the postseason, as the brackets are set to be released Sunday.

“The playoffs are a new season for us and we look forward to the playoffs,” Burbank Coach Jamayne Potts said. “Playoffs are all about matchups and playing well and it’s taking what you’ve learned in league and going out and playing against those teams.

“I think we are going to be well prepared for playoffs because our league is so tough.”

Burbank received 19 points, including five three-pointers, from Ellie Hanno, 16 points on four three-pointers from Ben Chavez and 11 points and seven rebounds from Mike Woods.

The Bulldogs enjoyed a seven-point lead after three quarters and still had a seven-point cushion, 49-42, with 7:03 remaining in the game. But the Indians kept fighting back, eventually whittling the advantage down to 54-53 with 3:22 left following two three throws by Tristen Hull (17 points, 11 rebounds, six assists).

But the Bulldogs pushed back, and when Faraz Khandaker sank one free throw with 52 seconds remaining, the lead was pushed up to five, 58-53. Still trailing by three, 60-57, with 10 seconds left, Hull grabbed a rebound that set up Hubbell’s nullified three-point attempt.

Hubbell had another shot at a three-pointer to tie the score with three seconds left, but his attempt rattled off the inside of the rim and fell out. The rebound was grabbed by Khandaker, who was immediately fouled. The Bulldog made one free throw with 2.1 seconds left for a 61-57 lead. On the inbounds play, Hull launched a three-pointer from well behind half-court as the buzzer sounded and the ball hit nothing but net.

“We all played as a team and that’s why we were able to win,” Hanno said. “Last time we played Burroughs, we lost because we didn’t play together as a team.

“This win means a lot for us, especially for us seniors. We just wanted to go out and play as hard as we could. …This feels really good to win, probably the best feeling in my high school career.”

Burbank took a 19-11 lead after one quarter and led, 31-20, at the half, going up my as many as 13 in the second quarter, 31-18, with 3:05 remaining.

In the third quarter, the Bulldogs still maintained a 12-point cushion, 41-29, with 4:49 left.

Angelo Solis had 17 points and seven rebounds and Hubbell added seven points, five rebounds and five assists for the Indians.

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