By: Spencer Stueve
The Pasadena High School Bulldogs basketball team, led by Head Coach Tony Brooks, had another brilliant season in 2017-2018, and it’s not over.
On November 28, the Bulldogs began their season with a win over Eagle Rock High School, beating them 73-31. It was a sign of things to come. Pasadena would finish the regular season with a 20-6 record, finishing 13-1 in Pacific League action, and claiming the league title over rival John Muir. Winning league is nothing new to the Bulldogs. It is their 12th consecutive league championship. The success of the PHS basketball team is all the more impressive when you consider that they have no home gym this season. Due to renovations, they played the entire season on the road.
Leading the way for the Bulldogs is Senior Bryce Hamilton. The 6’4” 170 pound shooting guard is committed to play college basketball at UNLV. Hamilton averaged 20.9 points per game this season, leading the team, but he was certainly not alone. Darius Brown II, Darius Mason, Tavian Percy, and Omari Moore also had fine seasons for the Bulldogs.
Despite the strong record, the league title, and 13 game winning streak to end the regular season, Pasadena High School was not selected to participate in the Open Division playoffs. The Open Division was created to place the best teams in the playoff bracket, regardless of size of school or division they participate. In 2018, the Open Division shrunk from 16 teams to eight, and the Bulldogs were one of the ones left out.
Still, their season is not over. They will compete in the Division I playoff bracket. In the opening round, the Bulldogs have a bye. They will face the winner of the game between Redondo Union and Loyola High School on Friday, February 16.
