Burroughs girls’ basketball has problems with defense in loss to Harvard-Westlake

BURBANK — The Burroughs High girls’ basketball team had no problem scoring against Harvard-Westlake on Friday in a consolation game of its own Burroughs Magnolia Park Optimist Tournament.

In fact, the Indians tallied 63 points.

However, as shots were falling for Burroughs on offense, the defense had its problems containing the Wolverines.

Despite their defense woes, the Indians had a lead with just more than three minutes remaining in the game. But a poor defensive showing in the final few minutes, coupled with scoring woes, ultimately led to a 76-63 loss to Harvard-Westlake at Burroughs High.

“We just weren’t here to play defense today,” said Burroughs Coach Vicky Oganyan, whose team slipped to 5-3. “We gave up 76 points, that says it all.

“I think that both of our teams are basically the same, talent-wise. But we gave up 76 points and that never happens. Teams that are way better than us, yes, they pound us and score 80 or whatever. But a team that is like us … we shouldn’t be giving up that many points.”

The Indians were scheduled to finish up their tournament Saturday with a game against cross-town rival Burbank. But since the teams will face one another twice during Pacific League play, Oganyan changed up the schedule. Burroughs will now face Agoura in a 3 p.m. game and the Bulldogs will take on Harvard-Westlake at 4:30 in the consolation bracket.

Burroughs was forced into the consolation round after losing to Canyon Country Canyon, 40-38, on a shot at the buzzer Thursday in the quarterfinal round.

The Indians came out and struggled at times during the first half Friday, allowing the Wolverines (4-1) to maintain a lead almost throughout the first two quarters.

But Burroughs picked up its game in the second half, mainly on the play of Davina Del Castillo. The junior finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and three blocks.

Burroughs narrowed the Harvard-Westlake lead down to one point three times early in the fourth, but couldn’t surge in front. The Indians were finally able to break out in front, 60-58, with 3:43 left on a driving layup by Delaney Nicol.

After the Wolverines grabbed back the lead, 61-60, on a bucket by Lindsey Tse, who got her own rebound on the play, the Indians came right back and went in front, 62-61, with 3:06 remaining after Sidney Ortega converted two free throws.

“We talked about how we were going to come back and play after losing like we did [Thursday] night,” Oganyan said. “But the defensive effort just wasn’t there. We gave up just too many easy layups.”

After taking the lead, the Burroughs offense endured a horrendous final three minutes, as it was outscored, 15-1, down the stretch.

Things didn’t look good for Burroughs out of the gate, as it converted five of 16 shots in the first quarter, and as a result, fell behind, 23-15.

Burroughs played better in the second quarter, outscoring Harvard-Westlake, 21-16, to trail by just three at halftime, 39-36.

The Indians were able to grab their first lead, 43-41, since beginning the game with a 3-0 spurt, with under six minutes left in the third quarter after Del Castillo stole the ball and went coast to coast for an easy layup. But the Wolverines came back, regained the lead and ended the third with a 53-50 cushion.