Burbank Goes Up Early, but Gets Struck Down by Hart-Burn, 58-50

The Hart High boys’ basketball team is one victory away from reclaiming the Foothill League championship that Burbank took away last year.

The Indians beat Burbank, 58-50, Tuesday night, avenging an earlier eight-point loss to the Bulldogs.

Hart (18-7, 7-2 in league play) can clinch the title with a victory over Saugus on Friday night.

The Indians forced 19 turnovers and coaxed Burbank into foul after foul after foul. The Indians marched to the line and made 24 of 36 free throws.

Burbank (13-10, 6-3), the preseason favorite, had won six league games in a row since starting 0-2.

Playing in front of a vocal home crowd, the Bulldogs jumped to a 15-4 lead and didn’t trail in the first half.

But hustling Hart simply wore down the Bulldogs.

Burbank center Don Allado fouled out in the fourth quarter with no points, and starters Matt Baker (11 points) and Tom Ngo (two) played in constant foul trouble.

Greg Church, who had 16 points, made one of four three-point shots at the end of the third quarter to give Burbank a 37-35 lead after Hart led most of the quarter.

The Indians, who made 48% of their shots, hit nine of 10 in the fourth quarter and put the game away by outscoring Burbank, 23-15.

Amir Parvinchiha had 21 points for Hart and Bryan Kirk scored 10 of his 16 in the fourth quarter.