Tag Archives: Kayla Wrobel

Burroughs Girls Basketball Takes Out Visiting Glendale

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By Rick Assad

Defense was very much a priority for the Burroughs High girls’ basketball team which hosted Glendale on Tuesday night in a Pacific League match.

For 32 tough and hard-fought minutes, neither team budged an inch defensively, but down the stretch the Indians were able to make three straight baskets including a three-pointer from junior shooting guard Dyani Del Castillo with 2:20 left for a four-point advantage and it helped propelled Burroughs to a 52-43 victory.

Burroughs shooting guard Noor Fahs tries to get around a Glendale defender. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“I was actually very nervous about this game because of the outcome of the last game,” said Del Castillo, who finished with a game-high 18 points and chipped in with five rebounds and four steals and had 11 points at the half. “We were all very prepared for this game.”

The nine-point win may have been a payback for a 47-46 loss on December 10 at the Nitro gym.

“Glendale’s big, they’re aggressive, they play hard,” Burroughs coach Vicky Oganyan said. “We knew it was going to be a tough game.”

Oganyan, who played for Glendale High, then added: “Defensively we just made some adjustments from the first time that we played them to try to minimize how many catches they had in the post,” she noted. “The first time we played them they had too many points in the paint. I thought this time we minimized it. I thought the defensive pressure really helped.”

The Indians (17-5 and 8-1 in league) held a 37-32 lead heading into the fourth quarter as four players scored.

Now that’s defensive pressure by Kayla Wrobel and Noor Fahs. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

After Burroughs missed its first shot in the fourth period, junior forward/center Faith Boulanger (10 points and four steals) scored.

But then six consecutive misses followed until Del Castillo’s three-pointer made it 46-42.

Junior forward Kayla Wrobel (six points) then added a basket and sophomore forward Noor Fahs (five points with six steals) contributed a hoop.

The Indians shot 35.4 percent from the floor on 17 of 48 shot attempts and made 12 of 21 from the free-throw line for 57.1 percent.

The Nitros (17-5 and 6-3 in league) seized a 13-11 advantage in the opening period behind five points from senior guard Mary Markaryan (eight points).

Del Castillo tallied five points in the first frame to pace Burroughs, which was outrebounded by Glendale, 34-28.

Faith Boulanger looks to pass the basketball to Kayla Wrobel. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Indians followed that with a 15-point second quarter and led 26-22 at the intermission as Del Castillo, who had five treys in the game, knocked in a pair of three-pointers, including one that made it 24-18 with 1:35 showing.

Junior power forward Kayla Wrobel tossed in three of her six points in the second period and picked off a team-best seven boards with four steals.

Wrobel’s hoop with 3:10 left in the second period handed the Indians a 21-18 edge.

Burroughs was limited to 11 points in the third quarter as Boulanger, junior center Sydney Martin (seven points) and Del Castillo all scored three points.

Boulanger’s basket and successful free throw extended the Indians’ cushion to 34-24 with 4:41 left in the third period.

Burroughs then outscored Glendale 15-11 in the fourth quarter after making four of 11 from the floor and six of 11 from the charity line.

Junior center Areco Orujyan scored 10 of her team-best 13 points in the fourth period for the Nitros, who made three of 10 from the field and five of nine at the free-throw line.

On the night, Glendale converted 13 of 37 for 35.1 percent and 12 of 19 at the free-throw line for 63.1 percent.

Senior guard Sophie Hawkins scored six points that included a three-pointer in the first quarter for the Indians.

Burroughs Girls Basketball Pulls Away From Host Burbank

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By Rick Assad

Behind an effective 2-3 zone press by the Burroughs High girls’ basketball team, host Burbank turned the ball over in bunches which opened the path for the Indians to claim a 52-35 Pacific League win on Friday.

With the help of turnovers, Burroughs marched ahead 26-5 in the first quarter and were in front 40-15 at halftime as junior shooting guard Dyani Del Castillo tallied all of her 13 points and junior power forward Kayla Wrobel added 10 of her 13 points.

Wrobel’s basket with 4:36 remaining in the initial frame made it 11-0 and the Indians were on their way.

Faith Boulanger scored eight points and had seven steals for the Indians. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“I think that just playing solid defense is what we focus on because that’s how we contribute to our wins,” Del Castillo said.

Always a perfectionist, Del Castillo was happy with the victory, but wanted to do even more.

“I think I could have done more to help out my team,” she said after hitting three from three-point range.

On the night, the Indians (14-5 and 5-1 in league) shot 36.3 percent from the floor (20 of 55) and limited the Bulldogs (8-10 and 2-4 in league) to 12 of 26 for 46.1 percent.

“Recently we’re trying to pressure up more,” said Burroughs coach Vicky Oganyan of the press. “The last three or four games it’s worked well for us. I think the girls are getting the hang of it. They’re getting better at it. It makes us a better team.”

Bri Castro is trying to dribble against a swarming Burroughs defense. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs, which is the CIF Southern Section’s No. 9 ranked team in Division II-A, outrebounded Burbank 33-23 with sophomore shooting guard Noor Fahs grabbing a game-best seven rebounds along with six steals, four assists and scoring five points.

“That’s when we’re really good is when we have multiple players and we don’t just rely on one player,” Oganyan said of her offense.

On many occasions, the Bulldogs tried to get the ball inside or even try crosscourt passes, but too many defenders were there and a turnover would result.

“After that we settled down and realized that we have to play one possession at a time,” Burbank coach Jett Del Mundo said. “They’re trying to win or lose the game on one possession.”

Sophie Hawkins is being guarded by Erika Montoya. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Del Mundo spoke about the team trying to do too much.

“We’re not making passes. We have to make the simple pass,” he said of the litany of mistakes. “We don’t have to make the terrific pass. We got going a little bit in the second half.”

Wrobel’s nine points led the Indians in the first quarter while Del Castillo tallied eight.

Junior power forward/center Faith Boulanger (seven steals), who many times brought the ball up the floor, accounted for four of her eight points in the opening period as the Indians converted 10 of 17 from the field for 58.8 percent.

Burroughs junior power forward Sydney Martin scored four of her six points in the second period and Del Castillo tacked on five points in the frame.

Sydney Martin is ready to take a shot against Tabitha Cruz. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Senior shooting guard Sophie Hawkins added seven points and tossed in a three-pointer in the same period.

Both squads scored eight points in the third quarter while Burbank outscored Burroughs 12-4 in the fourth period.

Burbank had only 10 attempts from the field in the opening half and made six.

The Bulldogs converted two of two shots from the floor in the first period and four of eight in the second.

Senior power forward Khyla Lipscomb and sophomore point guard Christina Ohanians both poured in six points to lead Burbank.

Sophomore point guard Alle Tarvirdi tacked on five points while sophomore center Tabitha Cruz sprinkled in four points.

Senior shooting guard Bri Castro, junior point guard Erika Montoya, sophomore shooting guard Emily Megerdichian and freshman power forward Karen Casillas, all added three points and senior center Adelina Bandarian had two points.

Burroughs Relies on Faith in Win

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(Photo by Ross A Benson)

One can’t discuss religion in a public school.
But at Burroughs High, they can talk about Faith.
That is Faith Boulanger. The junior all-everything star carried her team to important Pacific League basketball victory Friday as the Indians outlasted Pasadena 48-46.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

Boulanger finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and four blocks in the victory.
Boulanger, who stands 6-foot-1, is primarily a forward.
But she showed her versatility against Pasadena, often bringing the ball up the court when needed. She also hit four 3-pointers.

Burroughs desperately needed to win against Pasadena if it hoped to remain in the running for the league title.
“I’ve been getting used to it throughout the year,” Boulanger said of playing point guard. “This is a big win. It ties us up for the first place. The whole entire time they were in our face. We needed to keep our intensity throughout the entire game.”
Burroughs (11-5 overall, 3-1 in the league) got out to a strong start led by Boulanger, who hit two of her 3-pointers late in the first quarter to help the Indians build their confidence level.
Burroughs went up 26-16 at halftime before Pasadena began to a full-court press to start the third quarter.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

It worked because the Bulldogs made things difficult for Burroughs and quickly came back. Pasadena (5-5, 3-1) actually took a 27-26 lead with 5:15 left in the third quarter as Sydney Brumfield hit a three-pointer. Brumfield led Pasadena with 19 points.

Although Burroughs led most of the way, Pasadena kept things tight and actually led 46-45 as Kamesia Piggee took advantage of a turnover and put the ball in the basket.
But Boulanger later tied things on a free throw and scored what turned out to be the winning basket with 1:23 left, by being the recipient of a back-door play that result in the Indians getting a go-ahead basket.
“Our kids know what it is like in the Pacific League. Every game is going to be close and intense and we have to be ready to play,” Burroughs coach Vicky Oganyan said. “She (Boulanger) just has a different level of confidence. She’s good at reading plays. She’s got a lot of experience and she’s played in a lot of tough games.”

Burroughs got 11 points and seven rebounds from Kayla Wrobel. Dyani Del Castillo had five points. Sydney Martin and Sophie Hawkins each had three points and Noor Fahs had two.

Burroughs Girls Hoops Waltz Past Notre Dame Academy, 51-30

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By Rick Assad

Shots were launched from deep and short and in between by the Burroughs High girls’ basketball team.

There was enough success despite shooting 26.3 percent from the field and it led to a 51-30 triumph by the Indians over Notre Dame Academy in a second-round match of the West Coast Holiday Festival Tournament Silver Division on Friday night at the Indians gym.

Senior guard Sophie Hawkins scored four points and played tenacious defense. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs hoisted up 76 shots and nailed 20 and made 14 of 43 for 32.5 percent in the opening half.

On the plus side, the Indians collected 58 rebounds compared to 25 for the Royal Gryphons.

“We moved the ball well and we looked for each other and we got a lot of open shots,” Burroughs coach Vicky Oganyan said. “We’re a good rebounding team.”

Burroughs (9-4) will play Santa Monica tonight at 8:30 p.m. in a semifinal game.

The offense was spearheaded by junior point guard Dyani Del Castillo, who poured in a game-best 13 points.

Junior power forward Kayla Wrobel added 12 points and grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds. Wrobel scored all of her points in the first half.

Junior center/power forward Faith Boulanger contributed nine points and nabbed seven caroms.

Defense and rebounding were on display by the Indians in a 51-30 win over Notre Dame Academy. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Indians outscored Notre Dame Academy, which made four of 13 for 30.7 percent at the intermission, in every quarter except the fourth.

Burroughs quickly seized command and barreled ahead 16-6 heading to the second quarter behind 10 points from Wrobel, who scored nine points in an opening-round 68-40 victory against Santa Paula on Thursday.

Sophomore shooting guard Noor Fahs scored four of her six points in the first period when the Indians made eight of 27 from the floor.

In the second frame, Burroughs didn’t take nearly as many shots from the field, just 16 and hammered in six and pulled in front 33-12.

Del Castillo, who scored a game-high 10 points versus Santa Paula, was the offensive catalyst in the second period scoring six points, while drilling a pair of three-pointers.

Faith Boulanger, shown dribbling the ball up the court, scored nine points and was a defensive presence. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Boulanger dropped in two three-pointers for six points in the third quarter and had a game-best 16 points against Santa Paula.

Del Castillo also had a trey in the third quarter when the Indians made four of 18 from the field.

Freshman shooting guard Ivana Razov drilled a three-pointer in the third frame which accounted for her only points, but handed out a game-best five assists.

The Regal Gryphons shot 30.3 percent from the floor on 10 of 33 for the night and outscored the Indians 7-6 in the fourth frame as Kaylin Chan nailed her third three-pointer of the evening and finished with a team-best nine points.

Brooklyn Jackson also scored a three-pointer in the final frame and finished with eight points for Notre Dame Academy.

Burroughs converted five of 10 from the free-throw line and Notre Dame Academy was successful on four of nine.

Senior point guard Sophie Hawkins dropped in four points for the Indians, sophomore point guard Stephanie Wilson added two points and junior point guard Lauren Lucas also tallied two points.

Junior center Sydney Martin didn’t score a point in Friday’s contest, but tossed in eight points during Thursday’s game.

 

Burroughs, Burbank Girls Basketball Ready, Steady

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By Rick Assad

At least recently, the Burroughs High girls’ basketball team has been the dominant force in the Pacific League, having won numerous banners under the leadership of longtime coach Vicky Oganyan.

Meanwhile, city rival Burbank has also produced some fine teams and has usually ended up in the top half of the league.

Both should be contenders for the league title this season, but Pasadena, which finished in a three-way tie for first place along with Burroughs and Crescenta Valley, might very well be the front-runner.

Bri Castro is a senior shooting guard and the only returning starter for the Bulldogs. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Indians, who were 21-8 overall and 10-4 in league a season ago, are still plenty potent.

“My expectations are to stay focused on the task ahead, play hard one play at a time, work together and get better individually and as a team as the season progresses,” said Ognayan, who saw the Indians lose to Walnut 43-38 in a CIF Southern Section Division II AA opening-round playoff match.

Oganyan, who played at Glendale High, has more than enough weapons at her disposal.

“Faith Boulanger, Dyani Del Castillo and Kayla Wrobel are all returning all-league players who we are going to count on to lead the way,” she said. “All three have experience and know what it takes to be successful at the varsity level.”

Boulanger is a 6-foot-1 junior center/forward, who can score from anywhere on the court and also collect rebounds.

Boulanger averaged 15 points and nearly eight boards for the Indians, who will visit Burbank on January 10 and host the Bulldogs on February 6.

Del Castillo (5-8) is a junior point guard with slick ball-handling skills, while Wrobel (5-11) is a junior power forward, who can score and grab rebounds.

Faith Boulanger is a junior center/power forward who can score, rebound and play defense for the Indians. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

There are three seniors on the team and include A’sia Morales (5-7), a point guard, Sophie Hawkins (5-7), a shooting guard and Hana Savola (5-11), a power forward.

The juniors on the squad are Lauren Lucas (5-5), a point guard and Sydney Martin (6-0), a center.

The available sophomores are Stephanie Wilson (5-4), a point guard, Noor Fahs (5-9), a small forward and Sarai Waddell (5-6), a shooting guard.

Three freshmen on also on the team and they are Isabella Roderick (5-11), a center, Ivana Razov (5-6), a shooting guard and Rachel Little (5-5), a point guard.

Jett Del Mundo is in his first season as coach of the Bulldogs, but has a quarter century of leading girls’ hoop programs, including Pasadena.

Kim Pimentel is a junior and the starting point guard for Burbank. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“My overall expectations for this group is to play better basketball, better team basketball than we did a season ago,” he said. “We won games because of our talent, but now we need to win games because we compete.”

Del Mundo then added: “We put a lot of hard work in the summer,” he noted. “They in turn wanted to participate in fall ball at Pasadena City College. I think we’re ready to start a new season and do better than a season ago.”

Del Mundo, a graduate of USC, feels confident that his team will have a productive season despite the graduation of highly-decorated power forward Osanna Tirityan, who did virtually everything on the floor.

Tirityan, an All-CIF selection, led the Bulldogs in multiple categories including points and rebounds.

Burbank finished last season with a 15-13 mark and 6-8 in league for fifth place, and didn’t get an at-large bid for the postseason tournament.

Also gone to graduation is starter Sofia Aslanyan. Track star Jayla Flowers decided to dedicated herself to her best sport.

Thirteen players comprise Burbank’s squad and includes five seniors, so there is enough leadership.

Two upper classmen are starters and includes Bri Castro, a gifted shooting guard and long-range shooter who is the only returning starter.

Kayla Wrobel is a junior power forward for Burroughs and a starter. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The other is center Adelina Bandarian, who will be asked to rebound and play defense, but can also put the ball in the hole.

“I’m approaching it like we can win hopefully every game,” Castro said. “But we have to play as a team and pass the ball. Last year I was mainly just a spot-up shooter. I want to be an all-around player. I want to drive to the basket more.”

What are some of Castro’s goals? “I kind of want to be all-league and I want to score more than 12 points a game,” she said.

Junior Kim Pimentel is also a starter and the point guard and captain and will have the ball in her hands a great deal.

“My expectations have been a little different this season. We’re starting over. We have only one returning starting player and that’s Bri. My expectations are pretty high,” Pimentel explained. “I have trust in my team and I think we can do really good. I just want to be the leader I can be. I just want to be there for my team. I want to be more aggressive on the court.”

Del Mundo will employ a three-guard offense, so the other backcourt starter will be sophomore Christina Ohanians.

Senior Khyla Lipscomb is the starting small forward, and ready to step in and contribute and so is freshman power forward Karen Casillas.

Senior small forward Valerie Martinez will likely see time on the floor and so will senior power forward Adriana Cabrera and junior guard Erika Montoya.

The rest of the team is comprised of junior forward Bella Jade, sophomore center Tabitha Cruz, sophomore small forward Emily Megerdichian and sophomore guard Alle Tarvirdi.

Burroughs Girls Basketball Fends Off Host Burbank 51-41

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By Rick Assad

 

Basketball is usually filled with momentum shifts, and it was as a 20-point eruption in the second quarter by the Burroughs High girls’ basketball team helped tilt its Pacific League finale against host Burbank in favor of the Indians.

Osanna Tirityan scored a game-high 20 points for Burbank in a 51-41 loss to Burroughs. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Kayla Wrobel, Nicole Rumfola and Faith Boulanger each dropped in 11 points in a 51-41 decision over the Bulldogs on Thursday night before a capacity crowd.

“Our league is a tough league,” Burroughs coach Vicky Oganyan said. “If you expect to not come in and have a tough game, you really don’t know what’s happening.”

Oganyan doesn’t mind using the bench and has confidence in that group.

“We always tell them. Be ready to go. If your number gets called and you go in the game, it’s your opportunity to perform,” she said.

Kayla Wrobel (#11) and Nicole Rumfola (#0) battle for the ball. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank (15-13 and 6-8 in league) came out strong and took a 9-7 lead into the second quarter as four players scored, including senior swingman Osanna Tirityan, who tallied two of her game-high 20 points.

Tirityan delivered 14 points in the second half.

The Indians (21-7 and 10-4 in league), who outrebounded the Bulldogs, 41-30, hit seven of 15 attempts in the second quarter.

Burroughs outscored Burbank 20-10 in the period and led 27-19 heading into the locker room.

The Indians, who will likely play a CIF Southern Section playoff game on the road, committed eight turnovers at the half, but only three in the second half.

Emily Monterrey looks for an open player while being guarded by Ariana Farias. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Six players scored for Burroughs, which ended the regular season with three consecutive victories after falling to visiting Crescenta Valley 32-29 on Jan. 22, including Jillian Kukawski, who had all eight points in the second frame.

Kukawski, a senior shooting guard, nailed two key three-pointers and a hoop.

A trey from Kukawski at the 4:40 mark made it 19-14 and Kukawski’s three-pointer with 2:10 left pushed the lead to 25-14.

The third quarter belonged to Rumfola, a senior forward who scored six points as the Indians (34.6 percent on 17 of 49 from the field) forged ahead 40-31.

Rumfola grabbed nine rebounds and handed out four assists while Wrobel, a sophomore power forward, snatched a game-best 14 rebounds.

Kayla Wrobel, who scored 11 points, is shown going to the basket. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Tirityan tallied nine points in the third period for the Bulldogs (14 of 41 from the floor for 34.1 percent).

Boulanger, a sophomore center, had seven points at the half and canned one of the six three-pointers made by Burroughs.

“What it came down to is that they handed us such a bad beating [71-34] the first time we played them and that in this game my girls needed to know that they can compete,” Burbank co-coach Jett Del Mundo said. “We started out well and they made a run and it took us a little while to regain our composure. But then we answered and our will to win was there and we fought.”

A third and final three-pointer from sophomore shooting guard Erika Montoya (nine points) sliced the Indians’ margin to 40-34 with 5:45 left, but Rumfola’s trey with 2:05 showing gave Burroughs a 48-38 advantage.

Neither squad was especially effective at the free-throw line as Burroughs made 11 of 24 for 45.8 percent and Burbank, which hit five treys and isn’t guaranteed a CIF playoff spot, connected on eight of 18 for 44.4 percent.

Junior guard Ariana Farias tossed in five points, junior guard A’sia Morales added four points and senior forward Jhazmin Piitts tacked on one point for the Indians.

Senior center Sofia Aslanyan scored five points and junior guard Briana Castro had three points for Burbank.

Sophomore small forward Jayla Flowers along with senior point guard Emily Monterrey each added two points for the Bulldogs.

Burroughs Girls Hoops Falls To Crescenta Valley 32-29 On Last Second Three-Pointer

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By Rick Assad

 

At the end of the first half and at the close of the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s Pacific League girls’ basketball game, Burroughs High allowed extremely long three-pointers which essentially handed visiting Crescenta Valley a 32-29 triumph.

Faith Boulanger, being guarded by Caity Bouchard, scored just two points, both free throws. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Senior point guard Mari Lee scored a game-high nine points for the Falcons and all came via three-pointers.

“It’s supposed to be matched up and not let anything go deep behind us. We backed up a little too far,” Burroughs coach Vicky Oganyan said of the defensive strategy. “We let her have a running start.”

A hoop from senior guard Ariana Farias (team-high eight points) evened the score at 29-29 with five seconds left.

It appeared for all intents and purposes that the contest was going to overtime given that the Falcons had to go the length of the floor.

Sure enough, that’s exactly what they did and when Lee secured the ball in her hands and then launched a 35-footer at the buzzer, just like the first half 30-foot hoop that trimmed the Indians’ lead to 15-12, this one also swished through, but this time it gave the visitors a shocking three-point win that snapped a tie between the Indians and Falcons in league play.

Nicole Rumfola tallied a team-best seven points for Burroughs in a 32-29 setback to Crescenta Valley. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

With 2:10 remaining on the clock, a basket from Crescenta Valley senior power forward Alin Mazmanian (four points) shoved the Falcons (15-9 and 8-3 in league) ahead 28-25.

The Indians (18-7 and 7-4 in league) responded in kind as sophomore power forward Kayla Wrobel, who scored all of her six points in the fourth quarter, dropped in a bucket that sliced Crecenta Valley’s lead to 28-27 with 32.8 seconds left.

Crescenta Valley’s top scorer and best player, 6-foot senior shooting guard/power forward Caity Bouchard was limited to three points.

One of Bouchard’s points came at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter when she knocked down just one of three.

Dyani Del Castillo dropped in four points for the Indians. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Bouchard was held in check offensively primarily because the Indians played excellent team defense and also fronted her on occasion.

The opening half of the contest wasn’t filled with lot of points as the Indians outscored the Falcons 7-3 heading to the second quarter.

“They’re all tough losses. I don’t see the difference between this one and the one in December,” Oganyan said. “It’s not like we lost anything today. There’s no league title on the line.”

Senior forward Nicole Rumfola (seven points) drilled the Indians’ only three-pointer in the initial period while sophomore guard Dyani Del Castillo scored two of her four points and Farias also dropped in two points.

Faith Boulanger is shown passing the basketball against the Falcons. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Rumfola, Farias, junior guard A’sia Morales and sophomore center, 6-1 Faith Boulanger, all scored two points in the second quarter.

Boulanger finished with only two points and had been averaging more than 15 points on the season.

The Indians missed their first four attempts from the field in the third quarter and all four shots from the free-throw stripe and managed to tally six points.

Burroughs didn’t score until Rumfola broke the skid with a basket. After the Indians missed a shot, Del Castillo scored and after back-to-back unsuccessful tries, Farias scored.

The Falcons scored 10 points in the third frame with Lee and senior shooting guard Georgina Kregorian (five points) both hitting treys and led 22-21 heading into the fourth period.

Burroughs Girls Hoops Steamroll Rival Burbank, 71-34

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By Rick Assad
 
 

 

With the help of three players that reached double figures for the Burroughs High girls’ basketball team, the Indians were barely taxed in a showdown with city rival Burbank.

Behind Faith Boulanger’s game-best 20 points, host Burroughs cruised to an easy 71-34 win over the Bulldogs in a Pacific League match before a packed house on Friday night.

Faith Boulanger tries to block a shot during Friday’s 71-34 win over visiting Burbank. Boulanger scored a game-high 20 points. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“We had higher energy and we were more conditioned,” said Boulanger, who had six steals. “I was pretty like excited and nervous. I’ve been with this team and I trust them and I know when we put our mind to it, we can do anything we want.”

Boulanger, a sophomore center, thought she played well, but said there’s room for improvement.

“I think personally I had a pretty good overall game,” she said. “I could have done some better things on defense. I could have helped more outside on one of their better players [Osanna Tirityan] and I could have taken some charges instead of blocking her shot.”

After hitting nine of 19 attempts in the first quarter, the Indians rolled ahead 20-10 with senior forward Nicole Rumfola (seven rebounds and four assists) scoring 11 of her 19 points while sophomore guard Dyani Del Castillo (14 points) dropped in five.

Burbank’s Emily Gutierrez is being defended by Camry Lotka. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“I would say this is probably the best we’ve played for sure,” Burroughs coach Vicky Oganyan said. “This is the most complete game we’ve played.”

Oganyan said the rivalry between Burroughs and Burbank is nice and certainly special, but you can’t make it bigger than what it is.

“We prepared for this game like any other game,” Oganyan noted. “I know both teams are going to be up for the game. I think the difference was that we shot the ball with confidence.”

The Bulldogs (13 of 40 for 32.5 percent) were held to four of nine from the floor in the first period as sophomore small forward Jayla Flowers (nine points) and senior swingman Tirityan (team-high 14 points) each scored three points.

Dyani Del Castillo tallied 14 points for the Indians and hit four three-pointers. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“We had no energy,” Burbank coach Jett Del Mundo said. “I think we were playing against the ghosts of last year. We made every play bigger than it needed to be. This was like a good league matchup. No one was going to win a championship.”

Boulanger canned a pair of three-pointers in the second quarter and had 10 points at halftime after tallying four points in the first period.

The Indians (15-6 and 5-3 in league) converted 14 of 24 shots at the intermission and were ahead 33-20, while the Bulldogs (13-8 and 5-3 in league) made eight of 19.

Del Castillo (six rebounds and four steals) nailed two of her four three-pointers in the third quarter and Boulanger added the third of four treys as the Indians hit five of 17 shots.

Faith Boulanger takes a jump shot and scored 10 points in each half and also collected six steals. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Flowers garnered four points in the third quarter for the Bulldogs, who will host the Indians on Jan. 31, and managed three of 11 from the floor and trailed 46-26 heading into the fourth quarter.

“Jayla played well, but she still had moments I wished she did things differently. But this is high school basketball,” Del Mundo said.

Nine players scored for the Indians (39.3 percent on 26 of 66 from the field) in the final frame with Boulanger scoring seven points and Rumfola dropping in four points.

Burroughs, which made nine from three-point range, drilled 10 of 17 from the free-throw line (58.8 percent).

Burbank, which hit two treys, made six of 12 (50 percent) from the charity line and was outrebounded, 40-32.

Burroughs sophomore power forward Kayla Wrobel accounted for three points, but pulled down a game-best 11 rebounds.

Senior point guard Ariana Farias scored four points and finished with five assists and five steals for the Indians.

Junior guard A’sia Morales tossed in three points for Burroughs, sophomore Sydney Martin had three points while senior forward Emily Gutierrez and senior forward Jhazmin Pitts each tossed in two points and senior guard Jordyn Jackson had one point.

Senior point guard Jasmine Chavez tallied five points for the Bulldogs, senior center Sofia Aslanyan, junior guard Brianna Castro and junior Adel Bandarian all scored two points.

A Look Back at the Best of 2018

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The 2018 year in sports in Burbank was not the best, nor the worst on record. The best individual performances were in track and field, as Burroughs Jagdeep Chahal was the CIF Southern Section Division 1 champion in the boys 1,600 meters. Elizabeth Switzer led the Burroughs girls’ track team by qualifying for the state championships in the pole vault. Burroughs golfer Kiara Hernandez was also outstanding in being the best in the Pacific League. The following is a look back at the best teams that Burbank and Burroughs highs put forth in 2018.

10. Burroughs boys soccer
The Indians went 15-9-1 in 2018 and finished second in the Pacific League with a young core that was made up mostly of sophomores.
Carlos Rosales led the midfield and Carter Wells became the heart of the defense. Freshman Manny Gonzalez scored 16 goals, a program record under coach Mike Kodama. This group will get only better in 2019 and 2020.
9. Burroughs softball
The Indians finished runner-up to Crescenta Valley in the Pacific League standings. But Burroughs once again put together a solid season, finishing with a 14-5-1 record and advancing to the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs. Pitcher Presley Miraglia moved to play at Cal State Long Beach.
8. Burroughs girls soccer
The Indians had a stellar season going 15-3-3 overall to place second in league. Burroughs won its first CIF Southern Section playoff game since 2009 with a wild-card victory over Brentwood School. Freshman Lauryn Bailey and junior Abbie Riggs were two of the Indians’ key offensive players. Olivia Cashman and Emily McHorney were two other top players.
7. Burroughs girls cross country
The Indians finished second in the Pacific League behind Burbank, ending a domination by Crescenta Valley and or Arcadia, that had won the league title every year for more than a quarter century. Burroughs also went on to advance to the CIF Southern Section finals. Sophomore Jordan Guzman and freshman Sophia Navarro led the way for a team that figures to have created arguably the most competitive rivalry with Burbank High of any in the city.
6. Burbank football
The Bulldogs turned in yet another fine season, even though they lost the league title to Arcadia. Burbank won every game it was expected to win and put together a fine 7-4 campaign. Seniors Matthew Porras, Erik Harutyunyan and Duncan Smith will definitely be remembered for the mark they left at the school and all are projected to play in college.
5. Burroughs girls basketball

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

The Indians turned in another fine season in 2018, finishing with a 23-8 record and a share of the Pacific League title. The team was blessed with a solid freshmen core who are now sophomores, led by Faith Boulanger and Kayla Wrobel. This has consistently been one of the top teams in the city under veteran coach Vicky Oganyan and that doesn’t appear to be changing any time soon.
4. Burbank boys track and field

The Bulldogs captured the Pacific League dual meet title in coach Darin Wolf’s final season. Burbank counted on hurdler Sergio Aguilar, as well as a solid sprint crew led by Cole Le’au, Oladele Hospidales and Bryan David. Victor Goli led a deep and young distance running core.
3. Burroughs girls volleyball

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

The Indians had an outstanding season under coach Edwin Real. capturing the Pacific League title. Burroughs went 27-9 and reached the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section 3 playoffs, narrowly losing to eventual CIF champion Village Christian in five games. Juliana Van Loo went on to earn All-CIF honors. Burroughs figures to be strong again next year with Lydia Grote returning to lead the way.
2. Burroughs boys volleyball

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The Indians won their ninth consecutive Pacific League title under coach Joel Brinton. Burroughs also advanced to the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs, only to be eliminated by national power Loyola of Los Angeles. Diego Rosal and Cole Kaitz were the leaders for Burroughs.

1. Burbank girls cross country

Sol Fernandez

The Bulldogs won their first league title outright since 1978 and advanced to the CIF Finals, finishing 10th in Division 1. Burbank was led by senior Shalom Mejia and junior Sol Fernandez. Although this was an experienced group that will lose several top runners to graduation, there is a great group coming up replace those that will depart. Expect Burbank to be very strong again in 2019.

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.