Burroughs girls’ basketball gets back to business, first place
It’s been a topsy-turvy last couple of games for the Burroughs High girls’ basketball team.
Four days prior, the Indians saw their 45-game Pacific League winning streak snapped, while they simultaneously surrendered their solo grip atop the league standings to upstart Glendale and stalwart Crescenta Valley.
On Tuesday, familiarity returned to visiting Burroughs as the Indians again stymied league rival Crescenta Valley, 49-32.
That final came moments after surging Pasadena (16-6, 4-2) defeated Glendale (12-8, 3-2) by a 58-55 score.
It all translated into Burroughs (12-8, 4-1) regaining its footing in first in league ahead of a few teams, including Crescenta Valley (11-8, 3-2).
“Tonight was about showing the toughness that we needed to show after Friday’s loss,” Burroughs Coach Vicky Oganyan said. “I was proud of the way we practiced and prepared for this game. We still struggled, we still have areas to improve on, but we put together a good effort.”
Burroughs received a pair of standout efforts from junior Marin Grote and senior Kamryn Cardenaz.
Grote finished with 21 points and 18 rebounds, while Cardenaz added 18 points.
Perhaps the turning point in Tuesday’s contest came with 16.7 seconds left in the third quarter.
That’s when Crescenta Valley’s Rachel Dayag had her head slammed into the court while hustling for a loose ball and colliding with two other players. Dayag was down for a little more than five minutes before the starter was helped off the court.
Crescenta Valley was awarded two free throws – both made by Caity Bouchard – that pulled the visitors within 33-27 at the end of three quarters.
While the Falcons were only down two possessions, they never quite recovered, as Dayag sat out the rest of the game.
Burroughs, on the other hand, created some much-desired separation with a 10-2 run fueled by seven points from Cardenaz and three points from Grote to go up, 43-29, with 1:51 left in the game.
Overall, the Indians won the fourth quarter, 16-5, to roll to a 17-point victory.
“It shows that when you put in the hard work, results will come,” Grote said. “From this point on, we are determined not to lose again. Really, there’s no more pressure on us, because the streak is over and now we want to start a new one.”
Despite the loss of Dayag, who was fine after the contest, Crescenta Valley Coach Jason Perez refused to blame the injury as the main reason for his team’s loss. Instead, the veteran coach pointed his finger at another culprit.
“That’s not the only thing that took the wind out of our sails because I could go on a rant right now, honestly,” Perez said. “When it comes down to it, you have to make open shots. We were 11 for 52 (21%). If we shoot better, it’s just a different game than this.”
Burroughs never trailed, leading Crescenta Valley, 12-6, after one quarter and, 24-18, at the half.
The Falcons kept themselves in the contest thanks to a press defense that forced 20 turnovers. On the flip side, Crescenta Valley committed only eight turnovers.
Polin Megerdichian led the Falcons with 10 points, while Bouchard added eight points.
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Andrew J. Campa, andrew.campa@latimes.com
Twitter: @campadresports
