News and Announcements
(12/11/09) AGBU High School – Pasadena Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball Teams Defeat AGBU/Canoga Park Before Standing-Room Only Crowd
Loud and Intense rivalry games mark historic, first-ever CIF basketball games between 2 AGBU Schools.
The week was marked rivalry-week and after a series of events promoting the basketball games against AGBU/Canoga Park, the countdown had ended and the time to play basketball had arrived. The night turned out to be a historic moment in
AGBU
High School
–
Pasadena
athletics history.
During the week, students posted flyers around campus and two students (Greg Aivazian and Andy Ketsoyan) produced a video publicizing the rivalry. Student council made t-shirts promoting Spartans Spirit, and organized a motivational pep rally before the tripleheader kicked off. At the rally, our cheer team energized our student body with several acrobatic stunts.
Our boys junior varsity played the first of three games. The game was a well played game between the two schools. Senior Avedis Terzian scored 20 points and Sophomore Alex Moukhtarian added 15 points as the game went back and forth. AGBU/Canoga Park made 4 free throws in the fourth quarter and hung on for a 48-43 victory.
Our JV fell to 0-2 on the season. They will practice on Monday, December 14 in preparation for their next game, on Tuesday, December 15 at Ferrahian.
The girls game was up next. For two months, the girls worked hard to prepare for their sister school rivals. Our girls team is young (no player older than 10th grade), but the team is a determined group.
AGBU/Canoga Park is known as a highly regarded girls basketball program. In February, the Titans reached the CIF Division 6AA Final 4. A few of their players graduated, but their returning players are strong enough that they are one of the top teams in the Westside League.
The girls game started off as a defensive slugfest, with both teams playing intense defense. Freshman Nanor Babian scored 13 first-half points, as our Spartans went into halftime with a 21-19 deficit. Five different Titans scored in the 3rd quarter as they stretched their lead to 33-25 heading into the fourth quarter.
Despite the deficit, our girls refused to succumb. Using an intense, full-court defense, our girls got back into the game. Babian scored 12 of her school-record 27 points in the fourth quarter as our Spartans went on a 20-6 run and pulled out a 45-39 victory. In the final quarter, Babian made a clutch three point basket and 5 free throws.
Sophomore Captain Talin Manoukian scored all 8 of her points in the second half. Sophomores Karine Yeterian (Captain), Mireille Keuroghlian, and Talar Habeshian all won praise for their outstanding defensive. The game was truly a team effort.
“Anything is possible when you work hard and believe in yourself, “ said Coach Viken Karapetian.
“The girls played amazing tonight. They refused to lose. We have amazing heart, and the result was a historic victory.”
The boys game was the final match of the night. AGBU/Canoga Park came into the game with an impressive 5-1 record, but our boys felt confident, playing in front of their home crowd. Dating back to last season, our varsity team had an 11-0 record at home.
The game opened up with both teams matching highlight plays. The game was intense and physical. Senior Captain Hagop Donikian scored 12 of his game-high 16 points in the first half, as our Spartans went into intermission with a 19-17 lead.
In the 3rd quarter, the Spartans went early and often to Senior Allen Kazangian, who scored 8 points as our Spartans went on a 12-7 run and took a 31-24 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Senior Captain Jack Terzian made a spectacular three point play that inspired a standing ovation. Terzian scored 8 of his 10 points in the fourth quarter.
With a three point lead and 3 seconds remaining, Kazangian made two clutch free throws and our Spartans finished with a 47-42 victory. Kazangian scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half.
“What a night!” exclaimed Karapetian. “I’m so proud of our boys and girls. We left everything on the court. We made our school proud. Go Spartans!!!”
With the victory, both our boys and girls varsity teams improved to 3-1 on the season. Next game for both teams: Tuesday, December 15 at Ferrahian.
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