Hoover Can’t Take Broom to Falcons

GLENDALE —  Crescenta Valley High snapped a two-game losing streak and climbed back into the Pacific League boys’ basketball race with an 87-73 victory over Hoover on Friday night.

The visiting Falcons (16-6, 4-3 in league play), who lost their league opener to Hoover at Crescenta Valley three weeks ago, prevented a repeat performance by dominating the boards and consistently beating the Tornadoes (12-9, 5-2) to loose balls.

The Falcons’ aggressiveness led to senior guard Jake Willis fouling out midway through the fourth quarter. But by that time, Crescenta Valley, in third place behind Muir and Hoover, had a 73-56 lead and had stifled a third-quarter run by the Tornadoes.

“We could not lose this game,” said Willis, who had 18 points and 11 assists. “If we lost, we would have been in jeopardy of not making the playoffs.”

Nathan Sinning had 21 points and Mike Greco added 19 points and 13 rebounds for the Falcons. Sophomore guard Kenneth Pritchett added 19 points.

Crescenta Valley, which dropped games last week to Muir and Arcadia, assumed a permanent lead in the game’s first minute and extended the advantage to 18-12 after one quarter and 41-27 at halftime.

Hoover began the second half with a 16-8 run that included three-point baskets by Arbi Baghdasarian and Eric Jenkins, who scored 19 points for the Tornadoes. But Crescenta Valley got a second wind when Pritchett made a steal and a layup, and Willis followed with a three-pointer.

“Jake Willis, the last two games, has performed so well,” Crescenta Valley Coach John Goffredo said. “That’s been the difference.

“I think opening league and losing rattled us a little bit. This puts us back in it.”

Willis, who fouled out for the second time this season, said Crescenta Valley began the season unprepared for much-improved Hoover, which beat Muir twice.

“That first game showed us they could play,” Willis said.

This time, it was Crescenta Valley’s turn.

“They out-toughed us,” Hoover Coach Kirt Kohlmeier said.