Falcons tear apart Eagles

TEMPLE CITY — In the 10th contest of the season, the Crescenta Valley High boys’ basketball team seemingly put together a complete game.

It’s something Crescenta Valley Coach Shawn Zargarian had hoped to see before the start of Pacific League competition next month. He was encouraged after what he saw Monday night.

“I liked everything about our team,” Zargarian said after Crescenta Valley coasted to a 75-34 victory against Gabrielino in an opening-round game of the La Salle/Temple City Holiday Basketball Classic at Temple City High. “I liked our defensive energy and the way our offense moved the ball.

“We are trying to get it all together.”

The Falcons (7-3) certainly accomplished that Monday night and will look to repeat it against La Cañada or L.A. Marshall in a winner’s-bracket contest at 7:30 p.m. today.

The Falcons, who last played Wednesday in the 11th-place game of the San Fernando Valley Invitational, limited the Eagles (7-3) to six second-quarter points to grab a 37-17 halftime lead.

Throughout most of the second quarter, Crescenta Valley forced Gabrielino into taking myriad off-balance shots, some of which never hit the rim.

“The defense had energy and they communicated well,” said Zargarian, who received 16 points and 10 rebounds from junior center Christian Misi and 11 points from junior guard Dylan Kilgour. “I want to see or defense get more consistent.”

The Falcons, who led, 18-11, after the first quarter, got nine rebounds from junior forward Davis Dragovich and seven points apiece from senior guard Chris Chemlkeian, senior guard Oshin Mahmoodian and senior forward Daniel Goldsworthy.

The Falcons competed without starting sophomore guard Cole Currie. Zargarian said Currie lost two teeth and needed about 40 stitches to sew up cuts around his lip and chin after a recent weightlifting accident.

Zargarian said Currie will likely not participate in the tournament, which will conclude Thursday.