Hamlet Nalbandyan
Consider Fred Babadjanians one of the unlucky ones.
The Glendale High girls' basketball coach has heard all about
Hoover's Arpa Gregorian's troubles on the court, but the first-year
coach has yet to see it first-hand.
For the second time this season, Gregorian found ways to punish
the Nitros in a 42-30 victory at Hoover High in the Pacific League
finale for both.
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BOX SCORE
*--*
*--*
Glendale 8 6 10 6 -- 30
Hoover 10 8 13 11 -- 42
*--*
*--*
GLENDALE
Danyalian 12 and 4 assists, Chividjian 6 and 10 rebounds, Lockhart 3,
Hambarchian 3, Donikyan 2, Houspian 2, Haghverdian 2. *
Three-pointers: Danyalian, Hambarchian
HOOVER
Gregorian 27 and 13 rebounds, Arutyunyan 7 and 4 assists, An 4 and 4
assists, As. Witkop 2, 14 rebounds and 5 steals, Brink 2. *
Three-pointers: Arutyunyan, An
*--*
The senior center, who has fouled out of nearly half of Hoover's
games and caused plenty of headaches for Coach Jack Van Patten and
his staff, scored a season-high 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.
But what was more impressive was that she played all 32 minutes,
which was bad news for Babadjanians and co.
"Every time I've seen her play, she's been focused and done what
she's needed to do to help her team win," said Babadjanians, whose
team allowed 18 points to Gregorian the first time in a 60-58
setback.
"Whenever she comes to play and gets the job done, they win. She's
that type of an impact player."
Gregorian's performance was just icing on the cake for Hoover,
which earned the necessary wins needed to apply for an at-large berth
into the CIF Southern Section Division IA playoffs.
Van Patten couldn't remember the last time the Tornadoes (11-15,
4-6 in league) had qualified for the playoffs, but some at the school
believe it has been at least a decade.
But even with the possible playoff-clinching win, the talk after
the game was Gregorian's rare phenomenal performance.
"She was in her comfort zone, and we just went to her all night,"
said Van Patten of the foul-prone Gregorian, who hit nine of 15 from
the field and nine of 14 from the free-throw line.
Glendale's Sevana Danyalian did her best to keep the Nitros (5-16,
2-8) in it.
The senior guard scored a team-high 12 points and had four
assists, as the Nitros remained within striking distance for much of
the game.
But Gregorian's play, coupled with the hustle of sophomore Ashlie
Witkop (14 rebounds and five steals) proved too much to overcome.
