Eskandari makes her point in new role

Charles Rich

PASADENA -- A hunch might have paid huge dividends.

The matchups hadn’t favored her often, so Hoover High girls’

basketball player Arsineh Eskandari was moved from shooting to point

guard last month to boost her offensive creativity.

Eskandari helped resuscitate Hoover on Friday night as she scored a

game-high 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Tornadoes to a

48-37 Pacific League road victory against Pasadena.

The senior hadn’t played a full game at point guard until Hoover Coach

Jack Van Patten inserted Eskandari into the new role during a contest

against Louisville in the Bellarmire-Jefferson Christmas Classic on Dec.

29.

Just call it a late Christmas present for the Tornadoes (4-10, 1-1 in

league).

“Her guard production was down,” Van Patten said. “I made the move

because of certain matchups and it would open (guard) Margie Garcia for

shots. Eskandari came through tonight.”

Eskandari, who entered Friday’s contest averaging 15.5 points per

game, took control against Pasadena (5-9, 0-2 in league) and registered

four assists.

Eskandari said she hadn’t visioned Van Patten making the personnel

switch.

“I think there’s more pressure playing point guard because you have to

lead the players,” Eskandari said. “So I like it because it makes me feel

like a true leader. You can control the game, too.”

Van Patten said Hoover played its best defense Friday since the

Louisville game.

“We made them shoot and we cut off their penetration,” Van Patten

said. “When we rebound, we’re fine.”

Eskandari received some offensive support from guard Ani Arutyunyan,

who scored 13 points and added four assists.

Eskandari made a three-point basket to give the Tornadoes a 37-31 lead

with 1:17 left in the third quarter. She scored seven third-quarter

points and helped Hoover stay in contention for a possible playoff berth

with eight regular-season games remaining.

BOX SCORE

Hoover*9*14*18*7*--*48

Pasadena*10*14*8*5*--*37

HOOVER -- Eskandari 17, 10 rebounds and 4 assists, Arutyunyan 13 and 4

assists, Gregorian 8, Mahdessian 6, Garcia 2, Orue 2.

Three-pointers: Eskandari.

PASADENA -- Henry 9, 5 assists and 5 steals, Kegley 9 and 7 rebounds,

Peterson 8, Vine 6, Tucker 3, Pulley 2.

Three-pointers: Henry, Peterson.