Water Polo

SAN MARINO - A well-played championship game between the boys' water polo teams from Burbank High and El Segundo, that was decided in the final minutes, served as the grand finale for the 2012 San Marino Varsity Tournament that wrapped up Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs won the tournament last season and were in the hunt for consecutive tournament championships as they led early in the fourth quarter, but surrendered the lead seconds later to the Eagles, who never relinquished it, and went on to win, 10-9.

GIRLS' WATER POLO Burbank 16, Hoover 2 : Led by five goals apiece from Abby Glaessner and Julianna Vitigliano, the Bulldogs opened Pacific League play on Tuesday with a win. Jazmine Ellman had six saves in goal, while Ryan Bettencourt added two goals. GIRLS' BASKETBALL Burbank 58, Crescenta Valley 30 : The Bulldogs improved to 6-9 and 2-1 in the Pacific League with a blowout victory on Wednesday. BOYS' BASKETBALL Crescenta Valley 60, Burbank 54 : Despite holding a 30-18 halftime lead and a 49-40 advantage after three quarters, the Bulldogs lost Wednesday's Pacific League game as they were held to just five points in the fourth quarter.

Usually, the Burroughs High boys' water polo team has flourished during the second half of its matches throughout the season. It played a large role in the Indians qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons. Unfortunately for the Indians, the pattern didn't continue Wednesday afternoon during a CIF Southern Section Division V first-round match against host Riverside Poly. Burroughs mustered just one second-half goal and saw its season conclude with a 12-5 defeat.

Following their respective journeys through the arduous Pacific League, both the Burbank High and Burroughs boys' water polo teams have earned trips to the CIF postseason. Upon the release Sunday of the CIF Southern Section Division V playoff pairings, though, the Indians and Bulldogs will take far different paths. Ending up on opposite ends of the bracket, the Bulldogs, having taken second in league and taken up a spot in the division's top 10 for much of the season, will host Arlington on Wednesday in the first round.

PASADENA - Throw together a furious rally, a fired-up winner, an angry loser, a malfunctioning scoreboard and a long match and the opening to the Pacific League boys' water polo season couldn't have commenced any wackier. Oh, and that's not even mentioning host Pasadena High kicked off league play with a thrilling, 14-13, overtime upset win versus league contender Burbank, which entered Tuesday afternoon ranked eighth in Division V of the CIF Southern Section. “This is an amazing win because we're not as deep as Burbank.

BURROUGHS HIGH - The Burroughs High girls' water polo team was able to accomplish a rare feat Tuesday afternoon in its Pacific League opener against Arcadia. Behind a spirited defense effort, led by goalkeeper Ahsha Earwood and defender Aliya Ehde, the Indians didn't allow a goal in the match. Although their offense started slowly, the Indians were able to pick up the pace and the end result was a 9-0 victory at home. "We wanted to come out super strong in this game and show the rest of the league what we're made of," Burroughs Coach Danny Garcia said.

It was a long and short postseason for the Burroughs High girls' water polo team. The long part came when the Indians had to travel to Lompoc on Wednesday to take on host Cabrillo in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division V playoffs. The short part ended up being Burroughs' longevity in the playoffs. Despite a huge effort by their goalkeeper. the Indians suffered a 7-2 loss to the Conquistadors. In the loss, Burroughs received 21 saves from senior All-CIF goalie Ahsha Earwood.

The Burroughs High boys' water polo team has promised a trip to the playoffs. Burbank, the Indians' crosstown rival, has guaranteed a disciplined and strengthened program. The Indians and Bulldogs are full of optimism heading into the season, with Burroughs eyeing a postseason berth for the first time in eight years and Burbank refueling under first-year Coach Kristina Garcia. Burroughs Coach Danny Garcia - no relation to his Burbank counterpart - provided his thoughts about the fate of both programs.

It was a long and short postseason for the Burroughs High girls' water polo team. The long part came when the Indians had to travel to Lompoc on Wednesday to take on host Cabrillo in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division V playoffs. The short part ended up being Burroughs' longevity in the playoffs. Despite a huge effort by their goalkeeper. the Indians suffered a 7-2 loss to the Conquistadors. In the loss, Burroughs received 21 saves from senior All-CIF goalie Ahsha Earwood.

Despite finishing second in the Pacific League behind the CIF Southern Section Division V tournament's top seed in Crescenta Valley High, Burroughs did not exactly get a favorable draw when Sunday's playoff pairings were released. But Indians Coach Danny Garcia finds himself “pretty happy” with playing Los Padres League champion Lompoc Cabrillio in the first round on Wednesday at 5 p.m., but was disappointed that it will be on the road. “I kinda assumed we would be home because we played at home last year after we finished second,” said Garcia, whose Indians were one of four second-place teams out of six in the division that got road matches.

BOYS' BASKETBALL Burroughs 53, Burbank 44 : The Indians came from behind in the fourth quarter to earn a Pacific League victory at Burbank. It was the first win by Indians Coach Adam Hochberg against his cross-town rival in his three years at the school. Despite the loss, Burbank (15-12, 7-7 in league) finishes fourth in league and earns the final automatic playoff berth. Burroughs (15-11, 5-9) will apply for an at-large berth. “That's what we were playing for - to try and improve our record and hopefully get into the playoffs,” Hochberg said.

BOYS' SOCCER Burroughs 2, Glendale 1 : The Indians remained in first place in the Pacific League with a victory Friday on the road. Noberto Alcantar scored two second-half goals to lead the Indians (10-5-2, 7-2). Burbank 3, Arcadia 2 : The Bulldogs kept themselves in the playoff mix with a Pacific League win Friday on the road. However, Burbank (3-4-2 in league) had to score three straight goals after spotting the Apaches two goals in the first nine minutes of the game.

BURBANK - The Glendale High and Burroughs girls' water polo teams were entrenched in a defensive battle in the opening minutes of Thursday's Pacific League first-place matchup, with the Nitros limiting the Indians to a single shot attempt in the first quarter. But while the Burroughs shooters were finding it difficult to score, the Indians could take solace in the fact that they had All-CIF Southern Section standout Ahsha Earwood in goal. They were just hoping Earwood could keep them in the game until the offense found its rhythm.

BURBANK - It was not too long ago that the Burroughs High girls water polo team was in the same boat that Pasadena finds itself this season. The Bulldogs have a young team with just four seniors. The squad is still finding its way and still developing as a unit. The Indians are young as well, but they do have a few key experienced players from last season's CIF Southern Section Division V quarterfinal squad. That experience was evident Tuesday in a Pacific League match against host Pasadena.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL Burroughs 62, Crescenta Valley 16 : The Indians remained undefeated and in first place in the Pacific League win a win Friday at home. Aysia Shellmire had 26 points, Sidney Ortega added 10 and Davina Del Castillo had 11 rebounds for Burroughs (15-2, 4-0 in league). Burbank 58, Crescenta Valley 30 : The Bulldogs coasted to a Pacific League win with a blowout victory on Wednesday. Burroughs 61 Pasadena 36 : Aysia Shellmire had 29 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks Wednesday to help pace the Indians to an easy Pacific League win. Davina Del Castillo had 15 rebounds and Jakarra Waddell had seven rebounds for Burroughs.

BURROUGHS HIGH - The Burroughs High and Burbank girls' water polo teams were untested in their respective Pacific League openers Tuesday. The results were two lopsided victories. The Indians and Bulldogs braced for a bigger challenge when the squads met Thursday in their annual rivalry showdown. Burroughs overcame a sluggish start and began to dominate after the first five minutes. The Indians built a lead and goalkeeper Ahsha Earwood kept the Bulldogs from mounting any kind of a comeback in securing a 10-4 victory at Burroughs.

GIRLS' WATER POLO Burbank 16, Hoover 2 : Led by five goals apiece from Abby Glaessner and Julianna Vitigliano, the Bulldogs opened Pacific League play on Tuesday with a win. Jazmine Ellman had six saves in goal, while Ryan Bettencourt added two goals. GIRLS' BASKETBALL Burbank 58, Crescenta Valley 30 : The Bulldogs improved to 6-9 and 2-1 in the Pacific League with a blowout victory on Wednesday. BOYS' BASKETBALL Crescenta Valley 60, Burbank 54 : Despite holding a 30-18 halftime lead and a 49-40 advantage after three quarters, the Bulldogs lost Wednesday's Pacific League game as they were held to just five points in the fourth quarter.

BURROUGHS HIGH - The Burroughs High girls' water polo team was able to accomplish a rare feat Tuesday afternoon in its Pacific League opener against Arcadia. Behind a spirited defense effort, led by goalkeeper Ahsha Earwood and defender Aliya Ehde, the Indians didn't allow a goal in the match. Although their offense started slowly, the Indians were able to pick up the pace and the end result was a 9-0 victory at home. "We wanted to come out super strong in this game and show the rest of the league what we're made of," Burroughs Coach Danny Garcia said.