Win gives Bulldog second in league

ARCADIA — If there is one thing the New York Giants’ miraculous run proved, it’s not how you start a season, it’s how you finish it. So, for Burbank High girls’ basketball Coach Bruce Breeden, his team’s four-game winning streak could not have come at a better time.

The Bulldogs displayed a balanced offensive attack and a suffocating defense, and as a result, cruised to a 38-22 Pacific League road victory against Arcadia on Tuesday night.

With the win, Burbank (16-10, 10-3 in league) clinched the No. 2 spot in the Pacific League. Arcadia, (15-8, 8-5) will grab the third seed.

“There was a lot on the line tonight,” said Breeden, who acknowledged an Apache victory would have put the two teams in a dead heat going into their final game. “[Arcadia] have played scrappy all year, but I felt like we did the things we needed to do to win, and executed really well today.”

There was very little offense to start the game, with both teams combining to score just 10 points in the first eight minutes. The second quarter, however, was a different story for the Bulldogs, as the team started knocking down some shots and built a 12-point lead going into half-time.

The leading scorer for the Bulldogs was junior Courtney Seidler, who had a game-high 13 points to go along with nine rebounds.

Burbank senior captain Sylvia Granados added 10 points of her own, but it was her defense that Breeden was most impressed with, particularly her ability to stay in front of Arcadia’s top scorer, junior Melody Chang.

“She [Granados] did just an outstanding job,” Breeden said of his player, who also tallied four steals and dished out five assists. “She really wore her [Chang] down on defense then was unbelievable running our offense and hitting a couple threes.

“[Granados] was our MVP tonight, she did an awesome job.”

The Arcadia offense was lead by Chang, who scored 10 points, but was constantly under pressure and had nearly every shot contested. Senior Heather Young also added 10 points for the Apaches.

Breeden likes the way his team is playing as they head into their final game Thursday against cross-town rival Burroughs. He did however admit that in order to do well in the playoffs, there is still some work to be done.

“I’m pleased. I think we need a little more consistency scoring, but I think we’re ready,” Breeden said. “We got to get through Thursday and see who we draw in the playoffs, and then rock and roll.”