Burroughs remains standing

TORRANCE -- Less than 10 days ago, the Burroughs High boys’

basketball team wasn’t even sure if it would make the CIF Southern

Section playoffs.

However, this week, the Indians have proven not once -- but twice

-- they belong in the postseason.

Friday evening, Burroughs stunned the Pioneer League champion

Torrance Tartars, 54-50 in a Division IIA first-round match at

Torrance.

Burroughs defeated Fountain Valley Los Amigos, 79-52, in a

wild-card game on the road Wednesday to open the playoffs.

“We executed and ran things well at the most important times,”

said Burroughs Coach Art Sullivan. “We were mentally tougher.”

Because the Indians have played two away games, they will host

either Fullerton or Orange on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in a second-round

game.

Tuesday’s game will mark Burroughs’ first home playoff game in its

new gymnasium. It will also mark the first time the Indians have made

it to the second round since 1998, when it stunned previously

unbeaten Paso Robles, 63-59, to qualify for the quarterfinals.

Burroughs (13-14) never trailed against Torrance.

Torrance (18-9) tied the score at 35 in the third quarter, but

Burroughs answered the challenge.

Joey Paysinger’s jumper with 41 seconds left was the biggest play

of the game, as it gave Burroughs a 51-46 lead.

“Their crowd was very loud,” Paysinger said. It’s like a

Burbank-Burroughs game.”

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BOX SCORE

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Burroughs 20 11 10 13 -- 54

Torrance 12 10 17 11 -- 50

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*--*

BURROUGHS

Paysinger 18, 7 rebounds, St. Hubert 18, Inmaung 8, Jones 1, 9

rebounds, Radino 9. * Three-pointers: none

TORRANCE

Weary 13, May 12, Richard 6, Finney 4, Crespin 3, Major 11, Nelson 1.

* Three-pointers: May, Major, Crespin

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