Burroughs, Burbank High boys’ golf teams make statement at Harding

LOS ANGELES — While the Arcadia High boys’ golf team took a stranglehold lead atop the Pacific League standings at the fourth league meet at the Harding Golf Course in Griffith Park, Thursday afternoon could have also been classified as a breakout day for the Burroughs and Burbank programs.

The Indians took second with 412 points, behind Arcadia (394), but ahead of league title aspirant Crescenta Valley, which was third with 415 points, while Bulldogs sophomore Jason Apinchapong continued his strong play by tying with Arcadia senior Andrew Baek for medalist honors with a four-over 76 on the par-72 course.

PHOTOS: Pacific League golf tournament

“Our goal each match is to try and take down one of the top two teams in league, whether that’s Arcadia or Crescenta Valley,” said Burroughs Coach Greg Everhart, whose team finished third in the league’s previous three get-togethers.

“Honestly, this wasn’t our best team score, but we received some great scores from the guys in front and I’m proud of my team.”

Indians sophomore Daniel Kesicbasian paced Burroughs in shooting a 79, which was the third-best score Thursday.

“Nothing was working for me early,” Kesicbasian said. “My putting was killing me, but I was able to turn it around in my back nine and get it going.”

Kesicbasian played in the opening foursome with Baek, Glendale’s Russell Caletena and Crescenta Valley’s David Holeman and struggled in carding a 42 through the front nine.

Yet, Kesicbasian rallied with a 37 over the back nine in finishing with a 79 in his debut at Harding.

The sophomore was joined by scoring teammates Dylan McNeely (81), Louis D’ Aquila (82), Patrick Colbert (84) and Tnick Trivimol (86).

Speaking of sophomores, Apinchapong turned in back-to-back strong efforts in carding a four-over-par 76 and tying for the match-best honors a week after the Bulldogs’ golfer led the area with a two-over-par 73 at Santa Anita Golf Course.

Apinchapong’s best result was his final when the sophomore birdied the par-five 501-yard 18th hole with a 40-foot shot.

“I was trying to get the ball near the cup,” Apinchapong said. “But, I’ll definitely take it. With the fast greens and wind out there, it was hard to judge how best to shoot at times. I’ll take whatever I can get.”

Burbank finished fourth with 443 points with scores from John Grasse (87), Dylan Sherry (88), Joe Grasse (95) and Sean Lashkari (97).

Entering Thursday, it appeared Crescenta Valley was the lone threat to the Apaches, as the Falcons had won one of the previous three league matches.

Yet, Crescenta Valley misstepped, as the Falcons finished third with 415 points and now more than likely will need to win the final three league matches to topple Arcadia.

“We’ve obviously made this a lot harder on ourselves than it needs to be,” Falcons Coach Lee Pope said. “We just shot [poorly] today and it’s very, very disappointing.

“When your top player shoots a 95 that hurts your team and what you’re trying to do. All I can say now is that’s in the past and we’ve got to move on.”

Cody Renfro and Jon Hong paced the Falcons with an 80 each, while Holeman (82), Brandon Cho (83) and AJ Roa (90) rounded out Crescenta Valley’s scoring.

All-Area Player Paul Park, Crescenta Valley’s usual No. 1, finished with a 95.

“It was a just a tough day all-around,” Park said. “Nothing worked for me.”

Glendale finished fifth 452 points, led by Caletena’s 83. Dong Yoo (85) Sammy Do (90), Kent Asano (95) and Arman Aloyan (99) also scored for the Nitros.

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Follow Andrew J. Campa on Twitter: @campadresports.