By Dick Dornan
MyBurbank Sports Editor
Competing for 13th place in the Chaminade Christmas Classic wasn’t exactly what Burroughs coach Adam Hochberg had in mind. But after two subpar games which resulted in losses and a much-needed win against North Hollywood last week, the Indians came into Monday’s tilt versus Kennedy looking to close-out their non-league schedule with a win.
It wasn’t raining outside on a gorgeous sunny December morning in West Hills. But inside the gym at Chaminade High School, Burroughs (8-4) rained down a deluge of three-pointers, 11 to be exact, in a 71-64 victory against the under-manned Golden Cougars.
Rashid Ewing led the three-point parade with four while Steven Hubbell and Steven Sanchez each had three. Amaad Wainright added one trey as part of his 21-point effort to go along with eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals and three blocks. Wainright averaged 25.8 points per game in the tourney.
Ewing scored 18 points and grabbed eight boards as he and Wainright displayed too much athleticism for the smaller and slower Kennedy squad. Chris Hovasapian added 12 points with Hubbell and Sanchez contributing nine points apiece.
Kennedy (4-12) jumped out to a quick 10-4 advantage that reached 16-11 with less than a minute to play in the first period. Hubbell connected on a three-pointer from the left wing with 41 seconds left to cut the deficit to two. After a Kennedy missed shot, Wainright countered with a strong move to the basket, scoring, and converting the three-point play the old-fashioned way with 1.2 remaining on the clock.
Suddenly the Indians had awakened and took a 17-16 lead at the end of the first quarter. They didn’t look back the rest of the contest.
Ewing scored 12 points in the second quarter making three three-point shots as well as a layup and subsequent foul shot to propel the Indians to a 37-31 lead at halftime.
With Kennedy sitting in a 2-3 zone, Hubbell nailed a three on the first possession of the third quarter and Ewing followed with another trey and JBHS jumped out to a 43-31 lead just a minute into the second half. Another Hubbell “3” made it 50-35 with 3:36 left in the third.
Kennedy rallied to trim the lead to 54-44 after three quarters on back-to-back baskets by Marco Gonzalez and Ricky Ledesma.
The fourth period belonged to Sanchez as he knocked down three three-pointers to open a 64-48 lead that eventually swelled to 71-52 after Wainright launched a deep three with three minutes to go.
The Golden Cougars roared back on a 12-0 run to finish the game but the outcome had already been determined. The Indians were consistent in their offensive output scoring 17, 20, 17, 17 in each quarter.
Burroughs ended the tournament 2-2. The Indians lost to St. Bonaventure, 69-63, and Bishop Manogue of Reno, Nevada, 74-68, before defeating North Hollywood, 76-58.
After the game, Hochberg commented on moving forward and preparing for league.
“We must improve mentally if we are going to win close games in league,” Hochberg said. “We will also be a much deeper team with both David Schwer and Jakob Davis being eligible on January 6. They give us much needed size, length, and a defensive presence.”
Schwer, a Village Christian transfer, and Davis who came over from Burbank High, will be available to play at Hoover on January 7 when Pacific League action begins.
