Crescenta Valley boys’ basketball overpowers Hoover
LA CRESCENTA — Through the first three games of Pacific League play, the Crescenta Valley High and Hoover boys’ basketball teams appeared to be trending in different directions.
That turned out to be evident when the Falcons and Tornadoes squared off Monday in the first of two head-to-head meetings.
Crescenta Valley had four players score in double digits, including 24 from Koko Kechichian, in a lopsided 90-43 home victory.
Crescenta Valley (10-5, 2-1 in league) also received 16 points from Trey Ballard, 15 from Journey Shank and 10 from Arman Pezeshkian in a game that featured 50 fouls. Angel Mino led Hoover (6-9, 0-3) with 20 points. Each team committed 25 fouls.
“Most of the time, we’ll have three or maybe four guys score in double digits,” said Crescenta Valley Coach Shawn Zargarian, whose team had its biggest scoring output on the season. “It makes it a lot easier to coach, but they also pass the ball to one another.
“When we lost to Pasadena [on Friday], we just didn’t give ourselves a chance. Even in the first quarter tonight, we didn’t play with much physicality or force. In the second half, I thought we were a lot more consistent. We just want to keep it that way.”
Crescenta Valley held a 42-28 halftime lead before surging early in the third quarter via a 17-0 run to take a 59-28 lead with 5:01 remaining.
Ballard made a three-pointer to give Crescenta Valley a 41-28 lead with 7:16 left, while a basket by Christopher Arzoumanian capped the run.
Hoover eventually ended the run when Argam Aghajani made a pair of free throws with 4:40 to go in the quarter.
“CV was consistent and we weren’t,” Hoover Coach Jack Van Patten said. “We have a pretty young team, but our guard play was bad and it will continue to suffer until we get better.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to fix it and pick it up.”
Crescenta Valley and Hoover will meet again Jan. 30 at Hoover.
It’s a busy week for the Falcons and Tornadoes as Crescenta Valley and Hoover will take part in three league games.
Crescenta Valley will compete at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Glendale and Hoover will travel to Burroughs at 5 also on Wednesday.
