Crescenta Valley Suffers First Loss

PASADENA —  The Crescenta Valley High boys’ basketball team fell from the ranks of the unbeaten Friday night, losing to Pasadena, 76-74, in a Pacific League opener.

In a seesaw game dominated by go-to guys, sophomore reserve center Lucas Gladden made the biggest play, stealing the ball from Crescenta Valley’s Brock Jacobsen with 36 seconds remaining and Pasadena (12-5) clinging to a four-point lead.

Jacobsen scored a game-high 31 points, 10 in the fourth quarter.

Gladden, who scored eight points and was the only non-starter to score for either team, was making his first appearance since being promoted from the junior varsity.

But he was well aware of the significance of the victory.

“It was an experience for me,” Gladden said. “I had to step up and play a big role.”

Crescenta Valley (15-1), ranked No. 1 in The Times’ regional poll, began the season ranked ninth in the state in Division III. But after a five-week winning streak, including three tournament championships, the Falcons are in second place.

“Everyone wants to kick our butts,” Crescenta Valley Coach John Goffredo said. “I wasn’t upset with our effort; they just wore us down.”

Crescenta Valley took a 10-9 lead in the first quarter on a basket and foul shot by Jacobsen. The Falcons held the lead until Pasadena’s Feras Akroush made a free throw and David Beebe made a follow on Akroush’s ensuing missed foul shot to give the Bulldogs a 61-60 lead.

From there, the lead changed hands four times. Pasadena went ahead to stay, 69-68, on an inside basket by Gladden, who scored four points in the final quarter.

Derek Hodges, who scored 23 points, made a breakaway dunk with three minutes to play to increase the lead to 71-68.