Glendale High boys’ basketball works overtime to top Arcadia
When the pairings were unveiled for the La Cañada High Holiday Tournament, the Glendale High and Arcadia boys’ basketball teams found themselves in opposite brackets.
The possibility loomed that the Pacific League foes could face each other during the final day of the eight-team tournament, leading to the Nitros and Apaches meeting three times during the season.
It came to fruition Saturday and Glendale gained the upper hand.
Daniel Madden finished with 14 points, including six in overtime, and 12 rebounds to lift Glendale to a 67-62 win.
“I figured there might be a chance that we could play against each other,” Glendale Coach Ib Belou said. “We knew it would be a good battle and we have a lot of respect for Arcadia.
“I liked the way we played and we stayed with it. [Madden] was in foul trouble the whole game and he came up clutch in overtime. We expect a lot out of him and he came up big.”
Glendale (4-5) saw Arcadia (4-4) tie the game at 55 with 25 seconds left in the fourth quarter on a steal and basket by Andrew Quan.
The Nitros held a 51-44 lead with 4:10 to go in the fourth quarter before the Apaches, ranked second in CIF Southern Section Division IV-AA behind Rowland, closed out on an 11-4 run.
Madden and the Nitros regrouped in the four-minute overtime.
Madden made four free throws in the final 13.4 seconds to wrap up the victory. Edrik Abmous-Masihi collected 12 points for Glendale, including a basket with 31 seconds left in overtime to make it 63-59.
“I liked the way we played in the overtime,” said Madden, who picked up his fourth personal foul with 4:08 left in the third quarter and Glendale holding a 35-29 lead. “We had to be aggressive in the overtime and we knew coming in that Arcadia would put up a real good fight.
“We were able to run some plays and both teams were up for the challenge.”
Glendale took a 51-44 lead on a three-pointer from Eli Degrate with 4:10 left in the fourth quarter. Degrate finished with 15 points, including 12 in the second half and two in overtime.
Alexis Ramos of Glendale made three three-pointers and scored all nine of his points in the first quarter to help the Nitros build an 18-13 lead.
A three-pointer by Larrenz Carino, who was named to the all-tournament team, made it 23-18 with 5:02 to go in the second quarter. Glendale held a 27-23 halftime advantage.
Glendale and Arcadia will meet Jan. 3 in a Pacific League-opening game at Glendale. The teams will also face off Jan. 24 at Arcadia.
