From STAFF REPORTS Pasadena isn’t just playing their best basketball, but over the past three-plus weeks, the Bulldogs are without question the area’s hottest team. Since January 5, and by no coincidence it started with the return of their star point guard Darius Brown II, PHS is 9-0, including Monday’s Pacific League road victory at […]
From STAFF REPORTS
Pasadena isn’t just playing their best basketball, but over the past three-plus weeks, the Bulldogs are without question the area’s hottest team.
Since January 5, and by no coincidence it started with the return of their star point guard Darius Brown II, PHS is 9-0, including Monday’s Pacific League road victory at Burbank by a score of 84-51.
Over that stretch, the closest game for the Bulldogs was a 16-point victory over Arcadia, and their largest was a 55-point thumping of Hoover.
Arguably the biggest reason they are on such a run is because of the balanced contributions from so many, but it’s also been the return to 100 percent (health/injuries) of DBII, Darius Mason and Tavian Percy.
Darius Mason has been incredible, and that included his first-ever triple-double on Monday.
The PHS junior had 17 points (on 8 of 11 shooting), he also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 10 assists.
It doesn’t hurt their cause that PHS is shooting so high, including at least four games over the 61% mark during the 9-game stretch.
Bryce Hamilton finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists.
The star senior made 10-of-14 shots from the field.
Tavian Percy had 20 points and 4 board for the Bulldogs.
You might look and think Darius Brown II had a slow night when you see his 6 total points for the game.
But looking deeper, he took just 5 shots and dished out 16 assists and had 3 steals, and played limited minutes in another blowout.
Brown was only four assists from the single-game record, set back in 2002.
Omari Moore chipped in 10 for PHS.
As mentioned, their torrid shooting streak continued, thanks to a 39 of 62 collective effort from the field.
PHS finished with 30 assists and 15 steals.
Jesse Watkins and Laz Morris had 4 points each and Roman Soloman and Kalonji West had 2 points apiece.
Pasadena will take on last-place Hoover (4-19, 0-10) on Wednesday night at Marshall.
We asked Darius Mason below how difficult it is to not look past the lower echelon teams in the Pacific League and knowing they are just 10 days away from the season finale at crosstown rival Muir on Feb. 6.
Quotable:
Pasadena junior Darius Mason: “It’s hard at times not to look ahead, but Coach Brooks reminds us not to overlook anyone. Even today, he told us they were coming out hard. We get everyone’s best. We’re moving the ball well and nobody’s forcing shots. Everyone’s passing to the open man, and taking shots in rhythm. I think I’m playing with confidence and playing to my strengths.”
Box Scores:
PHS: 24-20-27-13-(84)
BHS: 11-15-13-12-(51)
Records:
Pasadena (16-6, 9-1); Burbank (15-8, 5-5)
Monday’s Pacific League Scores:
Pasadena 84, Burbank 51
Muir 63, Arcadia 55
Glendale 62, Crescenta Valley 60
