Boys Basketball: It's CIF-SS finals or bust for Pasadena
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.
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
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hey miguel,
do you think that Blair will turn in the paper work to be an at large team this year?
what area team do you think will will the most games during the basketball playoffs?
La Canada - out by the 3rd round
TC - out by the 2nd round
Monrovia - 1 and done
Pasadena - Out by the 3rd round
Burbank - out by the 2nd round
Arcadia - 1 and done
Maranatha - out by the 2nd round
Flintridge Prep - may be the area's best bet. Chance to win 3 games
Poly - depends on the draw - may win 3 games
Rio Hondo - out by the 3rd round
Renaissance - maybe the best chance.
Keppel - out by 2nd round
La Salle - out by 3rd round
Did I miss anyone?
This Pasadena team is definitely not like the years past. Losing to Burbank who Pasadena beat by 30 the first time around is unexcusable, teams make agjustments second time around but Pasadena just has too much talent.Tucker needs to get his guys playing harder and smarter or they will be done early in the playoffs. Oh and beating Burroughs by 1 the first time, they better beat them by at least 20 if they think they are going to make some noise. Burroughs has won like 4 or 5 games all year, there like Marshall of Pasadena,Tuck its time to have a good week and have your boys play solid defense and make the easy plays.