Second-place league finish for locals, 22-2

Jeff Tully

The Burbank High boys’ water polo team had more to play for Friday

than city bragging rights against Burroughs in an Almont League

match.

The Bulldogs were fighting for a second-place league finish, and

possibly a home contest for the first round of the CIF Southern

Section Division III playoffs.

Burbank took a few minutes to get going, but once it did, the host

Bulldogs completely dominated the Indians in a 22-2 win at Burroughs.

“Finishing second in this league is a very good accomplishment,”

said third-year Burbank Coach Andre Setaghian, whose team is league

runner-up to Montebello.

“We are hoping that by finishing second, we will get a favorable

draw for the playoffs.

“These players are really looking forward to the playoffs. They

are hungry to get some wins in the playoffs.”

Last season, Burbank fell in the first round of the playoffs to

host Santa Monica, 10-8.

If the Burbank (15-7, 8-2 in league) defense plays as well as it

did against Burroughs it should have success in the postseason.

After the Indians (5-15, 2-8) scored their second goal with 3:34

remaining in the first quarter to trail, 3-2, the Bulldog defense

clamped down. Burbank didn’t allow Burroughs another goal, shutting

down for more than three quarters and a span of 24 minutes 34

seconds.

Burbank was led by Art Zagharyan and Edgar Gasparyan, who had five

goals each. Ben Lees and Eric Davis added four goals each.

Burroughs’ goals were scored by Rick Sabakvarro and Alan

Mengarrez.

Burbank finishes second in league after placing third last season

and fourth in 2001.

“And I played on the team the year before that and we finished

fourth,” Setaghian said. “So this program has come a long way.

“We want to continue to build on what we have started.”