Tag Archives: Burbank

Ferguson Admits to Campaign Worker Stealing Lawn Signs

After the BurbankNBeyond exclusive report of campaign signs being stolen from a business on Magnolia, an email was sent to BurbankNBeyond by Burbank School Board candidate Steve Ferguson taking responsibility for a campaign worker who can be seen in the video removing signs for fellow candidate Charlene Tabet.

video of signs being removed  sign theft video

While Ferguson admits to the person working on his campaign, the candidate says he had no knowledge of his actions and does not condone the action in any way.  Attempts to contact Ferguson were not returned and the person allegedly involved was not identified.

The letter sent to Talbot from Ferguson is below.

Dear Charlene,

It has recently come to my attention on Burbank ‘N’ Beyond that some of your signs were taken from some of your supporters. After reviewing the tape, I immediately recognized the individual as one of my own campaign volunteers.
I cannot express how sorry I am for this incident. Please know that I honestly did not ask for or condone this action as I too have had signs taken and know of both the personal pain and frustration that comes with missing signs.
I take full responsibility for my volunteer’s action and I would like to ask for you to send me a list of all the  properties with missing signs. Not only will I replace them but I will also personally apologize for the conduct of my volunteer to every household impacted.
This is not what my campaign is about and I certainly know this is not what your campaign is about either. I have asked that this volunteer mail you an apology and I can only hope that we continue to move forward as we discuss the future of education in this community that both you and I cherish.
Sincerely,
Steve Ferguson
UPDATED Feb 14 – 3:30 pm
Steve Ferguson was reached by phone to reiterate that the worker, who is a volunteer, had no authorization for his actions and he was willing to replace any sign that the worker had taken.  As for the workers status, Ferguson replied that his role has been greatly diminished and that he will be closely watched in all further campaign activities from this point forward.  He also commented on the fact that many of his signs have been taken in the past – not as an excuse for this incident – and that the entire campaign sign handling day in and day out ‘has been a real headache’ .
Charlene Tabet has also issued a statement that was sent to BurbankNBeyond and it is listed below:
Steven,

Thank you for your letter in regards to the person or persons involved with stealing my campaign signs at the business property on Magnolia Blvd.

I appreciate you taking responsibility for the person involved with your campaign regarding the theft of my signage.  I would like to ask how involved this person is with your campaign?   Is he simply a campaign volunteer or a close friend as well?  I am asking because it has been reported by several community leaders that this individual has been seen with you on numerous occasions and at several city and campaign related events.  It is also reported that this individual should have known better due to the fact that this individual has many mutual friends on Facebook who are involved in politics in the community and beyond

I would greatly appreciate you returning my signs that are in your campaigns possession in addition to any that have previously been stolen.

Thank you again,

Char

UPDATED: Reports of Campaign Signs Being Stolen as Election Looms

For the second time in this current election cycle, campaign signs have once again been reported stolen.  This time, the alleged thief was caught by security video.

Both reported instances to BurbankNBeyond have involved candidates for the Burbank School Board.

Last month, Steve Ferguson announced through Facebook posts that he had several signs stolen one night.  He replaced the signs later that week.

The latest theft occurred Monday night when a business on Magnolia had two campaign signs for Charlene Talbet at approximately 6:50 pm on Monday night.  The theft was reported to BurbankNBeyond through a Twitter post Tuesday that also included a photo.  Later Tuesday night, the business involved also sent a copy of the video of the alleged thief as he collected the two signs and fled.

Unidentified man seen leaving the scene after allegedly taking Charlene Talbot campaign signs

Unidentified man seen leaving the scene after allegedly taking Charlene Talbot campaign signs

Sgt. Darin Ryburn of the Burbank Police Department said that as of this time no one has filed a complaint or a police report of campaign signs being stolen, but the department was interested in the photos and video.

The campaign signs have become a tradition in Burbank during election time with businesses and residents encouraged to display signs on their property.

Click on the link below to watch the short video

sign theft video

UPDATED Feb. 13  – another reader has sent in a video of his campaign signs also being stolen and he claims that he did call the police.

These signs were stolen on Feb 1 and included campaign signs of Zizette Mullins, David Gordon, Bob Frutos and Juan Guillen from his Jolly Drive home.  The homeowner said that Burbank Police were called after the theft.

Here is the video below of the theft.

Signs stolen from residence

Richard Elmoyan, Burbank Basketball

Junior captain Richard Elmoyan (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Junior captain Richard Elmoyan (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

By Dick Dornan
BurbankNBeyond Sports Editor

As the CIF Southern Section basketball playoffs begin this Friday, Burbank enters its first-round matchup at Loara High School with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Richard Elmoyan

Richard Elmoyan

Behind the driving force of junior captain Richard Elmoyan, the Bulldogs exceeded everyone’s expectations this year to the tune of a fourth place finish in the highly competitive Pacific League.

Burbank (15-12) overachieved this season behind the tremendous coaching of first-year coach Jerry DeLaurie and the outstanding play of Elmoyan and company. After graduating 12 seniors from last year’s squad and hiring a new coaching staff in August, nobody had Burbank on their radar. Until now.

“I’m happy with where we are. I honestly didn’t expect us to be here with the (lack of) varsity experience from last year. But we are doing good overall,” said Elmoyan, the only returning player from last season’s Bulldogs team. “I feel rather proud that we are here now. As a first year coach, he did a good job of getting us together and believing. Everything has gone great since October, even August.”

Elmoyan, 16, has been the heart and soul of a resurgent Burbank program that refused to accept mediocrity but rather strive for excellence. Elmoyan transferred from Hoover during his freshman year and sat out a year of basketball before being declared eligible two games into league action during his sophomore year.

The experience of playing alongside his brother, Simon, built the foundation for his leadership this year.

“From last year’s experience I learned a lot. We had 11 or 12 seniors,” Elmoyan said. “It affected me on how I play now. I can actually lead a team now.”

DeLaurie recognized immediately the unique talents and leadership skills of Elmoyan. When he discovered that the cupboard was bare when he first arrived to coach in August, DeLaurie turned to Elmoyan for leadership and guidance.

Richard Elmoyan directs the Burbank offense against Burroughs (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Richard Elmoyan directs the Burbank offense against Burroughs (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“Richard leads by example. He works tremendously hard for us with his energy and passion,” DeLaurie said. “His energy level is unbelievable. I don’t think anyone in this league plays with as much energy on offense and defense as he does.

“At the same time, he is always helping someone out. It could be his teammate or the team manager. He wants to make people happy. He’s a people’s person who always thinks about others first.”

Elmoyan’s unselfish ability on the court can be traced to his willingness to play all five positions for Burbank and never complain. It’s all about the team. His toughness is defined by his team-leading 20 charges taken. His leadership has been invaluable to his teammates.

“He lays everything out there on the court,” DeLaurie said. “He does the little things that no one notices. The team really respects him. Even though he is only a junior, the seniors respect him as the team’s captain.”

“I try to be vocal. As captain, I need to talk on and off the court. If I’m on the bench, I’m cheering on the guys on the court. On the court, I’m talking on defense and offense,” Elmoyan explained. “Leadership is not something that is easy. My opinion does matter but I also have to listen to others. I have to see what the team needs or wants and go with that. I just have to lead them.”

Elmoyan credits DeLaurie for bringing the team together as one unit during the team’s trip to San Diego to compete in the Sweetwater Tournament. The Bulldogs went 3-2 against great local competition.

“San Diego really connected us. Coach DeLaurie really did a great job setting up the trip to Sweetwater,” Elmoyan said. “We became a family and a team.”

Richard Elmoyan scores two of his 16 points against Muir (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Richard Elmoyan scores two of his 16 points against Muir (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Upon returning from San Diego, Burbank battled to a 7-7 mark in the Pacific League, including wins against Muir and Burroughs and close losses to Crescenta Valley and Pasadena.

Elmoyan, who owns a 3.5 GPA at BHS, admires his idol, Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs. Like Parker, Elmoyan speaks French. He recently visited France in April of 2011 to see his Godfather. Upon returning home, Elmoyan bought a No. 9 Tony Parker jersey to remind him of how the game is played the right way.

“He (Tony Parker) is not selfish at all. He always looks for assists and always looks out for his teammates,” Elmoyan said. “Overall, he has a beautiful way to play basketball and it’s a pleasure to watch him.”

The same can be said of Elmoyan. Come to a Burbank game and it’s a pleasure to see No. 15 play the game with integrity, passion and desire.

“He’s enjoying high school and getting the most out of it,” DeLaurie said. “The sky is the limit for him.”

 

 

 

 

High School Sports Weekly Recap

Burroughs boys soccer won the Pacific League title (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs boys soccer won the Pacific League title outright (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

 

By Dick Dornan
BurbankNBeyond Sports Editor

The rivals battle to a 1-1 draw (Photo by Dick Dornan)

The rivals battle to a 1-1 draw (Photo by Dick Dornan)

 

Thursday, Feb. 7

Boys Basketball:

Burroughs 53 Burbank 44 (Burroughs improves to 15-11, 5-9 in league; Burbank slips to 15-12, 7-7)

Holy Martyrs Armenian 57 Providence 42

St. Anthony 77 Bell Jeff 46

Girls Basketball:

Burbank 54 Burroughs 37 (Burbank improves to 15-12, 11-3 in league; Burroughs falls to 23-4, 12-2)

Providence 59 Buckley 54

St. Anthony 77 Bell Jeff 39

 

The action was fierce between the two schools (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The action was fierce between the two schools (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Boys Soccer:

Burbank 1 Burroughs 1 (Burbank now 6-9-3, 4-7-3 in league; Burroughs now 13-6-3, 10-3-1)

Girls Soccer:

Burroughs 1 Burbank 0 (Burroughs improves to 13-8-2, 10-3-1 in league; Burbank slips to 14-9-1, 9-4-1)

Girls Water Polo:

Crescenta Valley 14 Burroughs 1 (Burroughs falls to 13-9, 6-2 in league)

Burbank 16 Hoover 0 (Burbank improves to 11-11, 4-4 in league)

 

Burroughs water polo action (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs water polo action (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Wednesday, Feb. 6

Boys Basketball:

Buckley 51 Providence 38

 

Tuesday, Feb. 5

Boys Basketball:

Burbank 60 Hoover 41 (Peter Wongsasitorn scored 11 points and took a charge on defense for the fourth straight game; Sarkis Karium added 10 points as BHS limited Hoover to 18 percent shooting from the field and only three points in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs improve to 15-11, 7-6 in league and clinch a playoff berth in the process)

Burroughs 41 Arcadia 36 (Lawrence White scored 20 points and Jorge Flores-Pere added 9. Indians improve to 14-11, 4-9 in league)

Burroughs girls basketball clinches a share of the Pacific League title (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs girls basketball clinches a share of the Pacific League title (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Providence 58 Oakwood 55

Girls Basketball:

Burroughs 49 Arcadia 45 (Indians win at least a share of the Pacific League title; JBHS now 23-3, 12-1 in league; see story for more information)

Burbank 53 Hoover 30 (Sharis Ghazeri scored 7 points and had 5 assists; Karina Miller had 7 points and 5 steals; Karley Meza scored her first basket as a varsity player as the Bulldogs improve to 14-12 and 10-3 in league)

Bell Jeff 53 St. Mary’s Academy 43

Boys Soccer:

Burroughs 4 Arcadia 2 (Indians clinch the outright Pacific League championship; JBHS now 13-6-2, 10-3 in league; see story for more information) 

Burbank 4 Hoover 1 (Dennis Palacio scored 2 goals; Christian Garcia had a goal and 2 assists for BHS. Bulldogs improve to 6-9-2, 4-7-2 in league)

Girls Soccer:

Arcadia 2 Burroughs 1 (Emma Pineiro scored for the Indians who slip to 12-8-2, 9-3-1 in league)

Burroughs goalie Ahsha Earwood blocks one of her 18 saves (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs goalie Ahsha Earwood blocks one of her 18 saves (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank 3 Hoover 0 (Dakota B., Emma D., and Alessia D. scored goals; Kathrine P. had 2 assists as the Bulldogs improve to 14-8-1, 9-3-1 in league)

Girls Water Polo:

Pacific League Tournament at Burbank High-

Burroughs 5 Glendale 2 (Yesi Esparza scored 3 goals and Ahsha Earwood had 18 saves as JBHS improves to 13-8, 6-1 in league. The Indians will play Crescenta Valley for the league title on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Burbank High)

Burbank 7 Arcadia 5 (Bulldogs now 10-11 and 3-4 in league)

 

Monday, Feb. 4

Boys Basketball:

Bell Jeff 70 Verbum Dei 58

Girls Basketball:

Mesa Grande Academy 47 Providence 45

Neighbor Dispute Lands Burbank Resident in Jail After Shooting

Burbank Police were called to the 900 Block of N. Lincoln Street by a resident who had reported their car had been shot at while parked across from their house, and the side window was shattered.

Burbank Police take Steven Rosenberg of Burbank into custody following investigation into shooting. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Police take Steven Rosenberg of Burbank into custody following investigation into shooting. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Police investigated the incident and their field investigation, along with some keen police work, led them to a nearby residence. Following some questioning and additional investigation, police took Burbank resident Steven Rosenberg, 27 years-old, into custody for the shooting.

Evidence collected and booked following arrest of Burbank resident. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Evidence collected and booked following arrest of Burbank resident. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Police recovered evidence from the residence of the suspect and the victim’s car were impounded  for additional evidence and future investigation.

Burbank Stuns Burroughs With Solid Victory, 54-37

shoots a jumper for Burbank (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs and Burbank split their games this season (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

By Jim Riggio
Special to BurbankNBeyond

Facing crosstown rival Burroughs in the regular season finale for both teams, the Burbank High girls’ basketball team didn’t have much to play for Thursday night. Except pride and motivation.

Burbank girls basketball (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank girls basketball (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Knowing it had secured third place in the Pacific League, the Bulldogs came out surprisingly intense and stopped Burroughs from securing the league title outright, pulling out a 54-37 upset victory.

“We had nothing to lose and everything to gain,” Burbank Coach Bruce Breeden said. “We watched a lot of film and made the decision not to change anything. We just went and did what we’ve been doing all year.”

Senior Aja Locke was a key presence on both ends of the court as she was one of three Bulldogs in double figures, finishing with 10 points.

“We were relaxed. We play better when we are relaxed,” Locke said. “We talked a lot better as a team and communicated. Everything was a unit. We moved and we worked really well.”

Burbank (15-12, 11-3 in league) never trailed in the game.

Burroughs girls basketball (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs girls basketball (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs (23-4, 12-2) defeated Burbank, 54-46, in the first meeting between the two teams, but now has to share the Pacific League title with Arcadia. The Indians, who are ranked No. 7 in the CIF Southern Section Division IA poll, tied things up at eight in the first quarter. But they could never match the Bulldogs again.

One of Burroughs biggest struggles was at the free-throw line, where the Indians converted just six of 22 attempts. Burbank, conversely, hit 13 of 17 free throws.

The Bulldogs led 13-8 at the end of the first quarter and opened up a 29-15 lead at halftime. Jamie Gonzalez and Lysette Perez each hit a three-pointer in the second quarter to spark Burbank’s momentum.

Burroughs cut the lead into single digits late in the third quarter when Abbey Ibarra hit a three-pointer to make it 36-28. Burbank countered with a 6-0 run that included a jumper from each Ashley Linda and Sharis Ghazeri and a pair of free throws from Gonzalez.

Playoffs begin next week for both teams (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Playoffs begin next week for both teams (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“That was our best game all year,” Breeden said. “(This is) good timing. We just played better defense. We did what we were supposed to. Our rotations were great. We forced them into some tough shots.”

Gonzalez finished with 14 points to lead the Bulldogs. Ghazeri finished with 11 points and Linda had nine.

Burroughs was led by Aysia Shellmire and Sidney Ortega who each scored 14 points.

The CIF playoff brackets for both teams will be announced on Sunday afternoon.

Burroughs – Burbank Soccer Recaps

Burbank and Burroughs battled to a 1-1 tie (Photo by Dick Dornan)

Burbank and Burroughs battled to a 1-1 tie (Photo by Dick Dornan)

By Dick Dornan
BurbankNBeyond Sports Editor

Two games. Four teams playing their hearts out. In the second round of league action and the final regular season game before playoffs, Burroughs and Burbank put on a display of hard-nosed soccer action between the rivals. The girls game at Memorial Field was just as intense as the boys game at Burbank High.

Taylor Bailey controls the ball for Burroughs (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs and Burbank split their series (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

 

Girls Soccer:

Burroughs 1 Burbank 0

Brianna Matallana scored with three minutes left to break-up a scoreless game in a wild finish. Captain Tatiana Rizzotti of JBHS sent an indirect kick from 30 yards out into a cluster of players where the ball got knocked around in pinball fashion. Matallana found the loose ball and hammered a shot in to give the Indians the win and earn a split against Burbank this season.

“It was really crazy. Everyone tried shooting it in and I was the last one. I saw it in front of my foot and I just shot in the goal,” Matallana said. “It was very emotional. It’s my senior year and my last Burbank-Burroughs game. It was a really good feeling.”

“I’ve never coached a group that has given so much of themselves to the team,” Burroughs Coach Eddie Garcia said. “They were crying afterwards because they knew how hard this match was. They play with a lot of heart and have a lot of courage.

Rivalry action at Memorial Field (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Rivalry action at Memorial Field (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“At halftime, we told them to keep their composure, maintain focus and try to work for a result. And they did. I’m really happy for them.”

With the victory, Burroughs (13-8-2, 10-3-1 in league) claimed third place in the Pacific League while Burbank (14-9-1, 9-4-1 in league) took fourth.

“I thought we outplayed them in every facet of the game,” Burbank Coach Eric Montoya said. “It’s soccer. You get one bad unlucky play. It’s too bad it didn’t come out our way.”

 

Boys Soccer:

Burbank 1 Burroughs 1

Burroughs goalie Elliot Whitecotton can't stop Burbank's goal (Photo by Dick Dornan)

Burroughs goalie Elliot Whitecotton can’t stop Burbank’s goal (Photo by Dick Dornan)

After clinching the outright Pacific League title on Tuesday, Burroughs (13-6-3, 10-3-1 in league) got more than they expected with Burbank (6-9-3, 4-7-3 in league) on Thursday. The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead late in the first half. The Indians battled back when Brandon Gerlach scored off an assist from Manny Celio mid-way through the second half.

The CIF playoff brackets for boys and girls will be released on Monday morning.

Burroughs Earns a Split With Burbank, 53-44

Burroughs Lawrence White, #3, goes high above the basket to block the shot of Burbank's Peter Wongsasitorn (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs Lawrence White, #3, goes high above the basket to block the shot of Burbank’s Peter Wongsasitorn (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

By Jim Riggio
Special to BurbankNBeyond

Burroughs High senior Lawrence White will not know for a couple more days whether or not he has played his last high school basketball game.

Lawrence White scored 23 points for the Indians (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Lawrence White scored 23 points for the Indians (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

If he has White made it one to remember as he scored a game-high 23 points as Burroughs earned a 53-44 Pacific League road victory over Burbank High Thursday night.

“We came together and played like a team as if it was our last game, which it could be,” White said. “I’m proud of my team. After losing the first game to Burbank, we were hungry. We came out and played our hardest.”

Burroughs (15-11, 5-9 in league) will have to hope to earn an at-large berth when the CIF Southern Section Division IA playoff pairings are announced on Sunday afternoon. The Indians exacted revenge the second time around after Burbank won the first clash, 55-52.

“I think we have a better chance now that we won this game,” White said. “Hopefully we get in.”

Richard Elmoyan directs the Burbank offense (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Richard Elmoyan directs the Burbank offense (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank (15-12, 7-7) has secured a playoff spot by finishing fourth in the eight-team Pacific League.

Both teams struggled getting the ball in the basket in the early going.

Burroughs led 10-2 at end of the first quarter as Kyle Roberts hit a half-court shot to beat the buzzer.

The Indians went up 13-2 on a basket by Kalen Verhoeven, before Burbank went on a 14-2 run to take a 16-15 lead.

Both teams fought back and forth for the remainder of the half. Burroughs went into the intermission with a 26-24 lead.

Burbank appeared to be pulling away late in the third quarter when it took a 38-32 lead following a pair of free throws by Richard Elmoyan.

But a John Cutone three-pointer cut the Bulldogs lead to 38-35 going into the final period.

Burbank hit a dry spell in the fourth quarter, going 3:11 without a point. During that span Burroughs turned a 40-38 deficit into a 46-40 lead.

rises up for a three-point shot (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Lawrence White rises up for a three-point shot (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“We had a good start and a good finish,” Burroughs Coach Adam Hochberg said. “I truly feel we controlled a lot of the flow of the game and our half-court trap bothered them.”

Cutone hit another key three-pointer with 48 seconds left to push Burroughs’ lead to 49-42.

“We’ve been trying to get better mentally all year. This is a nice win,” Hochberg added.  “Hopefully we can move forward and get an at-large bid. Hopefully we’re guaranteed at least 32 more minutes.”

Sarkis Karium led Burbank with 13 points. Greg Salas had nine points for the Bulldogs.

Roberts and Jorge Flores Pere each had seven points for Burroughs.

Girls Water Polo Pacific League Tournament Recap

Pacific League Tournament action (photo by Ross A. Benson)

Pacific League Tournament action (photo by Ross A. Benson)

By Dick Dornan
BurbankNBeyond Sports Editor

Burroughs took second place in league (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs took second place in league (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs (13-9, 6-2) and Burbank (11-11, 4-4) concluded their regular season with two games in the Pacific League tournament. The Indians took second place falling to powerful Crescenta Valley, 14-1, in the championship game. Burbank finished in fifth place after defeating Hoover, 16-0.

CIF playoff pairings to be announced this weekend.

 

Burroughs stats:

Burroughs 5 Glendale 2 (Yesi Esparza scored 3 goals, Sierra Marroquin and Cheyenne Morrison each scored a goal and Ahsha Earwood had 18 saves)

Crescenta Valley 14 Burroughs 1 (Emilee Holgate scored a goal and Ahsha Earwood had 7 saves)

 

 

Burbank finished fifth in league (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank finished fifth in league (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank stats:

Burbank 7 Arcadia 5

Seika Ha – 2 goals 3 assists 1 steal

Giuliana Vitagliano – 2 goals 1 steal

Lala Herpetian – 1 goal 1 assist 2 steals

Abby Glaessner – 1 goal 1 assist 8 steals

Ryan Bettencourt – 1 goal 3 steals

 

Burbank 16 Hoover 0

Abby Glaessner – 6 goals 2 assists 3 steals

Seika Ha – 2 goals 2 assists 4 steals

Burbank Bulldogs water polo action (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Bulldogs water polo action (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Lala Herpetian – 2 goals 1 assist 2 steals

Gaby Aghakian – 1 goal 1 assist 3 steals

Ryan Bettencourt – 2 goals 1 assist 1 steal

Giuliana Vitagliano – 1 goal 3 steals

Burroughs Wins Pacific League Titles in Boys Soccer and Girls Basketball

By Dick Dornan
BurbankNBeyond Sports Editor

John Burroughs High School captured Pacific League titles in boys soccer and girls basketball on Tuesday. For the boys soccer program it was their first since 2009. The girls basketball program secured its second in three years after winning in 2011.

BOYS SOCCER:

Burroughs Coach Mike Kodama won his eighth league title (Photo by Dick Dornan)

Burroughs Coach Mike Kodama won his eighth league title (Photo by Dick Dornan)

Burroughs 4 Arcadia 2

Coach Mike Kodama captured his eighth title as the Indians coach and the first for his program since winning back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009.

Manny Celio scored three goals, including two in the first 20 minutes of the game, to lead Burroughs. His first two goals gave JBHS an early 2-0 lead. After leading 2-1 at halftime, the Indians struck again on a pass from Xavi Izquieta to Celio who scored to make it 3-1 at the 55th minute. Izquieta scored 20 minutes later to cap off the scoring. Brian Arzate controlled the pace of the game from the outset.

“I’m extremely happy for the guys,” Kodama said. “It’s been special to see the team’s growth this season.”

Burroughs (13-6-2, 10-3 in league) realized it had clinched the outright league title with a minute left in its match. Crescenta Valley tied Pasadena, 1-1, giving the Indians a five-point lead in the standings with only one contest left to play- at Burbank on Thursday at 3:15 p.m.

“It was a subdued celebration,” Kodama said. “We know there is more for us to come in the playoffs. This team can flat out play. We have a lot of talent and it all came together these last two weeks.”

 

GIRLS BASKETBALL:

Burroughs Coach Vicky Oganyan won her second league title in three years (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs Coach Vicky Oganyan won her second league title in three years (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs 49 Arcadia 45

The Indians claimed at least a share of the Pacific League title with the win at Arcadia. Burroughs (23-3, 12-1 in league) can take the title outright with a win on Thursday at Burbank. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m.

“This is the best feeling in the world,” Burroughs Coach Vicky Oganyan said. “It is very rewarding with all the work we put in from last year up to this point to build a strong team. I’m very proud of the girls and happy that they can experience success. It teaches them a great life lesson that hard work pays off.”

Both teams came in with identical 11-1 records in league. How even were these two teams? The game was tied at half, 22-22, and at the end of third quarter, 30-30. It was tied at 36 apiece with four minutes remaining before Burroughs made the victory charge outscoring the Apaches 13-9 to win the contest.

Aysia Shellmire scored 10 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and had three blocks. Davina Del Castillo had another strong outing with seven points, 15 rebounds and five assists; Jakarra Waddell contributed eight points, seven rebounds and five assists; and Sidney Ortega scored 10 points.

“We did a great job executing our game plan,” Oganyan said. “Our defense was solid. We had everyone step up on offense and make huge baskets throughout the game and especially down the stretch.”