First published in the Feb. 19 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
For the first time in a decade, the Burbank High School varsity girls’ basketball team advanced to a CIF-SS Division 3A quarterfinal game after defeating visiting Rowland High of Rowland Heights, 48-37, in a second-round matchup on Wednesday evening.
With the victory, the Bulldogs (14-7 overall record) will travel to Shadow Hills High in Indio (23-3 overall) Saturday. Shadow Hills, the Desert Empire League co-champion, is a perfect 10-0 at home this season. If Burbank wins, it will advance to Wednesday’s semifinals to meet either Encino Holy Martyrs Armenian (21-5 overall) or Santa Clarita Trinity Classical Academy (18-9 overall).
Burbank High School’s basketball victory was cheered on by Emily Levin (front, from left), Sierra Brogmus, Nicole Hahn and Lina Tahmasian. Back: Aviah Priestley, Ruth Wilson, Jasmine Im, Kate Roarke, Alaleh Dolatshahi, Danielle Roarke and Samantha Reyes.
“It feels great. It’s the first time in probably 10 years,” Burbank associate head coach Kristopher Jabourian said. “I strive to be like them. They work hard in the gym, in the classroom, outside of the gym, they are very driven and it’s all them. I just give them a little road and they decide to follow it.”
Junior Karen Casillas was terrific on the glass, collecting 23 of the Bulldogs’ 52 rebounds, while also adding 10 points to finish with a double-double. Senior Tabitha Cruz also registered a double-double by amassing a team-high 14 points and 12 boards.
“Karen has been our stud all year. She’s in the gym at 5 a.m. and out the gym at 5 p.m. — that’s just the type of girl she is,” Jabourian said. “Tabitha is a senior stud. When you find a passion that you really love and truly care about and you have the right people surrounding you, you shine.”
Burbank finished the first quarter with a 10-7 deficit but flipped the script in the second quarter. The close battle quickly turned lopsided as the Bulldogs went on an 18-3 scoring run to end the half. Stellar defense by Burbank sent Rowland on an eight-minute scoring drought between the first and second quarters.
“My coaching staff did a great, great job scouting this team,” Jabourian said. “They gave me all the ins and outs. I watched film one time and understood everything they were talking about. They get the credit on that one.”
Senior Emily Megerdichian was hot behind the arc after draining two baskets during the second-quarter scoring run. In the third quarter, she added a third 3-pointer to finish with nine points while adding a team-high five assists and four rebounds.
Senior Alle Tarvirdi also had a terrific evening, nearly racking up a double-double by posting seven points and 11 rebounds.
“It was her best game today,” Jabourian said. “She showed why she should be on that court at all times.”
Senior Christina Ohanians finished with five points, two boards, two assists and two steals, while junior Rheanna O’Campo made her lone basket behind the arc. Junior Shelby Cribbs and sophomore Nikaela Damasen finished with one rebound and one assist, respectively.
BULLDOGS 39, FOOTHILL TECH 25
Burbank earned a first-round playoff victory by defeating host Ventura Foothill Tech on Saturday, Feb. 12, as Casillas and Ohanians led with 15 and 11 points, respectively. Megerdichian scored six points, Tarvirdi collected five points and Cruz recorded two points.
