Burbank slams Hillcrest Christian 93-42 

Published by

Lorenzo Antonio

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Blake Finnigan scores 31 points in the win for the Bulldogs over the Saints 

High school basketball players discussing strategies with a coach in a gymnasium, surrounded by empty bleachers and school banners.
Two men in matching black jackets standing in a gymnasium with bleachers in the background. One man has a serious expression while the other is smiling. Several people are visible in the background.

The Burbank Bulldogs easily put the hammer on the Hillcrest Christian Saints 93-42 on Saturday behind a season high 31 points from Blake Finnigan. Henry Lani led the Saints with 14 points in the loss to the Bulldogs. Burbank came off a 66-54 win over Muir on Friday and Hillcrest Christian defeated Sequoyah School of Pasadena 61-47 in their previous outing. 

A basketball team huddling together on the court at Burbank High School, with athletic banners on the wall and bleachers in the background.
A group of young male basketball players in uniforms huddled together on the court, with blue bleachers and team banners in the background.

Tighe Eshleman served as the acting head coach for the home back-to-backs due to Bulldogs head coach Steve Eshleman being unavailable because of an illness. 

A high school basketball game in progress with players from two teams competing on the court. The scoreboard shows the time and score, while a referee monitors the play. The gym features banners and an American flag in the background.
High school basketball game tip-off between two teams on a gymnasium court.
A basketball game in progress with players from two teams on the court, one team in white jerseys and the other in navy blue. The gymnasium features banners and bleachers in the background.

Kaleb Walker and Cris Ong began the scoring for the Bulldogs by recording consecutive layups to give them an early 4-0 advantage. 

Two basketball players running on a court during a game, one holding a basketball. In the background, spectators sit on bleachers.
High school basketball game in a gymnasium with a scoreboard showing 44-41, 6:03 on the clock, and a referee in the foreground. The wall features school banners and an American flag.
High school basketball game in progress with players from two teams on the court. The scoreboard shows the time, score, and period. An American flag and banners are visible on the wall.

Gabe Catalano got the Saints on the board before Kaleb Walker and Caleb Kerner scored layups for their respective teams. 

Basketball team huddled together on the court with scoreboard displaying 62-21, Burbank High School gymnasium background, American flag visible.
A basketball team gathered in a huddle during a game in a gymnasium, with a scoreboard showing the game status and team banners on the walls.

Burbank held Hillcrest Christian to only four points in the opening quarter and headed into the second quarter with a 22-point lead. 

High school basketball game with players on the court, scoreboard showing 3:18 remaining in the game and home team scoring 71. Team members in blue and white uniforms are preparing for a free throw.
A high school basketball game taking place in a gymnasium, with players competing on the court. One team is wearing white jerseys, while the other team is in dark blue jerseys. The scoreboard shows the score as 66 to 21 with 5:33 remaining in the game. Behind the players, banners display the school's achievements in various sports.

Walker and Henry Lani traded layups to start the second quarter which resulted in the Bulldogs leading 28-6. Burbank continued its offensive parade throughout the second quarter and entered the halftime break with a 62-21 lead over Hillcrest Christian. 

High school basketball game in a gymnasium with players in motion, one player diving for a loose ball while others are positioned nearby. A bulldog mural is visible on the wall, along with team banners and spectators in the background.
A high school basketball game in progress with players from two teams on the court, including a referee overseeing the action. The scoreboard shows the game details and various banners hang on the gym walls.

Blake Finnigan began the third quarter with a layup and Caleb Kerner answered with a three-point basket, but the Saints did not have many answers the rest of the way. The Bulldogs continued their scoring rampage throughout the second half and sealed the 51-point win over the Saints. 

A basketball game in progress at Burbank High School, featuring players in blue and white jerseys, with a scoreboard displaying a score of 71-31 and 2:57 remaining in the third period. The school’s alma mater is visible on a large wall panel, alongside an American flag.
High school basketball game in progress, featuring players in blue and white jerseys on the court, with a bulldog mural on the wall and spectators in the background.

“We got the job done with back-to-back home wins with Muir and Hillcrest Christian,” said Tighe Eshleman. “We are now in the NBA part of the schedule where we have back to backs on the road with Glendale and Hoover to start next week, but overall I’m proud of our guys the way we played today.” 

A basketball game in progress with players from two teams on the court. The scoreboard shows a score of 71 for one team, with 2:51 left in the game. An American flag hangs on the wall in the background.
A basketball game in progress at Burbank High School gym, with a player in a blue jersey attempting a jump shot while several defenders in white jerseys are positioned nearby. The scoreboard shows 2:54 remaining in the game, with the home team leading 71-31.

Tighe also added that his dad, Steve Eshleman, should be back on the bench in Burbank’s Pacific League contest against Glendale on Monday night. 

A basketball court at Burbank High School, featuring players in action, spectators in the bleachers, school banners, and an American flag hanging on the wall.
A basketball game in a gymnasium featuring players in blue and white uniforms, with a bulldog mascot mural on the wall. Players are positioned near the basketball hoop, and spectators are visible in the background.

Burbank improves to 16-7 and Hillcrest Christian falls to 10-13. Both teams will return to action on Monday, January 26th. 

A basketball game in a gym featuring players in action, with one player shooting a basketball. The gym has a mural of a bulldog and a scoreboard showing the game timer.
A high school basketball game in a gymnasium featuring players in action. The background includes a large bulldog mural and banners displaying sports achievements. The court is marked, and bleachers are visible in the background.

The Bulldogs will resume Pacific League Play with the Glendale Nitros at Glendale High School at 6:45 p.m. and the Saints will resume Omega League play with the Beacon Hill Gryphon at Beacon Hill High School in Camarillo California at 3:30 p.m.

A basketball player in a white jersey jumps for a shot while other players defend during a game in a gymnasium with a blue wall and a bulldog mural.
A high school basketball game in progress, featuring players in blue and white jerseys on the court, with a basketball hoop in the background and spectators in the bleachers.
A high school basketball game in progress, featuring players from both teams in action, with a scoreboard displaying the score and game clock. The Burbank High School alma mater is prominently displayed on the wall, along with an American flag.
A high school basketball game in progress, featuring players in white and navy blue jerseys. The scoreboard shows a score of 82-24 and 6:28 remaining in the game. The gym has a visible 'Alma Mater' banner and various championship banners on the walls.
A gymnasium with basketball players on the court. Two players in navy uniforms and one in a white uniform are on the move, with spectators in the bleachers watching the game. Various banners and signs are displayed on the walls.
A basketball game in progress with several players on the court, featuring a score display and a bulldog mascot mural on the wall. Spectators are sitting in the bleachers.

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