Smothering and relentless defense along with sizzling shooting in the first quarter was at the heart of the Burroughs High girls’ basketball team’s 53-24 triumph over host Hoover in a Pacific League match on Friday.
Eleven players scored for the Indians who remain undefeated in league play with senior guard Abbey Ibarra leading the way after tallying a game-high 14 points.
The Indians (12-7 and 5-0 in league) connected on 21 of 64 from the field for 32.8 percent, but drained 10 of 20 in the opening quarter as the visitors took a 23-2 lead.
“We started off really well and we played with good energy,” Burroughs coach Vicky Oganyan said. “Overall we played hard, but we need to correct some mistakes offensively.”
Ibarra tallied nine of her points in the opening stanza including nailing a three-pointer.
Senior guard Jordan Meltzer, who also canned a three-point shot in the initial quarter, scored all of her nine points in the first quarter.
“We just try to stick to the game plan,” Ibarra said of the team’s philosophy. “We try to listen to the coach. Our coaches prepare us well enough.”
Knowing that the Indians are gunning for a fourth straight league title, is there added pressure to win?
“Sometimes I feel the pressure because we don’t know what the other team will bring,” Ibarra pointed out. “We think that we’re going to get a lot better because that’s a challenge for our team.”
Burroughs extended its lead to 34-9 at the intermission as junior guard Kamryn Cardenaz (six points) dropped in four points in the second quarter after scoring two points in the first quarter.
Sophomore center Marin Grote, who finished with five points, had a hoop and a free throw in the second quarter, and later scored a bucket in the third quarter.
Hoover made one of seven from the field in the opening quarter and hit one of eight in the second quarter.
Burroughs struggled from the floor in the third quarter scoring five points and converted two of 13.
Beside Ibarra’s hoop, the Indians received a Grote bucket and a free throw from junior forward Haley Wilson as Burroughs took a 39-12 advantage into the final quarter.
The Indians were a little more successful in the fourth quarter after drilling five of 17.
The reserves were in at this point as senior guard Taryn Mejia poured in five points including a three-pointer with a pair of free throws.
Meanwhile freshman guard Ayumi DeHerrera added four points, freshman guard Jillian Kukawski canned a three-pointer and junior forward Jocelyn Rieken added two points.
The Tornadoes (5-12 and 1-4 in league) drilled five of 38 from the field (13.1 percent) and were led by senior small forward Lilit Aghanes with seven points followed by junior guard Khiara Almendras with six points.
The Indians will face Glendale on the road next Tuesday with a 5:30 p.m. start.
