Three-pointers lead Glendale boys’ basketball past Hoover
GLENDALE — Thanks to some sharp-shooting from behind the arc, the Glendale High boys’ basketball team capped a down year with an uplifting finish.
The visiting Nitros led by as many as 24 points before coasting to a 69-57 victory over archrival Hoover on Thursday evening in the Pacific League and season finale for both squads.
The win gave the Nitros (10-17 overall, 3-11 in league) the season sweep over the Tornadoes (6-20, 3-11), while both teams, playoff participants a year ago, finished tied for sixth in league.
“I think tonight our guys just wanted to bring it for the seniors,” first-year Glendale Coach Ib Belou said. “We have three tremendous young men and they played a hell of a game. I couldn’t be prouder of our seniors, especially Daniel Gonzalez.”
Glendale made 11 of 25 three-point tries in shooting 44%, led by Gonzalez. The senior forward was six for 11 from behind the arc and paced his squad with 24 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
“I don’t really know why we shot so well, but we started making some shots and our confidence went up,” Gonzalez said. “It felt great to play here. The energy was way up. It’s a great way to finish.”
It seemed that whenever Hoover pulled close to Glendale, Gonzalez acted as a buffer.
The Tornadoes trailed, 29-20, with 4:04 left in the second quarter after a jumper from senior Alec Pirijanian, who led Hoover with 19 points.
Gonzalez responded with a triple followed by a pair of free throws, as Glendale suddenly led, 34-20, with 1:59 before the half.
The dagger might have come on the final scoring possession of the quarter, though. Glendale junior center Daniel Madden, who added 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists, connected on an and-one field goal and free throw to give the Nitros a 37-20 lead at the break.
From that point forward, the Tornadoes struggled to stay competitive up until the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.
While Hoover pulled within 39-27 on a layup from sophomore Angel Mino (10 points and six rebounds) with 5:14 left in the third, Glendale answered right back with a 12-1 run culminated on a three-pointer from Gonzalez with 1:53 left. The bucket put the Nitros ahead, 51-28.
Glendale’s biggest lead came off a three-pointer from sophomore Alexis Ramos with 7:36 left in the fourth quarter as the Nitros led, 56-32.
To its credit, Hoover battled back and climbed within 67-55 after a three-pointer from senior Rene Deravanesian with 1:41 left.
The comeback effort, however, lacked time, as Glendale closed out with a 12-point victory.
“Glendale was hot, but we didn’t play good enough defense to challenge them and deny them shots,” Hoover Coach Jack Van Patten said. “They shot the ball well, real well, and I think they defended us better than we thought they would.”
Sophomore Carino Larrenz added 12 points for Glendale, while junior Josh Francisco contributed 12 points for Hoover.
“It’s nice to end with a victory,” Belou said. “This is something to build upon for the guys coming back next year. It was a tough year, but a great finish.”
