Pair makes all-star squad
Bits and pieces from the local sports scene.
Burroughs’ Elsenbach, Bell-Jeff’s White will team up in contest: Burroughs High senior Lisha Elsenbach, and her senior counterpart at Bellarmine-Jefferson, Layana White, had a great deal in common this past girls’ basketball season.
The two not only helped lead their teams to respective league championships and deep runs in the CIF Southern Section playoffs, but both proved to be invaluable members of their squads.
The two will get a chance to play together as teammates in the Valley Sports Federation Battle of the Valley all-star game. The girls’ game will take place at 5 p.m. at Cal State Northridge, and will be followed by a boys’ game at 7.
Along with the games, the athletes will be honored at a banquet to be held Monday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday at Jillian’s at Universal City Walk.
Elsenbach was named the 2011 All-Area Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year, and was a first-team All-CIF Southern Section selection, as well as being named the Pacific League Player of the Year. She helped the Indians reach the Division II-A quarterfinals.
White is an all-league standout who is headed to the University of Arizona. She helped the Guards advance to the Division III-A semifinals and win a game in the state playoffs.
Burbank Raptors capture three championships: It has been a successful season for the Burbank Raptors, a team of fourth-grade basketball players.
The team began the year by winning its division in the Burbank Park, Recreation and Community Services league.
The group went on to win the San Gabriel Valley Regionals of the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation.
The squad ended an undefeated campaign last weekend by going 4-0 to take the SCMAF Open State Tournament championship.
The Raptors ended the season with a 20-0 record.
In the Open Tournament, which featured teams from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Joaquin and San Diego counties, the Raptors dominated. In the title game, Burbank rolled to a 45-27 win against Temple City.
In other games, the Raptors defeated Downey, 45-14, Los Angeles County, 37-18, and Inglewood, 23-22.
The team went 3-0 in the regional tournament.
It is the second year in a row the Raptors have made it to SCMAF play, as they placed third last season, losing only to Pasadena. The squad also went 13-0 in the local park and rec league last season.
Coached by Andrew Rife — a former Burbank High standout who is an assistant at Bellarmine-Jefferson — and Bill Holt, the team includes Bryce Whitaker, Dennis Flowers, Duncan Smith, Jalen Clark, Jonas Holt, Justin DeSales, Mikey Rumfola, Miles Englis, Nathan Mehta, Ryan Mehta and Tyrese Yussuf.
Jeff Tully