Zadourian, Nitros grab easy win
BURBANK — There are big plans in store for Kristineh Zadourian.
As one of eight seniors on the Glendale High girls’ basketball team, Zadourian will have her opportunities to lead Glendale’s offense while serving as a guard or forward.
It’s something Zadourian said she’ll relish while the Nitros look to contend for a top-three spot in the Pacific League. Zadourian showed she could take on her responsibilities Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s important that I’m ready to be able to go out there and play,” Zadourian said after she finished with a game-high 13 points to lead Glendale to an easy 45-8 victory against Canoga Park in the Magnolia Park Optimist Tournament at Burroughs High. “I have to be able to pick my spots.
“If I’m open, then I feel like I can take my shot. You take the open shot when you have it.”
Glendale (2-1) never trailed against Canoga Park (0-13) and will meet San Diego Westview in another tournament game at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. In fact, the Nitros held the Hunters scoreless throughout the second half until Jackie Delgado made a jump shot with 20 seconds left in the game to close out the scoring.
Glendale Coach Tania Adary said Zadourian, who scored all of her points in the first half, gives the Nitros several options.
“She’s getting the looks, so it’s just a matter of being able to finish,” said Adary, who got six points apiece from Ivet Satorian, Marissa Deciga and Ellin Avanesian. “She can play the one or two spot and the post.
“She needs to be our facilitator. If she can’t score, then she’s able to get the ball to somebody else. She’s got the moves to be able to pass or go to the basket. She’s strong mentally.”
Zadourian made a short jump shot to give Glendale a 6-2 lead with 3:44 left in the first quarter. Zadourian, who contributed four assists and four rebounds, converted on a layup to extend the Nitros’ advantage to 21-6 with 1:06 remaining in the second quarter.
Glendale, which opened its season with a nonleague win against Hawthorne on Dec. 12 before suffering a nonleague home defeat against Rosary on Thursday, saw the Hunters make two of 15 shots from the floor in the first quarter. The Nitros held a 13-4 lead after the first quarter and limited the Hunters to two points in the second quarter.
Erlin Keshishzadeh gave Glendale a 26-6 lead with 6:31 to play in the third quarter before Avanesian made a three-pointer to extend the lead to 31-6 midway through the third quarter.
