Providence girls’ basketball has stellar opening
BURBANK — Providence High’s girls’ basketball team didn’t exactly ease into its season Monday. Instead, the Pioneers blasted into their new campaign.
In the first quarter in the opening game of its own 27th annual Providence Paul Sutton Tip-Off Classic against Canoga Park, Providence was dominant on defense, helping cause 12 turnovers, lethal from the outside, sinking seven three-pointers, and efficient inside the paint. That allowed the Pioneers to score 27 points and allowed the Hunters no points in the opening stanza.
Things continued to go the Pioneers’ way the rest of the way, as they were able to cruise to a 58-16 victory on their home floor.
“When we made those seven three-pointers in the first quarter, I turned to my assistant on the bench and asked him ‘Can we possibly keep this up?,’” Providence Coach Andrew Bencze said. “That was a pretty nice first quarter.”
The Pioneers weren’t able to keep up that torrid pace throughout the remainder of the contest, but they played well and their lead was never in jeopardy after the overwhelming opening stanza.
The opening-game performance was even more impressive taking into consideration Providence was without two key players — including its starting point guard — who were nursing ankle injuries. One of the injuries occurred Monday morning in a non-basketball related activity.
“We had to play without out starting point guard, who is a freshman, who we think is going to be an impact player for us,” Bencze said. “And we were without one of our players on the inside.
“When things like injuries occur, especially one on the morning of our first game, I’m almost relieved, if that’s the right word, because a lot of the pressure is off. We know we have to develop other players and now we’re forced to play other kids who might have not played as much if those injured players were with us. And that’s good because we might need these players we’re developing down the road. That’s the way I’ve got to look at it.”
While shots were falling from the outside for the Pioneers, who converted nine three-pointers, they were able to receive production in the paint from senior Jasmine Ramirez. Ramirez scored a game-high 19 points and grabbed six rebounds.
“I was a little nervous in the beginning, this being the first game. I definitely want to be aggressive this season and do all I can to help this team,” said Ramirez, who was a perfect five for five from the free-throw line. “Hopefully I can be a leader for my team and we can be successful.”
Providence received 16 points, including four three-pointers, from junior Christa Kurkjian and 13 points, including four three-pointers, from returning All-CIF senior Fabi Jimenez.
That helped the Pioneers to a first half in which they converted seven of 13 shots (53.8%) from the field.
The Providence defense was also up to the task, forcing 33 turnovers.
“In shooting, you hope you make shots, but as a coach I really can’t do anything about that,” Bencze said. “But the one thing that I feel I can help control is the way we play defense. We know the one thing that we can control is our effort and defense is all about effort. Defense is all about playing hard and once they put the effort into it and see the results, they realize how important defense is for us.”
Canoga Park (0-1) struggled with its shooting, especially early on, missing all seven of its shots in the first quarter, as the Pioneers jumped out to a 27-0 lead.
The Hunters finally got on the board with their first possession of the second quarter when Erika Ruiz sank a three-pointer with 7:44 remaining. However, those would be the team’s only points in the frame. Canoga Park also committed 11 more turnovers in the second quarter that allowed Providence to widen its advantage, 41-3, at the half.
Providence held a 55-9 lead after three quarters, prompting a running clock in the fourth.
The Pioneers return to tournament play at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in a game against Armenian General Benevolent Union at Providence.
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Jeff Tully, jeff.tully@latimes.com
Twitter: @jefftsports