Bulldogs

Garrett D. Uribe Although it was a loss, one of the Burbank High football team's best efforts last season came with a six-point Foothill League loss to Canyon. At the time, the Cowboys were ranked No. 3 in CIF Southern Section Division II, and the Bulldogs gave them all they could handle, as a Burbank penalty late in the fourth quarter helped lead to Canyon's winning score. On Friday, Canyon came into its league opener against the host Bulldogs ranked second in the division, and this year's installment turned out to be very different from the 2003 result.

BURBANK — Burbank High boys' tennis Coach Paul McNiff had a simple reaction after finding out his team is ranked fifth in CIF Southern Section Division II. "I think that's a generous ranking," McNiff said. The coach might be taking a low-key approach to his squad's recognition among its peers this season. However, the Bulldogs are proving that their ranking might be well deserved. Visiting Burbank disposed of Pacific League foe Glendale on Thursday, 13-5, to remain undefeated this season.

GLENDALE — It looked like Tuesday’s Pacific League girls’ basketball matchup would be the perfect contrast of offensive styles. Burbank High uses a balanced attack that is focused around star center Kendra Carter, while Hoover High’s attack runs through, around and in between stellar point guard Rachael Estrella. In the end, it was the Bulldogs’ style that won out. Burbank used an efficient attack, with four players scoring in double figures to, build up a big lead and prevail, 60-48.

TORRANCE — The Burbank High boys' basketball team was facing an uphill battle in its playoff game Friday night. Squaring-off against Bishop Montgomery — the No. 2 seed who was riding an 11-game win streak — the CIF Southern Section Division IIAA first-round contest proved to be anything but easy for the Bulldogs. With no answer for the Knights quickness and athleticism, the Bulldogs found themselves on the wrong end of a lopsided game, as they fell on the road, 83-56.

SANTA CLARITA — The Burbank High boys’ basketball team played like a team trying to prove something in its postseason opener against Golden Valley. The Bulldogs played like the squad that upset league champion Pasadena and second-place Burroughs during Pacific League play earlier in the year. Burbank didn’t play like a team that entered the CIF Southern Section Division IIAA playoffs on a four-game losing skid. The Bulldogs played well in the second half Wednesday and were able to run away with a 70-51 wild-card win at Golden Valley.

MEMORIAL FIELD -- Burbank High football Coach Greg Sobiech was not happy with the way his team went into its Foothill League game on Friday against Valencia. Fresh from a fine performance in a tough league loss to Canyon last week, Sobiech thought his players were resting too much on their accomplishment on Oct. 31, and figured the Bulldogs' reputation as a talented team would pay off. However, the Vikings were having none of that. Valencia scored two quick touchdowns and put the pressure on the Bulldogs in a 56-17 win at Memorial Field.

BURBANK HIGH — The Glendale High baseball team could do nothing right on Friday. Burbank, on the other hand, seemingly could do little wrong. The host Bulldogs pounded out 15 hits and limited the Nitros to just one hit, winning the Pacific League meeting in convincing fashion, 11-0, in a game that was called in the fifth inning due to the mercy rule. The Nitros (2-7, 1-9 in league) were unable to get any runners past second base and defensively did themselves little favors as spotty fielding did them in. Taking advantage of those mistakes, the Bulldogs (6-5, 3-1)

BURBANK HIGH — Two weeks ago, Robert Linda was scoring points and frustrating opponents as the quarterback on the Burbank High football team. This week, he has been doing the same as a senior standout on the Bulldog boys' basketball team Friday, Linda scored 13 points, grabbed four rebounds and blocked three shots to pace Burbank to a 56-41 triumph against Roosevelt in a semifinal game of the 38th annual Bulldog Tip-Off Classic in the Burbank gym. The Bulldogs (3-0)

GIRLS' BASKETBALL Valencia 60, Burbank 59: The Bulldogs had a chance to win the Foothill League game Tuesday night on he road, but they couldn't get their final shot to fall, as the Vikings came from behind to win. "Our girls really played tough," said Burbank Coach Paul Kim, whose team is 13-6, 1-1 in league. "I really thought we were going to win it, but we couldn't get the last basket." Valencia's Dayvionne Weathersby scored the game-winning basket with just under 10 seconds remaining.