Pasadena suffered a rare loss in the Pacific League last week, dropping one to Burbank, 59-56. It was only the Bulldogs’ second loss in 84 Pacific League games. Pasadena beat Crescenta Valley, 57-54, just days before to clinch at least a share of the Pacific League championship. Perhaps wrapping up a share of the crown is why the Bulldogs came out lax. “We never looked like we were ready for the game,” Pasadena coach Tim Tucker said. “We missed 10 free throws, seven layups, and it took its toll. But we lost to a good team that’s in second place. There’s no shame in that. They were posed to try to go undefeated (in league) so they can have some momentum going into the playoffs. It’s hard to stay undefeated year after year. Sometimes a loss is a win, and we didn’t lose bad. We just lost. There’s no panic in this camp. They (Burbank) were a better team and hit a better shot. It was their night to win the game. If losing gets us focused and working hard then it was worth it.” Pasadena (18-6, 11-1) hosts Burroughs (4-21, 3-9) at 5 today and then closes the season at home against Muir (9-14, 4-8). A Pasadena win or a Burbank loss gives the Bulldogs an outright league championship, their sixth in a row. Burbank has a slim chance and would need to win its next two games and hope PHS loses both of theirs. “These games coming up are important not just to win the league outright but because of playoff placement,” said Tucker, who’s Bulldogs are ranked No. 2 in the CIF-SS Division 2A. Pasadena won’t have a walk in the park against Muir on Thursday as the Mustangs try to muscle their way into the playoffs. “They have a lot to gain,” Tucker said. “In the second half of league you’ve seen everybody and teams make adjustments. They’re fighting and we have to come prepared. We have to treat it like a championship game.”
As for the playoffs, the Bulldogs are hoping to break their spell of second-round exits the last two seasons to Arroyo Valley and Long Beach Poly. It should be noted, however, that Pasadena was playing in Division 1-AA. Three years ago, the Bulldogs won the Division 2A championship before getting bumped up. Pasadena had a loaded team last year, but got cold when it mattered most. Despite a young team that features only one true player (George Toyama) who was part of last year’s team, Tucker has high expectations. “We like the position we’re in,” he said. “We don’t want to go out in the second round and we don’t want to be upset. If we don’t get to the finals it just won’t be a successful season.” Tucker is hoping for the perfect storm: luck, talent and hunger. “You have to hope you get a bracket where you get a game that’s not 100 miles away.” You recall when Pasadena drove a long way to lose to Perris, 64-62, the year before winning it all. “We lost that game to the bus ride,” quipped Tucker. “The ride was longer than the game itself.” … Tucker continues: “Then talent kicks in and after that how bad you want it. The teams I’ve taken to the finals have been focused and had the right mentality.” Tucker is hoping the Bulldogs catch fire just in the nick of time to make it five CIF-SS finals.
