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
*--*
