Burroughs Lady Bears defeat Oakwood 44-35 in CIF SS D5 Semifinals

Izzy Amoroso’s 16-point performance propelled the Bears to a nine point win over the Owls

A group of young female basketball players in red jerseys celebrating together on the court after a game, with a scoreboard showing the final score.

A group of female basketball players in red uniforms celebrating in a gymnasium, with a person holding a camera capturing the moment. An American flag hangs in the background, alongside various championship banners.

The John Burroughs Bears made school history in the CIF Southern Section Division Five Semifinals, knocking out Oakwood 44-35 to reach the first ever CIF Southern Section championship game in program history. Izzy Amaroso led the way with 16 points in the victory.

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Three coaches in matching black jackets stand together in a gymnasium, with empty bleachers and banners in the background.

Bears coach Vicky Oganyan finally broke through in a semifinal, as she was 0-5 in those games coming into the contest against Oakwood.

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An indoor basketball court at Oakwood School, featuring red and gray bleachers, basketball hoop, scoreboard displaying a game in progress, and several players practicing on the court.

Both the Bears and Owls came off quarterfinal wins last Wednesday night as Burroughs blew out Carter 70-30 and Oakwood came off a 55-38 win over Whitney. The two teams also clinched state playoff berths by virtue of advancing into the semifinals.

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Indoor basketball court with several people practicing and interacting, featuring banners on the wall and a scoreboard displaying school information.

The Bears began the first quarter by jumping out to an early 5-0 lead. Valentina Morales made both of her free throw shots and Amoroso converted a three-point play at the free throw line.

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Madelyn Geromini got the Owls on the board with a bank shot and Jessica Mena recorded a layup on an assist from Amoroso to give Burroughs a 7-2 advantage.

High school girls' basketball teams at the center court for the tip-off, with players wearing red and white uniforms, and spectators seated in the background.

A high school basketball game in progress, with a player in a white jersey running towards a basketball on the court, while spectators watch from the stands in the background.

Geromini closed the gap with the Bears with a three-point basket and Mena responded with one of her own to give Burroughs a 10-5 lead. The teams played evenly afterwards and the Bears led 17-12 at the end of the first quarter.

A basketball game in a gym with players in red and white uniforms. The scene shows players preparing for a free throw, with a referee facing away from the camera. Spectators are visible in the background along the sidelines.

A basketball game in a gymnasium featuring two teams, one in red jerseys and the other in white. Players are actively engaged on the court, with a referee overseeing the game and banners hanging on the walls. The scoreboard shows a score of 20 to 19.

Grace Barton began the second quarter by recording a layup to put Burroughs up 19-12. Valentina Morales added a basket to make it a 21-12 game. Sophia Williams and Abby Chen scored back-to-back points for the Owls to keep pace with the Bears. Burroughs controlled most of the second quarter and entered the halftime break with a 27-17 lead over Oakwood.

A basketball game in progress with female players in red and white jerseys on the court. Spectators are seated in the background, and there are banners hanging on the walls showcasing sports achievements.

A basketball player in a white uniform dribbles the ball during a game with spectators in the background. Banners hanging on the wall indicate school achievements.

Following halftime the Owls went on a mini scoring run. Jolie Chen made both of her foul shots to start the third quarter, and, following a Bears traveling violation, Chen nailed a three to put Oakwood within five. Grace Barton responded with a three for the Bears, to push the lead back up by eight points.

A high school girls basketball game in progress, featuring players in white and red uniforms. The scoreboard shows 20 seconds remaining on the shot clock. Spectators are present in the background.

A girls' basketball game in a gymnasium with players in red and white uniforms. One player in red number 21 is running with the ball while several spectators are watching from the bleachers.

Burroughs kept the pace and ended the third quarter with a 35-26 lead. Amoroso started the final quarter with a three to get the lead into double digits at 38-26. Jamie Lam and Chen combined to bring the Owls to six points.

A basketball game in progress at Oakwood School, showing two players in red uniforms running on the court, with a scoreboard displaying the score and time.

A high school basketball game in action, featuring players in red and white uniforms. One player is shooting the basketball towards the hoop, while others are positioned on the court, with banners displayed in the background.

Isabella Amayakyan and Barton were not about to let the Burrough lead slip away. They nailed back-to-back three-point baskets to regain the double digit advantage and essentially put the game away for the Bears.

A basketball game in progress indoors, featuring two teams on the court. One team is wearing red uniforms while the other is in white. Players are positioned strategically, with spectators seated in the background and banners hanging on the walls.

A basketball court with a scoreboard showing Oakwood School 30, period Burroughs. Players are positioned on the court, with a referee signaling. Banners of league champions hang on the wall and an American flag is displayed.

Jame Lac also hit a three-point bank shot to make it a 44-35 game. Burroughs eventually held on to a nine-point win over Oakwood when the final buzzer sounded.

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A basketball game in progress with two teams on the court. Players in red and white uniforms are positioned near the basketball hoop. A scoreboard shows the time and score in the background.

“The girls did a great job following the game plan along with playing outstanding defense throughout the night and staying locked in.” said Vicky Oganyan. Oganyan also added that this game came down to players making big plays for either side and that her players made the clutch plays at the right time.

High school girls basketball game in a gymnasium, with players in white and red uniforms on the court. A shot clock shows 30 seconds, and spectators are seated in the background.

A basketball game in progress, showing two teams preparing for a free throw; a referee is talking to the players while spectators watch from the sidelines.

“I’m so proud of our team,” Said Amoroso, who is a senior and co-captain for the Bears. “We worked so hard to get to where we are, and that we redeemed ourselves from what happened last year in the semifinals to earn this win.”

A basketball team in red uniforms huddled together for a strategy discussion during a game. Coaches and referees are present on the court in a gymnasium decorated with championship banners and an American flag.

High school basketball game in progress with Oakwood School team huddled around a coach and referee indicating a play, game score shows Oakwood 16, Burroughs 22 in the second period.

“Oakwood played really hard but we won this game for all of the six seniors on the team and the fact that I played with them since middle school since we were not ready to let go just yet.” said Bears senior co-captain Valentina Morales.

A high school girls' basketball game in progress, featuring players wearing red and white uniforms. The scoreboard shows a score of 28 to 17. Spectators are seated in the background.

A basketball scoreboard showing Oakwood School at 21 points and Burroughs at 17 points, with 33.4 seconds remaining in the third period. Players in red jerseys are on the court, and various championship banners are displayed in the background.

Morales added Amoroso’s and Amayakyan’s clutch threes helped seal the deal in the fourth quarter for the Bears.

A basketball game in progress with players in red and white uniforms at a free throw line, a referee signaling, and spectators watching in the background.

A basketball game in a gymnasium with players in red and white uniforms, a crowd of spectators in the stands, and championship banners hanging on the wall.

The Burroughs Bears will take on Bishop Diego in the CIF Southern Section Division Five Championship game on Saturday February 28th at the Felix Events Center at Azusa Pacific University with tip off scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

A girls' basketball team in red uniforms huddle during a timeout in a gym with banners hanging on the walls and a scoreboard displaying the game score.

A basketball game in an indoor gym with players lined up for a free throw. The scoreboard displays 30 seconds left. Spectators are seated in the background.

The Oakwood Owls will participate in the State Regional playoffs as they will await their first round opponent on Sunday March 1st when the CIF State brackets are released.