Glendale High boys’ basketball downs Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in summer action
GLENDALE — Though he’s pleased with the way his team has begun summer competition, Glendale High boys’ basketball Coach Steve Snodgress said additional improvement can be made.
“We are playing a lot more games this summer than we have in the past,” Snodgress said after host Glendale posted a 57-44 victory against Sherman Oaks Notre Dame on Thursday afternoon in a Burbank Summer League contest. “We are 5-1 so far, but there are things that we still need to work on.
“We have a core of about five or six people who will be in the mix. We are looking for others to join them and give us some more depth.”
PHOTOS: Glendale posts 57-44 victory over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame
A candidate might be sophomore forward Argam Aghajani.
Aghajani finished with seven points and four rebounds to spark the Nitros past the Knights after tasting some success at the annual Glendale College Classic last week.
“I’m not nervous anymore,” said Aghajani, who made a three-pointer to give Glendale a 19-10 advantage with 11:35 remaining in the first half. “I like the way I’ve been able to rebound, but I’m just looking to get better with my ball handling and playing defense.”
The Nitros finished 8-19, 3-11 in the Pacific League and didn’t qualify for the playoffs last season after appearing in the postseason in 2013.
Snodgress wouldn’t mind Aghajani being a part of the puzzle for the Nitros next season.
“He’s been that one surprise for us so far in the summer,” Snodgress said. “In the tournament at GCC, he really helped us out and he plays good defense.
“I’m very happy with Argam and the way he’s been playing. Right now it’s not about the wins and losses. It’s more about finding some more people to join our top six and can they develop?”
Among those who will return next season is senior forward Alex Miralis.
Miralis finished with eight points against Notre Dame, which competes in the Mission League. Miralis, who received all-league honorable mention last season, made a long jump shot to give the Nitros a 53-34 lead with 3:33 remaining in the second half.
Glendale jumped out to a 9-0 lead on a layup by Eric Kirakosian with 17:50 to go in the first half. Kirakosian then converted on another layup to give Glendale a 35-22 lead with 35 seconds left in the first half.
Raffi Jivalagian made a pair of three-pointers in the first half. Jivalagian connected on his first long-distance shot to give his team a 30-17 advantage with 5:03 to go before making another three-pointer to extend Glendale’s lead to 33-19 with 2:24 left.
The Nitros held a 35-24 halftime lead.
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Follow Charles Rich on Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich .
