Valencia Still Not Ready at Prime Time

One game into its second season on the varsity level, Valencia High is still looking for its first Foothill League boys’ basketball victory after falling to Burbank, 62-51, on Friday night at Valencia.

The Vikings were 0-10 in league last season, but had high hopes this year after an 11-3 preseason.

But an experienced Burbank team overcame a dismal shooting performance with its poise.

“The only difference between us and Burbank is their poise,” Valencia Coach Gary Spindt said. “We have the talent, the speed and the size, they just have the experience.”

The Bulldogs (9-6) showed that experience in the fourth quarter.

Forward Jonah Martin, who had just two points in the first half, scored seven consecutive points in the span of a minute that turned a 50-47 lead into a 57-47 lead with 1:57 left in the game.

The Bulldogs made just 14 of 41 shots through three quarters and were clinging to a 37-32 lead, but heated up in the fourth quarter, making nine of 14 shots.

“It was the rims and the backboards,” Martin said. “We finally got used to them in the fourth quarter.”

Burbank’s leading scorer, Juni Williams, playing on two sprained ankles, was scoreless through three quarters but finished with nine points.

Guard Steve Silvera carried Burbank through its shooting doldrums, making six of 14 shots for 18 points through three quarters. He finished with 21 points.

“We’re just glad to get this one out of the way,” Burbank Coach Ron Quarterman said. “There was a lot of talk going on about them and I think we were a little nervous coming in here.”

Jerron Jordan had 15 points for Valencia.