HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: BURBANK / HOOVER TOURNAMENT : Zargarian Shines for Crescenta Valley

Shawn Zargarian stood at the free-throw line with four seconds to play in the final of the Burbank-Hoover tournament, heavy with the realization he had not made a free throw this season.

Zargarian had been 0 for 6, but with his Crescenta Valley High team trailing by one point, he made two shots to lift the Falcons to a 56-55 victory over Eagle Rock on Friday night.

Before the free throws, Eagle Rock point guard Ben Hoang approached Zargarian and talked some trash.

Zargarian pushed Hoang away, and calmly made the shots.

“They felt good off the release,” said Zargarian, whose point total consisted of the two clutch free throws.

“Everybody just had confidence in me and I did it.”

Crescenta Valley’s starting lineup averages almost 6 feet 5. But the Falcons were almost undone by the 5-7 Hoang, who finished with 28 points for Eagle Rock (2-1).

Crescenta Valley blew an 11-point third-quarter lead and Cary Adams scored on a short jump shot to put Eagle Rock ahead by one with 25 seconds to play.

On Crescenta Valley’s final possession the Falcons managed two shots before Zargarian was fouled on a putback.

“I’m glad for Zargarian, that he was able to hit those free throws,” Crescenta Valley Coach John Goffredo said.

Hoang, who scored 62 points in Eagle Rock’s last two tournament games, credited Crescenta Valley’s defense.

“They took up a lot of space,” Hoang said.

Crescenta Valley (3-0) countered with a balanced attack, receiving 18 points from both Blake Jacobson and Nathan Sinning.

And Zargarian improved to 2-8 from the free-throw line.

Monroe 77, Burbank 75--Shaka Stiner scored 21 points off the bench and helped Monroe to a third-place finish.

Monroe trailed Burbank, 38-31, at halftime but erupted for 27 points in the third quarter. Stiner, who entered in the second quarter, keyed the run by hitting three three-pointers.

Tim Johnson added 15 points for Monroe (2-1) and Matt Baker led Burbank (1-2) with 23 points.

St. Francis 69, Burroughs 66--Ted Steben made eight three-pointers and finished with 28 points to lead St. Francis (2-1) in the consolation final.

Scott Boldvich led Burroughs (1-2) with 17 points.

Hoover 65, Marshall 47--Danny Clarke’s 19 points paced Hoover (1-2) in the seventh-place game.