Erik Boal
PASADENA -- Errol Garnett said before Pacific League play started that
behind Muir and Crescenta Valley, he thought his Glendale High girls'
basketball squad was the third-best team in the league.
But whether that claim holds true following Thursday's regular-season
finale against Hoover still remains to be seen.
Despite getting 18 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks from Arpi
Babakhanian and holding a 13-point first-half lead, the Nitros missed out
on a golden opportunity to strengthen their grip on third place with
Friday night's 57-53 loss at Pasadena High.
"We didn't play like we needed this game to go to the playoffs," said
Garnett, whose squad (9-15, 3-5 in league) dropped into a third-place tie
with Hoover (6-13, 3-5), which posted a 44-36 victory against Arcadia
(11-9, 2-6).
"You could never tell by the kind of effort we put forth, or by the
number of mistakes we made or by the number of times we failed to box out
that this was a game we had to win.
"Talent wise, we should have won this game, but if the girls don't
come out and play, then I don't know what to do."
For the first 14 minutes of the game, Glendale appeared like it was
ready to take it to Pasadena (7-13, 2-6), leading, 27-14, following
Nicole Chividjian's layup.
But the Bulldogs closed the half on a 9-1 run, and after the teams
traded baskets for most of the third quarter, they finally took a 37-34
lead with 1:05 left.
And despite having Anika Hartounian -- who finished with 11 points,
seven rebounds and four steals -- and Babakhanian both on the bench with
four fouls, Glendale was tied at 47 with 3:39 remaining.
But Pasadena made eight of 12 free throws in the final 3:26 and
despite a three-pointer by Anasheh Babakhanian with 22 seconds left to
pull the Nitros within, 55-53, Garnett's squad couldn't pull another
close one out like it did Tuesday against Arcadia.
"We can't wait until the fourth quarter to play with a sense of
urgency," Garnett said.
"Because some of those games you'll win, like Arcadia, and others
you'll lose, like Pasadena."
BOX SCORE
Glendale*16*12*10*15*--*53
Pasadena*8*15*18*16*--*57
GLENDALE -- Ar. Babakhanian 18, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks, Hartounian
11, 7 rebounds and 4 steals, An. Babakhanian 9 and 5 assists, Danyelian
5, Chividjian 4, Shahverdian 4, 7 rebounds and 5 steals, Gupilan 2.
* Three-pointers: An. Babakhanian.
PASADENA -- Kegley 17, Pulley 15, Henry 11, 9 rebounds and 4 steals,
Tucker 5 and 11 rebounds, Peterson 4 and 5 assists, Vine 3, Valentine 2.
* Three-pointers: Kegley.
