Charles Rich
SOUTHEAST GLENDALE -- A calming effect never settled in for the La
Canada High girls' basketball team Thursday night.
La Canada Coach Tamar Hill said she saw the telltale signs after a
first-half timeout had been called during the Spartans' 35-24 loss to
Burroughs in a Glendale High Summer League game.
A 10-1 lead by the Spartans evaporated, and La Canada's offense
vanished inside the steamy gymnasium.
"When we had that lead, I told them they looked nonchalant," Hill
said. "I told them to pick up their intensity because Burroughs plays
with high intensity. If you relax, they will get you."
Hill sounded more like a soothsayer when she addressed her team.
Too bad Hill's players didn't follow her shrewd observation.
La Canada (8-6) failed to score for nearly eight minutes in the first
half and six minutes in the second.
"We couldn't score and we couldn't pass the ball," Hill said.
"Hopefully this will be a good reminder the rest of the way. We'll have
to remember what it takes to win, like making strong passes and playing
strong defense."
Kim Gilmour, a junior shooting guard, made a pair of three-point
baskets in the first half. That would be the last time La Canada would
hear from Gilmour on Thursday.
Burroughs (7-2) had its offense click throughout the second half,
buoyed by sophomore center Val Rico.
Rico, playing her first game since injuring her left ankle in a summer
league game in Palm Springs on June 23, scored three points and grabbed
six rebounds Thursday.
"I was a little timid in the beginning," said Rico, who broke her
right ankle in 2000. "It's about 90% healthy, but I heal real quickly. I
have no idea why I'm injury prone. I was glad that my team picked me up."
La Canada received six points apiece from Gilmour, Jena Bicknell and
Jenny Jones.
BOX SCORE
La Canada*14*10*--24
Burroughs*14*21*--35
LA CANADA-- Gilmour 6, Bicknell 6, Jones 6, Futalan 1, McCoy 3,
Beattie 2.
Three-pointers: Gilmour 2, McCoy.
BURROUGHS--Davies 4, Dumandan 2, Aguilar 2, Rankin 3, Rico 3, Coronado
9, Gaines 12.
Three-pointers: None.
