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Pasadena Bulldogs Easily Defeat Loyola, Look to Damien
Pasadena Independent Feb 20, 2018
The Pasadena Senior Center. - Courtesy photo / Pasadena Beautiful Foundation
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The Bulldogs dominated Loyola to advance in the playoffs/ Courtesy Photo Twitter @JackLama7/ (https://twitter.com/JackLama7/status/964758276951883776 )
By: Spencer Stueve
The Pasadena High School Bulldogs were the clear favorite in their opening round playoff game against Loyola last Friday. At 20-6, and with an experienced roster, beating the Bulldogs would be a challenge for any team, but for the Loyola High School Cubs, it would be an impossible task without slowing down Bulldog superstar Bryce Hamilton.
At just 14-12, the Cubs barely snuck into the playoffs, and Hamilton and the Bulldogs were determined to make their stint a short one.
The game was all Hamilton, and it was all Bulldogs. Early on, he looked to distribute the ball, but once he decided it was time to take over the scoring duties, the Cubs were helpless to stop him. Hamilton poured in points in every way, knocking in jumpers and driving to the basket with relative ease. The UNLV signee scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, but he was not alone.
Darius Brown II, along with Tavian Percy, have been perfect compliments to Hamilton all season, and last Friday, it was more of the same. While Hamilton started slow and picked up his game in the 2nd quarter, it was Brown and Percy who got the ball rolling for the Bulldogs early.
At halftime, Pasadena led 50-30, and in the 2nd half, they cruised to victory. The final score was 77-47. The Bulldogs will take on Damien High School on Tuesday. The Spartans currently sit at 24-6 overall, and like PHS, they have a star of their own. Senior Guard Cameron Shelton will head to Northern Arizona University next season to continue his career, but it is the matchup with Bryce Hamilton that will attract the eyeballs on Tuesday.
With a trip to the Final Four of the Division I playoffs on the line, it is about more than just Shelton vs. Hamilton. It is Pasadena vs. Damien, and it will be a fun one.
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