Bulldogs Lose to Indians in Girls Basketball

Burbank has no answer


GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: Burroughs jumps out to an early lead and rolls to 43-25 league victory against host Burbank.


By Jeff Tully, Burbank Leader
January 23, 2010


BURBANK HIGH — Burroughs High girls’ basketball Coach Vickey Oganyan didn’t want her team to get caught up in the hype and emotion that goes along with playing against Burbank. Instead, the coach wanted her Indians to treat Friday’s contest like any other game, and not get drawn into the cross-town rivalry drama. The approach seemed to work, as Burroughs jumped out to an early lead and was able to coast to a 43-25 Pacific League victory at Burbank High.

“When we were preparing for this game, we treated it like just another game,” Oganyan said. “We looked at it as if we had to get ready for the next opponent, and it just happened to be Burbank.“I didn’t want them to get caught up too much in the whole rivalry thing.”

Burroughs (13-7, 5-2 in league) hounded Burbank with pressure defense that seemed to rattle the Bulldogs at times. That defense, coupled with Burbank struggling with its shooting from the floor, kept the Indians in control most of the evening.The defense, along with ball-handling woes by the Bulldogs (8-14, 3-4), led to 29 Burbank turnovers.“That is the way that we play; that’s our game, to play tight defense,” Oganyan said “When our offense is having problems, we rely on it to hopefully help us out. I though the defense played really well [Friday].”

Burroughs received a fine game from senior Erika Rivera, who led all scorers with 13 points. She also had eight rebounds and three blocks.The Indians were also able to get a spark off the bench from junior Chelsea Rhamdeow, who poured in 13 points.“[Rhamdeow] had been playing well for us the last four games or so,” Oganyan said. “It’s nice when she can come off the bench and give us a spark like she did.” Rhamdeow got the Indians going in the first quarter, scoring six points to give her squad a 12-4 lead. The Bulldogs made just two shots from the field in the first quarter, going two for 12 in the stanza. It was Burroughs’ chance to struggle from the floor in the second quarter, as the team converted just three of its 15 shots. However, Burbank was also only able to make two shots from the field, and the Indians were able to enjoy a 19-11 lead at the half.

Burbank wasn’t able to generate much offense. In fact, it’s starting five combined for just 13 points.Ariane Sadanaga was Burbank’s high scorer with six points off the bench.The Indians kept their press on throughout the second half, and it paid dividends in the third quarter. Burbank committed 11 turnovers and scored just five points. Burroughs increased its lead to 31-16 after three quarters.“I hope we can continue to play like this,” Oganyan said. “We just need to stay consistent.”


The fourth quarter was much of the same for the two squads, with Burbank trying to make up some ground, but not being successful.The teams will meet for their second rivalry meeting Feb. 11 at Burroughs High in a Pacific League finale for both squads.