Defensive effort propels Providence girls’ basketball to victory
BURBANK – With a point differential larger than the total number of points allowed, the Providence High girls’ basketball team enjoyed an easy effort Saturday morning thanks to its hard-working defense.
The Pioneers dominated the turnover margin by hounding visiting Canoga Park Armenian General Benevolent Union and remained undefeated in Liberty League play with a 47-19 victory.
CIF Southern Section Division IV-A No. 6-ranked Providence improved to 15-5 and 5-0 in league at the midway point of league as the Pioneers are in the hunt for their second league title in three seasons.
“I’m really pleased with the defensive effort, particularly in the second quarter,” Providence coach Andrew Bencze said. “I think the last three games, our defense has clicked. We played hard in the first quarter, but were undisciplined. In the second quarter, we turned that around.”
The Pioneers received a well-rounded effort as seven players chipped in at least one point.
Ariel Gordillo led the pack with 12 points and six steals, while Sarah Cox contributed 11 points and seven rebounds, Keara Garcia chipped in nine points, freshman Melissa Zozulenko tallied seven points, eight rebounds and four steals and Francesca Maravilla totaled four points, six steals and four rebounds.
Maybe the biggest stat was turnovers, however, as the Pioneers forced 40 versus allowing 18.
That advantage played out in the second quarter after a sluggish first eight minutes gave way to a Pioneers’ 9-8 advantage.
AGBU (1-13, 1-5) held its last lead, 12-10, on an up-and-under basket from Ashley Shanazoglou at the 6:21 mark in the second quarter.
From that point on, Providence ran off an impressive 24-0 run to take a 34-12 advantage at halftime.
Providence forced 12 turnovers in the quarter, while committing only four itself, and the Pioneers received scoring contributions during the streak from Garcia (eight points), Gordillo (seven), Zozulenko (five points), Cox (two points) and Maravilla (two points).
AGBU snapped its scoreless drought with a basket at the four-minute mark in the third quarter, but was still held to five points in the third quarter and two in the fourth.
“We came out here and we did what we needed to do,” Maravilla said. “We played hard, we talked a lot and we played great defense.”
Maybe the biggest positive for Providence on Saturday was Gordillo’s play, as the junior guard missed most of the season due to injury, but scored a season-high in her third game since returning.
“At first it was difficult for me coming back,” Gordillo said, “but I’ve been practicing more and I thought about how I can make myself better. I think I’ve improved, but I’m still not where I want to be.”
Talia Ajemian paced AGBU with eight points.
Twitter: @campadresports
