Muir Gets Caught in Hoover’s Vacuum

Another victory in the Pacific.

If an upset of Crescenta Valley High last Friday night wasn’t enough, Hoover toppled another Pacific League boys’ basketball power Tuesday.

This time, the Tornadoes notched a come-from-way-behind 77-76 victory at Muir.

Contributions came from everywhere.

Hoover’s “Hit Squad,” the second-string unit, filled in admirably in the second quarter for an ineffective starting crew.

Guards Eric Jenkins and Arbi Baghdasarian combined for six three-point baskets in the second half.

And Hoover’s half-court trap helped force 18 turnovers after its installation in the second quarter.

It all added up to the Tornadoes’ first victory over Muir (11-8, 1-1 in league play) since 1984.

“I’m shocked,” said Jenkins, who had 17 points and seven assists for Hoover (9-7, 2-0).

Baghdasarian, who scored 20 points, hit four three-pointers, including one that gave Hoover a 70-65 lead with 4 minutes 36 seconds left.

The Mustangs pulled to within 77-75 with 37 seconds left when Rick Maiden, who had 22 points, threw down his third dunk, but Quincy Stinson made just one of two free throws for Muir with nine seconds left.

Hoover gave the Mustangs a chance to win when Andy Russell was fouled and missed a free throw with six seconds left. But Muir couldn’t convert when Darris Brown lost the ball on a drive.

Almost bigger than the victory was the deficit Hoover overcame.

The Tornadoes made five of 20 shots in the first quarter and trailed, 38-22, late in the first half.

But Hoover Coach Kirt Kohlmeier inserted his second unit, which began the deficit reduction.

Led by backup guard Martin Avanessian, the Tornadoes clipped Muir’s lead to 42-32 at halftime.

“They changed the complexion of the game,” Kohlmeier said.

“We’re supposed to get [the starters] up, get ‘em going, get ‘em excited,” said Avanessian, who scored all nine of his points in the second quarter. “That’s our role.”

Hoover’s starters got into the act after halftime, outscoring the Mustangs, 22-16, in the third quarter and closing to 58-54.

Russell’s layup with just under five minutes left put Hoover ahead to stay, 67-65.

The half-court trap, run effectively by the reserves, continued to force turnovers.

The retired jerseys of former Muir stars Stacey Augmon (Atlanta Hawks) and Jacque Vaughn (Kansas) may have seemed wrinkled by game’s end.

Jenkins hit a pair of three-pointers and found the open man for easy layups as the Tornadoes made 16 of 23 shots (69.6%) in the second half.