By Brian PARK
CV Weekly Intern

Guard Cassie Pappas scored 27 points and had three steals as the Falcons (15-4, 5-1 in league) defeated the Burbank Bulldogs (8-10, 3-3 in league) 57-26 at Crescenta Valley on Wednesday night.
The Falcons started the game off fast, scoring seven straight points before the Bulldogs made a free throw to score their first point of the game. The Falcons kept their run going, scoring another nine points, while only allowing two, before the first quarter to bring the score to 16-3. The Falcons kept hustling to extend their lead, pushing the score to 33-10 at halftime.
“We did a great job of making the extra pass and doing the little things on the offense to get some easy baskets. We had a lot of press that led to easy lay-ups,” said Girls’ Varsity Head Coach Jason Perez.
At halftime, Burbank Head Coach Bruce Breeden mouthed off to the referees, who did not handle the insults and complaints well. Breeden earned a technical foul, starting the Falcons off with two free throws and possession of the ball.
Pappas shot the free throws, sinking both, to start the second half 35-10, a 25 point lead. Pappas was not done scoring though, scoring off a fast break lay-up from her own steal. Cassie helped destroy any hope the Bulldogs had left by scoring six points and dishing out an assist in a 10 point run.
Crescenta Valley finished the third quarter 49-20, and ended the game with their reserves who only gave up six points in the fourth quarter.
The Falcon defense was spectacular, keeping Burbank, a team that averages over 40 points a game, to 26 total points, and less than 10 points in each quarter.
“Our defense was the key in the game. Only giving up 26 points to a team that has a lot of offensive capabilities required a good defensive effort,” said Coach Perez.
The Falcons dominated the boards, stacking up seven offensive rebounds and grabbing 21 total rebounds and showing clearly that they were the more aggressive team.
“We did a really good job of boxing out and rebounding,” said Coach Perez.
With the win over Burbank, the Falcons moved to second place in the Pacific league standings, with only a loss to Muir.
The Lady Falcons have won their fourth consecutive home game and are playing league rival Arcadia High School at Crescenta Valley tomorrow.

  Pappas