Liberty League run in jeopardy for Providence girls’ basketball

BURBANK — Before the start of the 2016-17 girls’ basketball season, Providence High Coach Andrew Bencze wasn’t exactly sure what to expect.

The veteran graduated some great scorers, while his new team lacked continuity and an identity.

Those doubts and his team’s ultimate successes weren’t lost on Bencze, even after a significant defeat.

Visiting Holy Martyrs clinched a share of the Liberty League championship by defeating the Pioneers, 47-35, on senior night in Providence’s regular-season finale.

Perhaps more significant than that, however, is that the Pioneers (15-11, 7-3) are also on the cusp of having their league title streak snapped at seven after losing the season series to Armens, 2-0.

The Pioneers need Milken Community (7-15, 1-8) to defeat Holy Martyrs (18-7, 7-2) on Thursday in the season finale to clinch a share of a title, a prospect that Bencze didn’t entertain.

“We lost four starters and we knew that it would be difficult for this team to get back to a league championship, but here they were tonight playing for a league title,” said Bencze, whose squad will now prepare for the CIF Southern Section playoffs next week. “I’m proud of this team for getting to that point, because there are no guarantees.”

Sophomore Ariel Gordillo led Providence with 16 points and two steals, but was her team’s only player to score more than six points.

In comparison, Holy Martyrs boasted two scorers in double figures, as senior Aleek Derderian led all players with 20 points.

That scoring differential caught up to the Pioneers in the third quarter.

Providence only trailed, 24-19, at the half but was held without a field goal in the third quarter as the team missed all 10 of its attempts and settled on five free throws from Gordillo.

While Holy Martyrs didn’t light up the scoreboard, either, the Armens won the third, 11-5, to take a 35-24 lead after three.

Though Providence opened the fourth quarter with a perimeter jumper from Christa Kurkjian, the Pioneers went another three minutes without a basket.

Again, the Armens didn’t dominate, but they continued to slowly build their lead and eventually jumped ahead, 45-30, with 1:21 left on a 10-6 spurt.

Shortly after, Bencze emptied his bench.

“They played hard and I thought they played with a lot of heart,” Bencze said of his squad. “We just missed our chances and really struggled on offense. Plus, I thought Holy Martyrs played very well and they deserve to win a championship.”

Though Holy Martyrs junior Marinor Balouzian didn’t score a point, the center was a game-changer on defense as she finished with 12 rebounds and six blocks and was an intimidator in the paint.

“She made it difficult in the post and also for the wings to drive and get their lay-ups,” said Providence senior Christy Hofman, who finished with five points and 10 rebounds. “The inside game just wasn’t ours today.”

Providence led, 9-8, with 1:18 left in the first quarter when the Armens closed out on a 4-0 spurt to take a 12-9 advantage after one.

Holy Martyrs led, 24-13, with 2:47 left in the first half before a 6-0 run from the Pioneers, capped on a three-pointer from Keara Garcia, brought Providence within 24-19 at the break.