Pioneers remain in first
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Providence 63, Buckley 15: The Pioneers stayed in first place in the Liberty League with an easy victory Saturday at home.
Providence, the defending league champion, improved to 4-0 (15-5 overall) in league with the win.
The Pioneers dominated the game from the outset, outscoring the Griffins, 23-2, in the first quarter. Providence had a 41-9 advantage at the half.
The defense kept up the pressure in the third quarter, as the Pioneers outscored their foe, 14-1, in the third quarter.
Rita Khatchadourian paced Providence with 16 points. Teammate Bea Benedicto added 12 points and Catherine Saint and Amber Bartmus scored eight points each.
Burbank 45, Arcadia 28: Damarie Gonzalez stepped up to score 15 points Friday to pace the Bulldogs to the Pacific League win at home.
Evelyn Abrami added 10 points for Burbank (12-6, 4-1).
Burroughs 39 Glendale 29: Lisha Elsenbach scored 15 points and Chelsea Rhamdeow added 12 points and five rebounds Friday to lead the Indians to a Pacific League win against the host Nitros.
Aysia Shellmire had six points 10 rebounds and three blocks in the victory.
Burroughs 54 Arcadia 46: The Indians were able to notch the home Pacific League win Jan. 12 at home.
Lisha Elsenbach had 17 points, 12 rebounds and four assists, Aysia Shellmire had 13 points, 12 rebounds and three steals, Shannon Kermah had nine points and five rebounds and Justice Shank added eight points and six rebounds for Burroughs.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Bellarmine-Jefferson 40, Verbum Dei 40: The Guards jumped to an early lead Friday and rolled to a win in the Santa Fe League opener on the road.
Bell-Jeff (6-11) held a 28-15 lead at the half.
Micah Shirley had a fine game for the Guards, scoring 14 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Teammate Connor Linquist added 10 points and Brandon White chipped in with nine points and nine rebounds.
Glendale 66, Burroughs 61: The Indians (2-16, 0-5) came close to winning their first Pacific League game Friday, but ended up losing to the host Nitros.
Burbank 53, Arcadia 42: The Bulldogs won their third straight Pacific League game in a row Friday, earning the home victory.
Burbank (12-6, 3-2) jumped to a 22-8 lead after the first quarter.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Burroughs 1, Arcadia 0: Burroughs moved into first place in the Pacific League with a big victory Friday at Arcadia.
Those close to the Burroughs program can’t remember the last time the Indians defeated the Apaches.
The Indians scored in the 71st minute on a penalty kick by Haley O’Brien. The penalty kick was awarded when O’Brien was grabbed around the neck and dropped to the ground on a corner kick by Tatiana Rizzotti.
The Burroughs defense stepped up, as it allowed just one goal in its first five league games. The defense was led by defenders O’Brien, Halley White, Brooke Hazzard, Ashley Caro, Alexis Mendias and goalie Tatiana “Tats” Sanchez.
Center midfielder Daniela Salinas had a solid game, as well, and was supported in the midfield by Riley Garden, Rizzotti, and Ashley Caro.
BOYS’ SOCCER
Burroughs 9, Hoover 0: The Burroughs offense stepped up and the defense clamped down Friday in leading the team to a Pacific League win against the Tornadoes at Luther Burbank Middle School.
Alex Escalante had two goals and Sam Oliva, Eddie Alvarez, Joan Alvarez, Steven Munoz, Manny Celio, Kevin Mundo and Mauricio Cortes each had goals for the Indians.
Burroughs 3, Arcadia 1: Manuel Celio tallied two goals and Joan Alvarez added a goal for the Indians on Jan. 12 in a Pacific League victory at Arcadia.