Burbank Wins on Chavez’s Late Jumper

Schurr High got out of the Doghouse Friday night and back into the Foothill basketball race.

The Spartans (10-7, 2-1 in league) defeated Burbank, 58-56, on Paul Chavez’s off-balance 6-foot jumper with two seconds left in the game.

It was Schurr’s first win in four years at the Burbank gymnasium, affectionately called the “Doghouse” by the Bulldog faithful.

After three straight lopsided defeats at Burbank, Schurr Coach Tom Thompson wasn’t about to celebrate the victory until the final buzzer.

But Bryan Chandler’s desperation shot from back court glanced off the backboard as time ran out, clinching the Spartan victory.

“The way my luck’s gone here, I wouldn’t have bet the mortgage on winning. We were fortunate,” Thompson said.

Indeed, Schurr has to battle back from a 10-point, third-period deficit to have a shot at winning. The Spartans got back into the game by shutting down Chandler and turning loose Chavez.

Chandler scored 15 points in the first half but got off only six shots in the final two periods.

“We went to straight man defense,” Thompson said, “I think Chandler got frustrated.”

Chavez scored six of the Spartans’ final eight points in the third quarter, and Schurr went on a 6-0 run to pull within 49-43 after three periods.

The Spartans finally caught and passed the Bulldogs with 3:44 to play, John Hotta’s two free throws giving Schurr a 53-52 lead. A free throw by Chavez made it 54-52, but Burbnank tied it at 54 on two Chris Buck free throws with 1:51 to play.

Spartan guard Butch LeNoue buried a long jumper to put Schurr ahead, 56-54, but Chandler tied it up with a rebound basket with 1:29 left.

Chandler was fouled on the play but missed the free throw. He got another chance to put the Bulldogs ahead seconds later when Chavez fouled him but missed the front end of a one-and-one situation.

Schurr worked for the final shot and Chavez sunk it in heavy traffic along the base line.

Chavez and LeNoue both finished with 20 points and Manny Rios scored 10.

Chandler led Burbank (11-6, 2-1) with 22 points but had just seven in the second half, only three in the fourth quarter. Buck chipped in with 15 and guard Abe Velasco added 13.