Providence boys’ basketball knocks off No. 1
BURBANK — When the Providence High boys’ basketball team began Independence League play by losing two of its first three games, the hopes of repeating as league champion were severely diminished.
But the Pioneers have rolled to a string of victories and kept their title hopes alive.
However, to stay on that title path, Providence had to get past Santa Monica Pacifica Christian, the No. 1-ranked team in CIF Southern Section Division V-AA, and a squad that easily defeated the Pioneers in the teams’ first game.
The Pioneers built an early lead against the Seawolves, held off a comeback in the third quarter and pulled away in the fourth for a 71-59 Independence League victory Tuesday evening at Providence.
“I tried to make this game personal for our team,” said Providence coach Brandon Lincoln, whose squad lost to Pacifica Christian, 85-48, on Jan. 9. “Pacifica Christian embarrassed us the first time and I knew that wasn’t our team.
“So this time, I tried to conjure up some energy and have them go out there and fight no matter what the circumstances were.”
With two games remaining, Providence (16-8, 6-2 in league) is tied for first with remaining games at home Friday against Pilibos and Monday on the road at Canoga Park Armenian General Benevolent Union.
“We knew after struggling in league early in the season there needed to be a sense of urgency,” said Lincoln, whose team has won five straight in league. “We challenged ourselves and we tried to make things work even though we faced some adversity.
“We have just taken ownership of things and we have challenged ourselves to get better every night.”
Providence, ranked No. 9 in Division V-AAA, received 23 points and five rebounds from Tevan Khudatyan, 12 points and nine rebounds from Jordan Shelley, 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks from Joe Whelan and nine points and three steals from Bryce Whitaker.
The Pioneers got rolling early, outscoring Pacifica Christian (15-6, 6-2), 20-9, after one quarter. Providence increased its advantage to 14, 37-23, at the half.
But things went south for the Pioneers in the third quarter. Providence missed its first eight shots from the field and was outscored in the stanza, 16-4.
Providence hobbled into the fourth quarter leading by just two, 41-39.
“We knew at that moment that we needed to step up,” Khudatyan said. “Coach Lincoln got on us and told us that we needed to give a better effort.
“That has happened to us sometimes this season where we will have a good half and then we’ll have a bad half. We just needed to turn things around.”
The Pioneers opened the fourth quarter on a 10-0 run, which included two consecutive three-pointers by Whitaker and a three-pointer by Jonas Holt to give themselves some breathing room, 51-39, with 6:38 remaining.
The Seawolves could only trim the lead to nine, 59-50, at the 3:39 mark of the fourth.
Kenny Minchin paced Pacifica Christian with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Twitter: @jefftsports
