Pasadena Takes a Bite Out of LC Boys’ JV Cagers

Despite a tremendous effort to keep the contest close, the La Cañada boys’ junior varsity basketball team fell to Pasadena, 50-38, in nonleague action last Friday.

The Spartans traveled to West Ranch on Monday for a nonleague game, but results were not available at press time.

La Cañada will participate in the Calabasas High Tournament next Monday through Thursday.

Against the Bulldogs, the Spartans dropped another hard fought nail biter. Early in the first quarter, it appeared like the Spartans were going to be in for a long game, but a great display of ball handling by James Shimoda and Will Omakawa helped to contain Pasadena to just four points in the second quarter.

This effort put La Cañada only two points behind, 25-23, at the half. The Spartans managed to tie the contest, 32-32, in the third quarter. Unfortunately, the intense Bulldogs’ defense finally worn down the Spartans in the fourth quarter and allowed them to pull away for a 50-38 victory.

Joe Robinson led the Spartans with 12 points. He was followed by Steven Johnson with 10 points and Omakawa with seven points.

Other scorers were Michael Mikuni, Ryan Lew and Will Baldwin with four, three and two points, respectively.

In an earlier nonleague tussle on Dec. 13, host Pasadena La Salle squeaked by La Cañada, 44-41.

At the start of the second half, the Spartans were down, 28-15. La Cañada coaches Dan Neiman and Andrew Watson rallied the players to come back in the third quarter, slashing the deficit to only eight points.

But, that wasn’t enough as the Lancers held on to win in the last second.

Several Spartans had outstanding games, including Robinson with 14 points and Baldwin and Mercury Mellor with six points apiece.

Also scoring three points each were Johnson, Mikuni and Ryan Lipscomb.