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Burroughs Girls Basketball Stunned by Pasadena

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(Photo By Ross A Benson)

The race to the Pacific League title just got a little more difficult for the Burroughs High girls’ basketball team.

The Indians, winners of at least a share of the league title five out of the last six years, got edged out at home Thursday night by upstart Pasadena High, which rallied for a 57-56 win.

“In the fourth quarter we made too many mistakes,” Burroughs coach Vicky Oganyan said. “I thought we played hard. I liked today’s effort. Our effort was better, but we still made some mistakes.”
Burroughs (10-3, 3-2 in the league) traded the lead 12 times with the visiting Bulldogs.
The Indians led by as many as 10 at one point in the third quarter and by as much as six in the final quarter.

But the Indians were unable to maintain the momentum.
A short jumper by Kayla Wrobel gave Burroughs a 56-55 lead with 1:13 to play. Following a timeout, Pasadena’s Sydney Brumfield came back to score with 1:03 left, giving the Bulldogs only their second lead of the second half. But Burroughs would not score again.

(Photo By Ross A Benson)

“That’s what we’re working on. We’re trying to put together a whole game where we’re playing well offensively and defensively,” Oganyan said.
Pasadena (6-3, 4-1) received a stellar performance from junior Kamesha Moore, who scored 21 of her game-high 27 points in the second half.

(Photo By Ross A Benson)

“I think this team is beginning to start seeing themselves more seriously and see themselves as a contender,” first-year Pasadena coach Melissa Sanchez said. “They know they should be the team to beat. I think that building their confidence in their abilities together rather than separate has been the key focus this year.”

Pasadena jumped out to a 7-0 lead to start the game before Burroughs came back to take a 10-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Indians extended the lead to 31-25 at halftime.

Burroughs led 39-29 following a three-point play by sophomore Faith Boulanger with 5:45 left in the third quarter. Pasadena fought back to tie things at 44 heading into the final quarter.
Burroughs was led by Boulanger, who had 20 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Wrobel, who is also a sophomore, had 12 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and four steals.

Freshman Noor Fahs had 10 points for Burroughs. Dyani Del Castillo had six points. Camryn Lotka and A’sia Morales each had three points for the Indians and Nicole Rumfola had two points.

Burroughs Girls Hoops Lead, Falter Late To Crescenta Valley

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By Rick Assad

 

For a good portion of Tuesday’s Pacific League girls’ basketball contest between visiting Burroughs High and Crescenta Valley, the Indians were in the driver’s seat.

This didn’t matter too much as the Falcons seized control in the last minutes and held on for a 46-43 win.

“Having our best player [Faith Boulanger] on the bench didn’t help. We made some turnovers,” Burroughs coach Vicky Oganyan said. “We should be taking care of the ball better. You gotta let your team play. They’re going to make mistakes.”

The Indians had several empty trips late in the match due to turnovers, but the key hoop was turned in by senior shooting Caity Bouchard (15 points) with 1:50 left in the fourth period as the Falcons moved ahead 38-37.

The win by the Falcons snapped the Indians’ nine game-winning streak and gave Crescenta Valley a 7-5 record and 3-1 mark in league play, while the Indians are 9-1 and 2-1 in league action.

Burroughs, shown in a game at Glendale, lost to host Crescenta Valley 46-43. (Photo by © Ross A Benson)

“It’s a long season. It’s one game,” Oganyan said of the lone setback. “It helps you realize all the things you need to work on to get better.”

Burroughs, which made one of 11 shots from the floor at one juncture late in the final period, forged ahead 10-7 in the opening frame and then darted in front 21-15 at the intermission.

The Indians were in charge 33-26 heading in the final frame and were ahead until about two minutes were left.

Leading Burroughs was sophomore power forward Kayla Wrobel, who dropped in a team-best 13 points.

The Falcons, who hit nine of 14 from the free-throw and five of 11 from the floor in the fourth quarter, were led by senior guard Georgina Kregorian with a game-best 19 points.

“You’re playing a game with league ramifications in the second week of December,” Crescenta Valley coach Jason Perez said. “Usually we take December to figure it work. Today we grew up and stepped up. The defense was the key.”

The Indians, pictured against the Nitros, had too many turnovers against the Falcons. (Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Burroughs, which shot 28 percent from the floor (14 of 50) took a three-point lead in the opening frame as senior small forward Nicole Rumfola scored three of her six points as the Indians converted four of 20 shots from the floor.

The Indians, who drilled 13 of 25 from the charity line for 52 percent, converted three of 19 shots in the second period.

Burroughs held a six-point edge at the intermission as Boulanger (11 points) scored five points.

Boulanger was slapped with her fourth foul midway through the third quarter and missed about half of the fourth period.

Kregorian scored five points in the first quarter and then added two points in the second stanza as the Falcons (31.1 percent on 14 of 45 from the field) made three of 12 in the first period and three of 10 in the second quarter.

The third period saw the Indians drill four of eight from the floor and hold a 12-11 scoring edge with sophomore power forward Kayla Wrobel tallying six of her eight points.

In that frame, Kregorian scored eight points as the Falcons were successful on three of 12 from the floor and five of eight from the free-throw stripe and made 16 of 26 for 61.5 percent during the game.

Senior guard Camryn Lotka scored five points for the Indians, while senior point guard Ariana Farias dropped in four.

Sophomore guard Dyani Del Castillo and senior guard Sophie Hawkins each had two points and junior guard A’sia Morales added one point.

Burroughs Girls Basketball Has Few Problems In 59-34 Win Over Glendale

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By Rick Assad

 

In a contest that was basically decided by rebounding, the Burroughs High girls’ basketball team doubled host Glendale’s total which led in part to a 59-34 Pacific League triumph on Friday night.

The Indians outrebounded the Nitros 46-23 including 29-14 in the opening half with sophomore shooting guard Dyani Del Castillo pulling down a game-best 11 rebounds and dropping in 12 points.

“Our goal was to play hard. To press. To play fast. I told them at the half that we were dominating the glass,” Burroughs coach Vicky Oganyan said. “The best teams are the one’s that the girls can make the decisions on their own.”

Burroughs is off and running against host Glendale. (Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Oganyan, who played at Glendale, was pleased with the effort.

“We told them to keep up the aggressiveness on defense, but to slow it down on offense so we can be successful on our shots.”

Sophomore power forward/center Faith Boulanger collected eight caroms and scored a game-high 15 points with four steals.

Each team managed 12 points in the initial frame as five players contributed for the Indians (9-0 and 2-0 in league).

Del Castillo nailed a three-pointer and senior small forward Nicole Rumfola hit a trey for her only tally of the evening.

A 20-point second quarter eruption unfolded for the Indians, who made six of 18 from the floor after downing four of 22 from the field in the first period.

Boulanger delivered six points in the second quarter after making a pair of free throws in the opening frame.

Ariana Farias sets the tone for the Indians. (Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Burroughs converted 10 of 13 from the charity stripe on the game, while Glendale hammered seven of 13.

Meanwhile the Nitros (8-7 and 1-1 in league) were held to seven points in the second period and fell behind 32-19 at the intermission.

Glendale converted four of 11 from the field in the first period and two of five in the second quarter.

Burroughs, which is ranked No. 22 in the state and No. 200 in the nation by the high school sports website MaxPreps.com, shot a little better in the third quarter, hitting five of 15 from the field and two of two from the free-throw line.

Del Castillo scored six points in the third period and Boulanger, who had recently injured her ankle, added five points.

Sophomore power forward Kayla Wrobel scored five of her 10 points in the fourth quarter as Burroughs made six of 10 from the field.

Kayla Wrobel, who scored 10 points, is getting inside position. (Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Senior shooting guard Jillian Kukawski had four points and senior point guard Jordyn Jackson tallied three points for the Indians.

Senior point guard Camryn Lotka also added three points, junior point guard A’sia Morales contributed three points and junior shooting guard Sophie Hawkins also tossed in three points .

Senior point guard Ariana Farias had two points with eight assists and five steals.

Sophomore center Sydney Martin garnered two points and senior small forward Jhazmin Pitts added two points.

Glendale made 11 of 32 shots from the field for 34.3 percent and Burroughs was successful on 21 of 65 for 33.8 percent.

The Nitros were paced by senior Meri Chesbishian with 12 points, all coming on three-pointers.

Burbank, Burroughs Girls Basketball Seek CIF Playoffs

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By Rick Assad

 

When it comes to girls’ basketball, Burroughs High and Burbank both have quality programs and strong coaching leadership.

The Indians are coming off a season in which they went 23-8 overall and 11-3 in the Pacific League while reaching the CIF Southern Section playoffs.

Burroughs lost a key player to graduation in Marin Grote, a 6-4 center, who averaged a double-double in points and rebounds and also played volleyball where she was a standout.

Osanna Tiritan should lead the Bulldogs in points and rebounds once again. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Currently Grote is at the University of Washington where she is on the women’s volleyball team.

“I expect our team to be prepared and competitive in every game,” longtime Burroughs coach Vicky Oganyan said. “As usual our league will be very tough. Arcadia, Crescenta Valley, Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena all are returning very good talent.”

It’s always exciting when the two city rivals meet.

Burroughs will host Burbank on Jan. 11 and the Bulldogs will host the Indians on Jan. 31.

The Indians, who are undefeated this season at 6-0, will very likely lean heavily on Faith Boulanger, a highly-skilled 5-11 sophomore center/power forward, who averaged 12.7 points with 7.3 rebounds and was selected all-league, first-team.

Despite being a freshman, Boulanger proved her worth early and was a major force on offensive and defensive.

Kayla Wrobel, a 5-10 sophomore power forward was a second-team, all-league pick after tossing in 5.4 points and 5.2 boards per game.

The Indians will be strong as usual and will fight for the top spot in the Pacific League. (Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Dyani Del Castillo, a 5-8 sophomore shooting guard averaged 5.6 points and 4.4 caroms which translated into being tabbed honorable mention.

Ariana Farias is a 5-3 senior point guard and will lead the offense for Oganyan.

This job is critical because Farias sets the tone.

There are six returners from last year’s team and they include seniors Nicole Rumfola, a 5-9 small forward, Camryn Lotka, a 5-7 shooting guard, Emily Gutierrez, a 5-4 point guard and Jillian Kukawski, a 5-7 shooting guard.

There are two juniors on the squad and they are Sophie Hawkins, a 5-7 shooting guard and A’sia Morales, a 5-7 shooting guard.

The rest of the team will consist of seniors Jhazmin Pitts and Jordyn Jackson and freshman Noor Fahs.

It’s a certainty that the best player on the floor for the Bulldogs, who went 10-18 and 5-9 in league and are 5-2 this season, will be Osanna Tirityan, a 5-9 senior small forward.

“She does everything for us,” Burbank interim coach Bruce Breeden said of Tirityan, who averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds and was named all-league, first-team three consecutive years.

Sofia Aslanian, a 5-10 senior power forward, is likewise a three-year starter. “Sofia controls the boards and gives us leadership,” Breeden said.

Jayla Flowers is a 5-7 sophomore shooting guard and junior Brianna Castro is a 5-5 shooting guard.

“Jayla is a great athlete,” Breeden said of Flowers, who was an honorable mention. “Brianna is our best shooter.”

Also on the team will be Emily Monterrey, a 5-5 senior point guard, Jasmine Chavez, a 5-3 senior point guard and Roxy Payinid, a 5-6 sophomore point guard.

Rounding out the squad are Dakota Cortez, a 5-6 senior small forward, Adel Bandarian, a 5-9 junior power forward, Adrianna Cabrera, a 5-8 junior small forward and Kim Pimentel, a 5-4 sophomore point guard.

Rounding out the squad will be senior small forward Serlie Pouladian, senior small forward Knar Geghamya, junior small forward Val Martinez and sophomore guard Erika Montoya.

Burroughs, Burbank Girls Basketball Ready For Strong Seasons

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By Rick Assad

When the Burroughs High and Burbank girls’ basketball teams take the floor, it’s with conviction that every game is winnable.

The Indians, 17-12 and 8-4 in the Pacific League, tied for second last season, will be paced by 6-foot-4 senior center Marin Grote and 5-3 junior point guard Arianna Farias.

“Both started last year and are expected to lead the way,” said Burroughs coach Vicky Oganyan, whose squad had its four-season run as the league champion snapped.

Grote, who will play volleyball for the University of Washington, averaged 9.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 4.6 blocks, 1.3 assists and 1.1 steals.

Burroughs getting some practice time with senior center Marin Grote (#44) passing the ball. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Oganyan expects the Indians, who lost in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division I-AA playoffs, to be competitive.

“The girls have had a good summer and fall by playing a lot of good competition,” she said. “Our focus will be being tough defensively, playing really hard and competing every second.”

It won’t be easy, but Oganyan believes the Indians will be in the hunt for the league title. “League should tough,” she noted. “There are a lot good coaches and good teams.”

The Indians will play in their own tournament and then begin league action on Jan. 3 at Arcadia.

Burroughs will play at longtime rival Burbank on Jan. 19 and host the Bulldogs on Feb. 8.

The Indians are loaded with junior guards who spent time on the floor like 5-2 Ayumi DeHerrera, 5-7 Jillian Kukawski, 5-6 Camryn Lotka, 5-5 Emily Gutierrez and 5-8 Nicole Rumfola, who will also see time at forward.

“All of these girls have improved and look forward to contributing,” Oganyan said.

Senior Jenny Galvan is a 5-3 guard coming up from the junior varsity who should help off the bench.

Burbank also worked on some of the fundamentals in practice. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

There are a number of talented sophomores such as 5-5 guard A’sia Morales, who is a “slasher, a good rebounder and a great defender,” according to Oganyan and 5-6 guard Sophie Hawkins, who is “being counted on as an outside shooter,” said Oganyan.

There are also freshmen and they include 5-7 guard Dyani Del Castillo, 5-11 forward Faith Boulanger and 5-9 forward Kayla Wrobel.

“Dyani is a great athlete who is everywhere on the court and a great rebounder, while Faith will be looked at as a scorer and Kayla is a great rebounder and has good instincts for the game,” Oganyan said.

Other first-year players include 5-5 guard Liliana Gonzalez, who plays solid defense according to Oganyan and 6-0 Sydney Martin, who will play the post.

Practice makes perfect, including dribbling and driving to the hoop. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Bulldogs are coming off a campaign in which they posted a 14-15 overall record and 5-7 in the league, good for fifth place along with Arcadia.

The Bulldogs are 1-2 this season with losses to Saugus 52-47 and Lancaster 63-39 in the Brentwood Tournament and a win versus the Archer School for Girls 49-28 in the same tourney.

Second-year Burbank coach John Wells said “the league is fairly-well balanced and that no team should go undefeated,” and employs a four-guard offense, hoping this will add more scoring and passing.

For Burbank, which begins league action at Hoover on Jan. 3, hosts Burroughs on Jan. 19 and visits the Indians on Feb. 8, everything begins with 5-7 junior shooting guard Osanna Tirityan, who has been a force for two seasons.

“Osanna is a great scorer and a great rebounder,” said Wells of Tirityan, who averaged 16.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.1 steals. “She’s an all-around player.

Tirityan has been named to the All-CIF Division II-A second team twice and All-League first team twice.

The Bulldogs race down the floor during a scrimmage. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Junior point guard Emily Monterrey, at 5-5, will also have the ball in her hands.

“Emily is a strong passer and likes to go to the basket,” Wells said.

Senior guard Sophia Jimenez is 5-5 and will add some offensive punch to the lineup as will 5-9 senior forward Kate Lynn Monterrey.

Sophomore guard Brianna Castro, at 5-4, is a very dependable shooter according to Wells.

The lone forward is 5-9 junior Sofia Aslanyan, who should contribute points and add muscle.

“Sofia is a strong offensive rebounder,” Wells said. “She has a strong post presence, but will be asked to play more than just the post.”

Coming off the bench is 5-4 junior guard Jasmine Chavez. “Jasmine is an aggressive defender and a good offensive slasher,” Wells noted.

Junior forward Dakota Cortez is 5-4 and can be counted upon to pick up stray balls.

“Dakota is a strong rebounder on both ends of the court,” Wells said. “She’ll dive for loose balls.”

Junior point guard Emily Monterrey is 5-5 and a “strong passer and goes hard to the basket,” according to Wells.

Despite being young, 5-5 freshman guard Jayla Flowers will contribute. “Jayla is an athlete and a great offensive rebounder,” Wells said. “She will be asked to guard the other team’s best player.”

Another young talent is 5-6 freshman forward Rukhshana Payind. “Rukhshana is a good offensive rebounder who runs the floor well,” Wells said.

Freshman guard Erika Montoya stands 5-3, but is still able to make herself into a crafty defender according to Wells.

Senior forward Amber Kassens is 5-5 and a relentless worker. “Amber is a good shooter and works hard on defense,” Wells said.

Junior guard Desi Gomez, at 5-3, will also be in the backcourt. “Desi is a spot-up shooter and a tough defender,” Wells said.

The rest of the squad includes 5-4 senior forward Kaylee Rivas, 5-1 senior guard Abisha Noriega and 5-6 senior forward Sabrina Feldman.