Bulldogs’ take a bite out of Apaches

Tyrek Adams scored a game-high 19 points and teammate Ajon Efferson pitched in 14 points as the visiting Pasadena High boys’ basketball team fought off a stubborn squad from Arcadia High, 54-38, on Tuesday in a CIF Southern Section Pacific League game.
Leading by just eight points, 34-26, late in the third quarter, the Bulldogs went on an 8-3 run to end the frame and take command of the game.
Pasadena then started the fourth quarter with an 8-2 run, building its lead to 48-31, en route to the victory.
Pasadena coach Tony Brooks said his team did some things that he liked.
“We shared the ball really well,” Brooks said. “I thought that we attacked the zone rather smartly, not relying on the three too much. Doing those things that it takes to get into the zone, getting those easy lay-ups and dunks. We did a much better job of it in the second half than in the first. I was really please with it.”
He added there were some areas where the Bulldogs could improve.
“I wasn’t pleased with our effort at times,” he said. “We could have played with more enthusiasm, but it’s a long season.”
Arcadia coach Ben Cordeiro said the Apaches gave Pasadena a pretty good luck.
“It was a pretty good first half,” he said. “We mixed it up. We played hard. (Pasadena) had some break aways. They scored on those. They took care of the ball and they scored when they had the opportunities.”
Cordeiro said his team just wasn’t able to attack the paint.
“I told the guys at halftime that we couldn’t settle for jumpers,” Cordeiro said. “We had to attack the basket and get to the free throw line and we didn’t do a good job of that. That’s where we got to improve.”
With the playoffs approaching, Brooks said his thinks his team is looking pretty poised.
“We’re feeling good,” Brooks said. “We’re healthy. (Efferson) was a little bit under the weather today, but other than that we’re going to be healthy and we’re going to be nailing it on all cylinders.”
(Shel Segal can be reached at ssegal@beaconmedianews.com. Follow him via Twitter @segallanded.)

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