Bulldogs Sports Notebook: Basketball Squads Get the Week Off

The Pasadena boys basketball team got off to a solid start this season with a 3-1 record highlighted by a third place finish in the Rose City Roundball Classic last weekend. The Bulldogs had no games this week, giving them plenty of time to work on any deficiencies Pasadena coach Tim Tucker saw in the team's first week.

"We're still experimenting with several different combinations of players," Tucker said.  "Some players play better with the second unit and some of our bench players might be more efficient running with the starting team."

The recent rest may pay off for the Bulldogs as they travel north next week to participate in the San Luis Obispo Christmas Classic.  They open up the tournament next Friday against Campbell Hall.

Girls basketball

The girls basketball team has shown no signs of growing pains under first-year head coach Wesley Stewart. The Bulldogs took second place in last week's Crescenta Valley Classic while senior Tyler Crockom and junior Megan Rutherford took home all-tournament honors.

"We played great in the first three games," said Stewart.  "We played strong defense which is going to be the identity of this team.  Things just fell apart in the final game.  We should have won, but inexperience cost us.  That's something that will improve as the season goes on."

The girls squad also was off this week and will also have a busy holiday season with the Ayala Tournament beginning Dec. 27.

"I'm happy with our start, but we're not satisfied," said Stewart.

Boys soccer

A promising start for the Pasadena boys soccer team has been slowed by the absence of 17-year head coach Cherif Zein who has been away from the team the last week due to a family issue.  Junior varsity coach Kendrick Watson has taken over in the interim and is hoping to improve chemistry on a team that suffered a disappointing loss to Temple City on Tuesday.

"We shouldn't get down because Temple City is a great team," said Watson.  "We've had a lot of injuries already this year and it has taken its toll."

Unfortunately the Bulldogs will have little time to nurse those injuries over the winter break with three games this week and two league games in the following week.

Girls soccer

Perhaps facing low expectations for a program with little history or past success was a blessing in disguise for first-year head coach Trevor Persson. Through three games the Bulldogs are 2-0-1 and have outscored their opponents 12-4.

"I want the girls to learn the game, but also enjoy it," said Persson before the season began. "Long term, if the girls do well and have a good time, I hope to get even more players out each year."

It would certainly be a boost to the program if the Bulldogs could carry their hot start into league play. The team plays this Wednesday at Burroughs and Friday at Glendale.

Girls water polo

The girls water polo team was off this week but travels to Sacred Heart on Monday and will host La Cañada on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m..