Girls Basketball Still Struggling in League

The Lady Falcons’ basketball team was 12-10 overall and 4-6 in Pacific League play heading into Wednesday night’s game at Hoover. CV beat Hoover 65-28 on Jan. 11. The team suffered a tough loss last Friday at home to Burbank, 43-42.

Against the Bulldogs, it was a game of runs early on. CV led 6-2 before Burbank pushed ahead 14-8. The Falcons tied it at 17. Burbank led 22-21 at halftime.

The Falcons had 7-2 surge in the third to build a five point lead, 34-29. Guard Catherine Davis led the way, scoring four of the five points on free throws. Center Samira Seraji left the quarter with 3:52 remaining due to foul trouble, thus affecting Falcons offense.

“Our offense bogged down,” said Coach Jason Perez.

Both teams went on a scoring drought at the beginning of the final quarter. Burbank’s Damarie Gonzalez made a three-point play, scoring a basket along with free throw with 6:36 remaining for a 37-34 Bulldogs lead.

It came down to the final seconds. Davis hit a 3-pointer for a 40-39 CV lead. The Bulldogs responded with a two pointer by Gonzalez to regain the lead, before CV’s Ella Stepanian made two free throws.

But then Davis was called for a foul on the baseline trying to defend Gonzalez, who made the free throws with seven seconds remaining, and the Falcons couldn’t score on the next possession, losing 43-42.

Perez was upset at the call on Davis after the game.

“They come out and play their hardest only to lose on a blocking foul on the baseline behind the basket,” said Perez  with anger.

He continued, “It’s a questionable call, such a bad way to lose.”

CV hosts Pasadena on Friday and Muir on Tuesday. Both of those teams beat the Falcons in January. CV was sixth in the league standings as of Wednesday.