Glendale High girls’ basketball romps way into quarterfinals
GLENDALE — Couple together a spirited Glendale High girls’ basketball team and a cold-shooting Notre Dame Academy squad and the result is a CIF Southern Section Division II-A second-round playoff blowout.
The host Nitros led by 10 points after one quarter and never looked back in a 53-32 victory Saturday evening.
With the win, No. 7-ranked Glendale (18-11) advanced to Wednesday’s quarterfinals. Glendale, which finished fourth in the Pacific League, will host second-seeded South Coast League champion Aliso Niguel (18-6) at 7 p.m.
“Our efforts today started back in our first game,” Glendale Coach Tadeh Mardirosian said in reference to his team’s 56-46 first-round road triumph at Whittier on Thursday. “We learned that defense is more than just reaching, gambling. It’s about moving your legs and actually playing some defense.”
Glendale stifled Sunshine League runner-up Notre Dame Academy (16-10), which never got on track.
The Regal Gryphons shot one for 18 (6%) in the first quarter and four for 35 (11%) in the first half.
“Our goal was to pressure them,” Glendale junior guard Jillian Yanai said. “We had to be prepared for shooting from their guards. I think we did a good job there, but there’s still a lot to improve for the next round, because we’re going to need to play better.”
Sylvia Vartazarian (15 rebounds and two blocks) and Claire Yanai (10 blocks and two steals) shared the
team-high honors with 14 points each, while Vasghanian added eight points.
“It feels amazing to win and continue in CIF,” said Glendale senior Latu, who finished with six points and five assists. “Coach told us that if we’re going to win, it’s going to be because of our defense.”
Glendale opened with a 10-2 run fueled by four points and one assist by Yanai, who finished with 11 points, five assists and three steals.
Notre Dame senior Kendall Chan converted her team’s lone first-quarter field goal at 1:34 to bring the Regal Gryphons within 10-4.
Glendale countered with an offensive put back from Vartazarian and a jumper from Lilia Vasghanian off an assist from Merina Latu to take a 14-4 advantage after one quarter.
Glendale’s lead never again dipped into single digits, as the Nitros closed out the first half with a 9-0 run to take a commanding 32-12 advantage into the break.
When Glendale wasn’t forcing Notre Dame Academy into tough shots, the Nitros were forcing turnovers, as they created 16 takeaways, which helped neutralize their 18 giveaways.
“Hey, this is Glendale,” quipped Mardirosian when asked if he was concerned about his team’s giveaways. “I’m just happy with the effort.”
Glendale won the third quarter, 10-9, and tied in the fourth, 11-11, to win by 21 points.
Notre Dame Academy’s Dannielle Orteza led all players with 18.
Glendale’s offense featured three scorers in double digits and five players who chipped in six or more points.
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Andrew J. Campa, andrew.campa@latimes.com
Twitter: @campadresports
