Jeff TullyIt’s a season the Burroughs High...

Jeff Tully

It’s a season the Burroughs High boys’ basketball team is happy to be

continuing.

It’s also a season Burbank would probably like to put behind it.

The Indians’ 63-55 home Foothill League victory Thursday against

the cross-town rival Bulldogs earned Burroughs a spot in the CIF

Southern Section playoffs, which begin next week.

Although Burroughs (11-14, 2-8 in league) didn’t finish among the

top three teams in league, its win against Burbank gives the Indians

the required 11 victories to qualify for the postseason.

The Indians gained the win with one of its leading scorers

sidelined. Joey Paysinger -- who, along with Peter St. Hubert,

comprises the team’s one-two offensive punch -- did not play because

he was ill with flu.

In his place, Indian players Matt Jackson, Kris Jones and Daniel

Bernard stepped up to combine for 39 points.

“We knew this game was our playoff game,” said Jackson, who scored

a season-high 14 points. “It was an important game not only because

it was a rivalry, but because if we don’t win, it’s the end of our

season. We wanted to win this one bad.

“I’m just happy that our guys stepped it up, and we were able to

fill in for [Paysinger.]”

The win gives Burroughs a season sweep of its rival, as the

Indians earned an 89-49 victory Jan. 24 at Burbank.

For Burbank (0-23, 0-10) its players have had to deal with a

season of distractions and problems within the program.

The Bulldogs began with a 5-1 nonleague record, a promising start

under first-year Coach David Goosen. However, Burbank had to forfeit

five of the nonleague games after it was discovered a player

falsified enrollment documents.

Goosen was fired as coach on Jan. 24 because of incidents that

occurred during a trip to the Las Vegas Prep Championship tournament

Dec. 26 to 30.

Subsequently, the Bulldogs had to forfeit their remaining

nonleague victories.

Acting Burbank Coach Bob Kinzel said in light of the problems

they’ve had to deal with this season, he is proud of the way his

players have handled themselves.

“These kids have had to deal with things no high school player

should ever have to deal with,” said Kinzel, who has had his hands

full coaching both the junior varsity and varsity teams for 10 league

games. “It’s been really hard for them and my heart goes out to them.

“But through all of this, they have played their hearts out and

they didn’t give up in any of our games. I am just very proud of the

players and all they have had to endure.”

After being down, 50-36, after three quarters, the Bulldogs made a

push in the fourth quarter. Paced by Brandon Maskell’s three

three-pointers and 11 points in the quarter, Burbank whittled the

lead down to eight with 1:57 to go.

Maskell led all scorers with 19 points.

However, the Indians were able to counter every Bulldog challenge,

and put the game away with free throws down the stretch by Jones and

Sal Inmaung.

Along with Maskell’s fine long-range shooting, Burbank also

received good efforts from Hakop Sogoyan (16 points and two

three-pointers) and Jon Ballas (nine points and 12 rebounds).

For Burroughs, Jones had 13 points and 14 rebounds, Bernard had

12 points and St. Hubert added 10 points and 10 rebounds.

*--*

BOX SCORE

*--*

*--*

Burbank 14 13 9 19 -- 55

Burroughs 17 16 17 13 -- 63

*--*

*--*

BURBANK

Maskell 19, Sogoyan 16, Ballas 9 and 12 rebounds, Lane 5, Rodriguez

4, Nelson 2. * Three-pointers: Maskell 3, Sogoyan 2, Lane

BURROUGHS

Jackson 14 and 8 rebounds, Jones 13 and 14 rebounds, Bernard 12, St.

Hubert 10 and 10 rebounds, Inmaung 7, Adams 4, Radino 3. *

Three-pointers: Jackson 2, Bernard 2, Inmaung, Radino

*--*