Bulldogs

GIRLS' SOCCER Burbank 5, Glendale 0 : The Bulldogs remained unbeaten in the Pacific League with a win Friday at home. Anabel Gonzalez scored two goals to pace Burbank (6-0-4 in league). GIRLS' BASKETBALL Burroughs 52, Pasadena 33 : The Indians remained in first place in the Pacific League with a home win Friday. The Indians have a two-game lead over Muir with four league games remaining. Chelsea Rhamdeow led the way Friday, scoring 19 points.

BOYS' BASKETBALL Mission Viejo 41, Burbank 39 : The Bulldogs had one of their best efforts of the season in a losing effort Wednesday against the host Diablos in a first-round game of the CIF Southern Section Division II-AA playoffs. Mission Viejo (26-1) came into the game with just one loss on the season, was the No. 2 seed and captured the South Coast League Championship. Burbank (16-12) earned an at-large berth into the playoffs after tying for fourth place in the Pacific League.

The Burbank High girls' volleyball team was hoping to ride the momentum of an opening-round win in the CIF Southern Section playoffs two days earlier when it took part in a second-round contest Thursday. But the Bulldogs faced a big task in the form of No. 2 seed Whittier Christian, which was hosting the Division II-A match. The Heralds proved too much for Burbank to handle, as the Bulldogs went down in defeat, 25-10, 25-10, 25-19, ending their season. "That team hit harder and they played faster than any team we played against this season," Burbank Coach Sarah Brown said.

VALENCIA — With its scoring inefficiencies, the Burbank High football team has small margin for error. So when it committed bad snaps, fumbles, missed field goals and an interception, the Bulldogs ran through a series of problems Friday against host West Ranch. The Wildcats turned those miscues into touchdowns and the Bulldogs absorbed a 41-7 nonleague loss at Valencia High. Burbank (1-1) committed five errors that led to eventual touchdowns, including three in the opening half, as West Ranch went ahead, 21-0, at halftime.

GLENDALE — Looking for their first Pacific League victories, the Glendale High and Burbank girls’ basketball teams were embroiled in a tight battle through three quarters Friday. While both squads took turns holding the lead, neither the Nitros nor Bulldogs could generate much breathing room through the first three stanzas. However, that changed in the fourth, when Glendale went cold and Burbank was able to finally take advantage of a host of opportunities. As a result, the Bulldogs held on for a 45-42 victory.

Although she is a senior at Burbank High, Melanie Fielder will remain a Bulldog for a few more years. A standout club girls’ soccer player who is about to begin her fourth season on the varsity squad, Fielder has already made her college choice. She has made a commitment to Drake University, a Division I school in Des Moines, Iowa. Coincidently, Drake’s mascot is also the Bulldogs. “Drake even has the same blue and white colors as Burbank,” Fielder said.

A season removed from finishing last in the Pacific League, out of the playoffs and incurring CIF sanctions, the Burbank High boys' soccer team showcased just how far it has come - at least in the eyes of first-year Coach Loi Phan. "It was great soccer, it was a great way to end," said Phan shortly after his Bulldogs lost to host John Glenn, 2-1, in double-overtime on Tuesday afternoon in the wild-card round of the CIF Southern Section Division IV tournament. "I told the seniors, if you're gonna lose, this is the way you want to go out. " John Glenn (11-6-3)

BURBANK - Burbank High's softball team and Coach Nicole Drabecki believe they have a legitimate shot to contend for a Pacific League championship this season. However, as opponents have discovered for almost a decade and a half, winning a league title has to go through Crescenta Valley. The Falcons have earned that respect, having won or shared 13 of the last 14 league crowns. The Bulldogs gave credence to their championship quest with a dramatic come-from-behind victory Thursday at McCambridge Park.

PASADENA — Though both schools still have a game remaining this season, Friday's Pacific League contest between the Burbank High and Muir football teams carried some weight as far as staying in the hunt for a postseason spot. And despite bringing a three-game losing streak and trailing for most of the game to the ranked opponent, the Bulldogs rallied back in the final minute to secure a thrilling 35-34 win on the road. Burbank senior running back Herman Castro shredded the defense for three touchdowns and 139 rushing yards on 10 carries.

THOUSAND OAKS — The Burbank High softball team isn't very representative of a typical No. 3 league squad in the CIF Southern Section playoffs. The Bulldogs were in the hunt for the Pacific League championship until the final regular-season game and although they tied Crescenta Valley for second place, they went into the playoffs as the third seed. La Reina, which captured the Tri-Valley League title after defeating powerhouse Oaks Christian, found out once again how formidable Burbank can be in a Division III game Thursday.

BURBANK - The Burbank High baseball program was definitely headed in the right direction when it captured its first league championship in 22 years this past season. However, the Bulldogs graduated 16 seniors, and if the winning is to continue, Burbank is going to have to do that with a crop of fresh faces next season. Some of those young players are getting the chance to gain some much-needed experience playing in the Valley Invitational Baseball League. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, when they took on the Cleveland Rojos on Friday evening in a VIBL game, four players were missing.

Spring football is all about filling spots, assessing talent and beginning to build the makings of a team. At least that's what spring football provided this year for the Burroughs High and Burbank football teams, as spring practices concluded last week. With returning coaches and established systems, the Indians and Bulldogs picked up just where they left off when the season concluded in the fall. PHOTOS: Burroughs vs. Burbank spring football However, there was no spring football at Bellarmine-Jefferson.

It's been a pretty successful year in the Brooks household as far as sports are concerned. In the fall season, senior Tyler Brooks was named the Pacific League Player of the Year in girls' volleyball at Burbank High. Not to be outdone, her little sister, Caitlyn, earned her own accolades during the softball season. A force as a pitcher as well as a terror at the plate, Caitlyn Books, a sophomore, was recognized as this season's Pacific League Player of the Year. "When my sister found out that I won it she was so excited for me," Caitlyn Brooks said.

BURBANK - In command with a huge lead entering the seventh inning, things appeared in order for the Burbank High softball team to extend its season. The Bulldogs were in control with ace pitcher Caitlyn Brooks in the circle and three outs from victory. They then encountered trouble before seeing their season come to a close in heartbreaking fashion. PHOTOS: Burbank softball in CIF second-round softball game   Second-seeded Burbank yielded five runs in the seventh and two in the eighth en route to an 8-7 home loss to Sunny Hills on Tuesday in a CIF Southern Section Division III second-round contest at McCambridge Park.

A two-run lead was nice to have, but not comfortable enough for Katie Hooper and her teammates on the Burbank High softball team. Hooper made sure her team was comfortable in the final inning of Thursday's CIF Southern Section Division III first-round playoff game against El Rancho. PHOTOS: Burbank High softball advances in playoffs by beating El Rancho High The senior blasted a three-home home run over the left-field fence in the bottom of the sixth inning and sophomore pitcher Caitlyn Brooks shut down the Dons in the seventh inning with her 13th, 14th and 15th strikeouts, giving the Bulldogs a 7-2 victory at McCambridge Park.

BURBANK - Chris Okimoto understands the role of being the No. 9 hitter in a fluid lineup. It's a role he doesn't take lightly while also playing a steady second base for the Burbank High baseball team. Okimoto showed he can produce in the last spot in the lineup, as he finished with a team-high three hits to help host Burbank to a 7-4 victory against Cajon on Tuesday night in a CIF Southern Section Division II wild-card game. Burbank (18-8) will meet host Arroyo Grande in a first-round at 3:15 p.m. Friday.

BURBANK - A jubilant group of Burbank High baseball team met pitcher Ricky Perez on the mound shortly after he recorded a strikeout that secured a 4-1 victory against rival Burroughs on Friday. With the win, the Bulldogs clinched a share of the Pacific League title - the program's first since 1991. With equally high stakes in the other dugout, a disappointed Indians' squad saw their league-title hopes squandered, despite matching the Bulldogs' will in a well-played game at Burroughs.

BURBANK - Having wrapped up the Pacific League championship last week, the Burbank High softball team could have afforded a loss in its season finale Thursday. However, the Bulldogs had plenty to play for. Along with the chance to finish the league undefeated, the Bulldogs were also trying to hold on to their No. 2 ranking in CIF Southern Section Division III. There was also a little motivation to beat their cross-town rival Burroughs. Behind a fine pitching performance, as well as a solid outing at the plate, from sophomore Caitlyn Brooks, who tossed a one-hitter, Burbank was able to complete its perfect Pacific League campaign with a 9-0 victory against the Indians at Olive Park.

It was a struggle for the Burroughs High and Burbank boys' golf teams Monday in the first round of CIF Southern Section play. Neither team was able to qualify out of the CIF Southern Section Northern Team Divisional at Soule Park Golf Club in Ojai. While the Indians finished 15th out of the 19 teams that took part with a team total of 424, the Bulldogs placed 19th with a 453. The team competition was won my Westlake, which carded a 360. It was followed by Oaks Christian with a 375 and Arcadia out of the Pacific League, which had a 376. Burroughs was paced by Patrick Colvert and Sivakorn Losakul, who both fired nine-over-par 81s. They were followed by Daniel Kesicbasian with an 83, Sean White with an 89 and Dylan McNeely with a 90. The top scorers for Burbank were Brady Dunayer and Andy Chung, who both had 85s. Teammate Jason Apinchapong had an 89, Jason Tatka also had an 89 and Grant Le had a 105. Crescenta Valley's Paul Park finished second overall with a two-under-par 70. The Falcons placed 17th with a 445.

When the CIF Southern Section boys' volleyball playoffs get going Tuesday, the city of Burbank will be well represented. Burbank, Burroughs and Providence all earned berths to the postseason when the CIF Southern Section playoff pairings were released Saturday morning. The Bulldogs and Indians will participate in Division II, while the Pioneers are in Division V. No area team has enjoyed more postseason success the last two seasons than has Burroughs, which advanced to the Division III finals in 2011 and the semifinals in 2012.