A time out with 7.9 seconds left on the clock that wiped out a game-tying three-pointer may have helped decide Thursday’s Pacific League boys’ basketball game between visiting Burbank High and Burroughs at a jammed-packed and raucous gym.
The Bulldogs’ 61-60 decision over the city rival Indians stood after senior shooting guard Steven Hubbell’s trey was wiped out after Burroughs Coach Adam Hochberg asked for a time out.
In fairness, Hochberg tried to call time even earlier in order to set up his offense and defense, but the referee failed to acknowledge the request.
Burbank senior shooting guard Ellie Hanno’s three-pointer with 2:20 left in the fourth quarter gave the Bulldogs a 57-53 lead, and Hanno’s free throw made it 60-57 with 10.1 seconds.
“We played together as a team,” said Hanno, who scored a game-best 19 points. “This is one of the best and biggest games I’ve played in.”
Junior power forward Tristen Hull’s three-point shot at the buzzer cut the lead to one point, but that was it for the Indians (19-7 and 9-5 in league).
“We know going in that it’s a rivalry game and that they’re going to make adjustments from the first meeting [Burroughs won 59-50],” Hochberg said. “We fought back and shot well in the fourth quarter. I’m proud of my guys and my seniors. But you have to execute for 32 minutes and we didn’t. You have to give Burbank credit.”
Both Burroughs and Burbank now await the CIF Southern Section playoff pairings which will be announced on Sunday.
The Indians were tied with Crescenta Valley and a coin flip will determine third and fourth place while the Bulldogs are in fifth place and can hope for an at-large bid.
“Anything can happen when you’re playing Burbank,” said Hubbell, who had seven points with five assists, two steals and two blocks. “We have a strong group and we’re going to get ready for the playoffs.”
Burroughs scored 20 points in the fourth quarter while limiting Burbank (18-10 and 8-6 in league) to 14 points.
Leading the charge in the final quarter was Hull (17 points with six assists, one block and 11 rebounds), who had seven points and junior small forward Angelo Solis (17 points with seven boards, two blocks and two steals) also contributed six points.
Senior point guard Ross Lee III (10 points with three caroms and two assists and three steals) added five points in the same period.
Burbank (38.4 percent on 20 of 52 from the field) pulled ahead 19-11 after the first quarter and was in front 31-20 at the intermission. The Bulldogs were in front 47-40 through three quarters.
“We stayed poised and stayed confident,” Burbank coach Jamayne Potts said of the close game. “We need to be ready and play strong and make the correct plays. We have the ability to beat any team. We play in a good league and anything can happen.”
Hanno converted five of his team’s 10 three-pointers and had 10 points at the break, while junior swingman Michael Woods scored eight of his 11 points.
Solis and Hull each accounted for 13 of their 17 points in the second half.
The Indians made 12 of 21 for 57.1 percent in the second half while holding the Bulldogs to 40.9 percent (nine of 22).
Burbank scored 19 points in the opening quarter with junior small forward Ben Chavez (16 points) hitting two of his four three-pointers.
Hanno had four points that included a three-pointer that gave the Bulldogs an eight-point lead.
Solis scored four points in the first quarter while senior point guard Eric Allen (two rebounds and one assist) had five points.
Hanno canned a pair of three-pointers in the second period and Woods tacked on a pair of hoops while junior small forward Faraz Khandaker (four points) added two free throws.
Junior wing Justin Henderson (two boards and two assists) scored all of his five points in the second quarter for the Indians while Hull and Lee III each added a bucket.
The Indians (20 of 49 for 40.8 percent) outscored the Bulldogs 20-16 in the third quarter after Solis dropped in seven points and Hull tossed in six points.
Chavez’s eight points in the third quarter included two three-pointers and paced the Bulldogs while Hanno and senior point guard Cameron Sweeten (six points) added four points each.
