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.

Falcons beat Bulldogs in Girls Basketball

CV's Ani Ebrahimian grabs a rebound as Burbank's Nia Tredwell and Damarie Gonzalez defend on Wednesday. (Roger Wilson/News-Press)

Basketball: Falcon girls race to early lead in 57-26 Pacific League win.

By Charles Rich, Glendale News Press
Published: January 20, 2010

LA CRESCENTA — The Crescenta Valley High and Burbank girls’ basketball teams were separated by the slimmest of margins entering the first of two Pacific League meetings this season. Crescenta Valley held a one-game lead over Burbank heading into Wednesday night’s contest, and looked to distance itself by getting off to a quick start. Crescenta Valley accomplished that feat en route to a convincing 57-26 home victory against Burbank.

The Falcons (15-4, 5-1 in league) used a 16-1 run to begin the game and never looked back against the struggling Bulldogs (8-10, 3-3). Crescenta Valley received a game-high 27 points from senior guard Cassie Pappas to win its third game in a row. Crescenta Valley Coach Jason Perez said the Falcons, who came in tied for second place with Pasadena behind Muir, didn’t want to focus on the standings.“We are not looking behind us,” Perez said. “We are looking ahead because we know that Muir is ahead of us and that’s the team we have got to beat.“We also knew that Burbank played Muir tough in an overtime loss. We came in up for this game.”

Crescenta Valley clicked from the start, while the Bulldogs struggled. Burbank, which came in tied for third with cross-town rival Burroughs, missed its first nine shots from the floor. The Falcons took advantage of Burbank’s shooting woes and raced to a 16-1 lead on a three-pointer by Pappas with 1:11 left in the first quarter. Burbank made one field goal in the first quarter.

Pappas, a reigning All-Area, All-CIF and all-league member, had 17 first-half points to help the Falcons build a comfortable 33-10 lead. Pappas collected 13 first-quarter points.“We weren’t taking them lightly,” said Pappas, who raised her career point total to 1,623. “We worked on our defense and different presses after we got out to the big lead.”Crescenta Valley got six points apiece from senior center Melanie Samvalian and senior forward Shayna Svihovec. Senior guard Dani Vargas chipped in with a game-high six assists.

Burbank Coach Bruce Breeden, who coached at Crescenta Valley from 2000-04, became increasingly frustrated with the Bulldogs’ struggles. He also spent most of the first half quarreling with the two officials about fouls against his team. Breeden, who picked up a technical foul at halftime, declined comment following the contest. Pappas made both free technical free throws to begin the third quarter.

Burbank, which lost its second consecutive contest, received a team-best 10 points and four assists from junior guard Evelyn Abrami. Sophomore forward Damarie Gonzalez added nine points.The teams will meet again at 5 p.m. Feb. 9 at Burbank.

Burbank High Girls Basketball Preview

BURBANK

The Bulldogs (15-13 and tied for third in league) will look vastly different from the squad that took the floor last season.“We lost a whole lot of talent from last year,” Burbank Coach Bruce Breeden said. “They were some of our top scorers.“We are going to be young this season. On top of that, we are going to be inexperienced. I’m just hoping we will be able to come together by the time we hit league.”The Bulldogs lost standouts Kristin Crawford (10.8 points, 3.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 2.5 steals) and Katie Nelson (10.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals), among others, to graduation.

One of the players the team did return is sophomore guard Damarie Gonzalez, whom Breeden said “has improved since last season.”Also returning are junior point guard Evelyn Abrami and junior shooting guard Lea Andriasian. Sophomore shooting guard Ariane Sadanaga could also see her share of playing time.

Two freshmen whom Breeden has high hopes for are forwards Lysette Perez and Courtney Seidler.“We have about five girls on our bench who will see a lot of playing time,” Breeden said. “We have been really competitive in practice and the girls have been pushing one another. The starters know if they don’t get the job done, there are girls who are ready to take their place.

”Despite having a young squad, Breeden said he thinks his group will be able to make it to the postseason. In league play, he expects Crescenta Valley and Muir to be the most competitive opponents. “And us and Burroughs will probably be battling it out like always,” Breeden said.

Burbank Takes Tourament Again

Burbank takes tournament again

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: Bulldogs hit their free throws against Whittier Christian in securing San Marino championship.
By Jeff Tully

Published:Tuesday, December 9, 2008, Burbank Leader

BURBANK — Like all basketball coaches, Burbank High’s Bruce Breeden stresses the importance of making free throws.His Bulldogs girls’ squad learned that lesson first hand Saturday in the championship game of the San Marino Tournament.

Burbank converted 10 of its 11 free throws in the fourth quarter and 21 of 26 in the game to defeat Whittier Christian, 49-33.It is the second straight season the Bulldogs (4-0) have won the tournament title.“You can see how important making your free throws is,” Breeden said. “I really didn’t realize that we made that many of our free throws in the game until I added them up.

”The Bulldogs received some fine efforts from its players throughout the tourney. Katie Nelson was named the event’s most valuable player, while teammate Kristin Crawford was an all-tournament selection.

In the title game, Burbank was paced by Nelson, who scored 13 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Teammate Tiffany DeRamus poured in 12 points and Crawford had six points and seven assists.“What is great about our play is that we had a different player, or different players, step up for us every game in the tournament,” Breeden said. “We even got great play from some of our backup players.“We really don’t have that one dominant player this season, but we have a good group of talented players.”Things were tight in the early going between the teams in the championship game.

Burbank trailed by two points after three quarters.The big push for the Bulldogs came in the fourth quarter, when their defense stepped up and outscored the Heralds, 30-16.“I told the girls before the game that we needed to be aggressive,” Breeden said. “I think that helped us a lot, especially in that fourth quarter.”Burbank does not play this week but will be competing next week in the Magnolia Park Optimist Tournament at Burroughs High.

Breeden said he thinks his team’s fine start should benefit it in the long run.“I do think it’s good for us, and good for the program,” he said. “Everything we do in the preseason is to get us ready for league. League is what’s more important for us.”Burbank — which tied for second place last season — opens Pacific League play Jan. 7 against Hoover.