Baker Is Top Gun as Burbank Shoots Down Burroughs, 74-72

A screaming, cheering, jeering, standing-room-only crowd turned the Burbank High gym, which resembles a World War I airport hangar with its wood-beamed oval roof, into a war zone Friday night.

While opposing pilots Matt Baker and Jorge Sotomayor shot with flying-ace precision, Burbank gunned down Foothill League and cross-town rival Burroughs, 74-72.

Baker scored 27 points for Burbank (10-9, 3-2 in league play), making six of eight shots from three-point range.

Sotomayor scored 25 for Burroughs (11-8, 2-3), making six of 10 three-point shots.

Burroughs got to within 71-70 as Sotomayor, guarded closely, made two three-pointers in the final 42 seconds.

But Baker had the final say, making two free throws that gave the Bulldogs a 73-70 lead with 12 seconds left.

“It was great to come back and play well here and in front of all my friends,” said Sotomayor, who transferred from Burbank to Burroughs last year.

Baker was unfazed by the playoff atmosphere and the pandemonium.

“Beating Burroughs is nice,” said Baker, whose Bulldogs were league favorites but started 0-2. “But a league win is more gratifying at this point.”

Burbank made 53% of its shots while Burroughs sank 40%.

The Indians almost made up the difference from the line, making 19 of 28 free throws.

Burbank’s Juni Williams and Burroughs’ J.K. Scott, who added nine rebounds, each had 18 points.

Baker made four of four three-point shots as the Bulldogs jumped to a 20-14 lead after the first quarter.

The Bulldogs built the lead to 12 points late in the second quarter before Sotomayor started firing for Burroughs.

The senior guard made two jump shots, including a three-pointer, to cut the lead to 38-37 at halftime.