Pioneers defeat rival Guards

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Providence 38, Bellarmine-Jefferson 30: The Pioneers jumped to a

9-3 first-quarter lead Saturday and never looked back, earning a

nonleague victory against the Guards at Providence.

The Pioneers led at the half, 20-10.

Providence’s biggest lead was 14, but the Guards cut that to six

with 45 seconds left. However, Pioneer Annalyn Arboleda hit two free

throws to finish the scoring and seal the game.

The result could have been more lopsided for the Pioneers, as they

were just 11 of 25 from the free-throw line and missed several easy

lay-ups.

Providence was paced by Hannah Geralo, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Arboleda added seven points.

Bell-Jeff got a fine performance from Idessa Reyas, who had a

game-high 15 points, which included four three-pointers.

“We were sharp defensively, and they had a lot of trouble scoring

against us,” Pioneer Coach Andrew Bencze said.

“Reyes kept them in the game, and hit a [three-pointer] every time

we got up big to keep it close.

“Hannah Geralo and Vanessa Amran controlled the game inside for

us. Every time Bell-Jeff made a run in the second half, Hannah hit a

big shot.”

GIRLS’ WATER POLO

Burbank in El Rancho Tournament: The Bulldogs missed a chance to

capture the championship Saturday in the event.

Burbank (7-1) played host El Rancho in the title match, but lost,

9-5.

“We played really well in the first half,” Burbank Coach John

Abdou said. “But we kind of fell off in the second half.”

El Rancho is ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division III

The Bulldogs had a 4-2 lead after two quarters, but could manage

just one goal the final two quarters.

Burbank senior Catalina Casas led the team with three goals.

“Catalina was out there doing all she could,” Abdou said. “But she

didn’t get much help scoring goals.”

Casas and teammate Amy Moren were named to the all-tournament

team.

The Bulldogs had a fine showing in the tournament Friday, as they

followed up a 15-6 win against Almont League foe Bell Gardens with a

18-3 victory against cross-town rival Burroughs.

In the Bell Gardens match, Casas had six goals and teammate

Melanie Khanpapyan added six.

Casas torched the Indians for nine goals and Moren had three.

In the semifinal match, Burbank defeated Rowland, 8-3.

BOYS’ SOCCER

Burroughs in Ralph Brandt Tournament: The Indians fell in the

seventh-place match of the event Monday to Rio Mesa.

Rio Mesa won on penalty kicks after the match ended in a 2-2 tie.

In a consolation-round match Saturday, Burroughs was defeated by

Royal, 3-1.

In the championship of the event Monday, Saugus defeated El Camino

Real, 1-0.

Burroughs 3, Crescenta Valley 2: Chris Pennington scored the

winning goal with three minutes left Wednesday to give the Indians

the nonleague win.

Burbank in Ralph Brandt Tournament: The Bulldogs lost to Pasadena

Poly, 2-1, Saturday in a consolation-round match.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Burbank freshmen in inaugural Bulldog Tip-Off Classic: The

Bulldogs played for third place Saturday in their own tournament and

earned a 69-60 win against Alemany.

Burbank was led by Narek Panayan and Michael Lance, who had 15

points each. Lance was plagued by foul trouble and had to sit out

almost two quarters. Sevak Amranyan 13 points and Vareg Zakarian had

12 points.

Thursday, the Bulldogs took part in a championship semifinal game

and lost to Harvard-Westlake, 74-59.

The Bulldogs trailed at the half, 37-25. However, a strong showing

in the second quarter closed the gap to just six points.

Narek Panayan and Teo Eisghelian scored 15 points each for

Burbank. Zakarian chipped in 11 points.

In their tourney opener Tuesday, the Bulldogs defeated cross-town

rival Bellarmine- Jefferson, 73-59.

Amranyan led the way with 23 points, nine rebounds and three

assists. Lance threw in 14 points and had six rebounds and Zakarian

added nine points.

Jeff Tully