Krose’s Best Carries Burroughs Into First

In a matchup between the two best players in the Foothill League, Kevin Krose of Burroughs High used his quickness and outside shooting to outplay Eskias McDaniels of Valencia on Tuesday night and lift the Indians into a first-place tie.

Krose finished with 23 points and eight rebounds to help the Indians defeat Valencia, 84-64, at Burroughs.

Burroughs (13-9, 5-2 in league play) is tied with Valencia (12-11, 5-2) and Canyon (12-10, 5-2) with three games remaining.

But no team is playing better than Burroughs, which has won four consecutive games.

Krose, a 6-foot-3 senior, was just as effective on defense as he was on offense. He guarded the 6-6 McDaniels, who came in averaging 21.2 points and scored 28 points in a victory over Burroughs earlier this season. McDaniels was limited to 16 points and made only six of 18 shots.

“I knew I had to shut him down,” Krose said. “I wanted to make sure I didn’t lose this game for us. I knew I had to step up.”

Krose received plenty of support. Carlos Coronado and Brian Lee contributed 13 points apiece and Keith Jarbo, a 6-2 sophomore, had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Valencia is trying to win its first league title in five years of varsity play. The Vikings fell behind, 34-27, at halftime and were down by 18 points through three quarters.

Coach Art Sullivan of Burroughs praised the all-around skills and hustle of Krose.

“He flat out works hard,” Sullivan said. “He always gives us something of value in the game.”