New England field general Tom Brady is regarded by many to be the best in the business after winning three Super Bowls in four appearances.

New York’s Eli Manning, the younger brother to Peyton, who was injured this season and is the only four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, has one championship on his shelf.

A second would secure his bust at the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

The oddsmakers favor the Patriots (15-3) by three points, but the match should be even.

New England’s riding a 10-game winning streak, and easily handled the Denver Broncos 45-10 in the divisional round, but held on for a 23-20 win over Baltimore in the AFC title game.

Maybe Las Vegas thinks revenge is in the back of New England’s mind after suffering a 17-14 loss to the Giants in Super Bowl XLII? The setback was the only blemish on the Patriots’ run to a perfect season.

New England’s tight end tandem of Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski are unstoppable, but Brady will be under duress from New York’s potent defense, which is led by Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora.

Hernandez caught seven passes for 66 yards against the Ravens, while Gronkowski (injured ankle) accounted for 87 yards on five catches.

Brady’s other weapons include Wes Welker (six grabs for 53 yards versus Baltimore), Deion Branch, Julian Edelman, and Danny Woodhead.

In the title game, Brady was intercepted twice and failed to throw a touchdown. He did have a short scoring run and passed for 239 yards.

The Patriots are 20th in rushing and rely on bruising back Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis, who finished with 68 yards and scored a touchdown in the title game.

New England’s pass defense is ranked 31st, while its run defense came in 17th, and is paced by Vince Wilfork.

Like four years ago, New York’s peaking. The Giants have a five-game winning skein and have victories over the New York Jets (29-14), Dallas Cowboys (31-14), along with playoff wins over the Atlanta Falcons (24-2), the defending champion Green Bay Packers (37-20), and the San Francisco 49ers (20-17) in the NFC title clash.

Manning had been much-maligned until he piloted the Giants to that three-point triumph over New England.

Manning was brilliant against the 49ers, throwing for 316 yards with two scoring passes.

But it’s been the emergence of Victor Cruz that’s made the Giants (12-7) the fifth-best passing team. Against the 49ers, Cruz corraled 10 passes for 142 yards.

Manning will also throw to Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum, along with running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs.

New York’s rushing attack is 32nd, and in the title game, Bradshaw had 74 yards while Jacobs garnered 13.

The Giants will have to do a better job running the ball, and they should. But the key is Manning, who is playing at a higher level than anyone in the league.

It’s going to be close. The call: New York 31, New England 24.

Rick Assad has been a sportswriter for more than two decades. He has a political science degree from UCLA, a journalism degree from CSUN, is a staff writer for diamondboxing.com, and is a columnist for socalboxing.wordpress.com. You may e-mail him at richsports5@sbcglobal.net.

Yetenikyan’s skill-set was on display last Friday night as visiting Arcadia came calling in a Pacific League game.

Yetenikyan scored a game-best 18 points and pulled down 17 rebounds, as Glendale rallied for a 60-56 victory, and kept its CIF Southern Section playoff hopes alive.

“I can’t say enough about David,’’ said longtime Nitros Head Coach Steve Snodgress. “He’s just impeccable. He can score, rebound, pass, and play defense. He does everything.’’

It began poorly for Glendale (9-13 overall and 4-6 in league) as it fell behind 13-11 after shooting 25 percent (four of 16) from the floor in the first quarter, and trailed 28-24 at the half after making five of 13 in the second quarter.

The Nitros entered the fourth quarter down 43-40, but opened the eight-minute block by getting a hoop from Yetenikyan, followed by a three-pointer from junior guard Vahe Aristakessian (nine points).

“He told us to play more aggressive in the second half,’’ said Yetenikyan, who dished off five assists with four steals and four blocks. “He said just shoot and make the shot. We want to make the playoffs. That was our goal in the beginning of the year and to win at least one game in the playoffs.’’

When Aristakessian scored with 6:17 left in the final quarter, the Nitros pulled ahead 47-43.

Glendale’s ability to sink free throws late was crucial. Yetenikyan drilled a pair, but it became a windfall when Arcadia forward Jeffrey Radzwill was called for a technical foul.

Senior forward Sevan Pogosyan (12 points) hit the charity shot, and then converted seven of eight as Glendale made nine of 13 in the quarter, and 13 of 20 overall.

Arcadia (10-12 and 3-7 in league) shot 48.9 percent (24 of 49) from the field, but had difficulty in the fourth quarter as it made five of 15.

The third quarter began with Glendale (22 of 51 for 43.1 percent) missing its first four shots, but responding by nailing eight of nine, with Yetenikyan, who plans on playing at Occidental College, tallying six points.

Forward Robert Haines poured in 14 points for Arcadia, followed by guard Taylor Legace and Radzwill with 13 points each, and guard Stephen Smith added 12.

Cundiff’s boot would have knotted it, but host New England escaped with a 23-20 triumph, while the visiting Giants prevailed over San Francisco 20-17.

“It was amazing,’’ said Tynes. “I had a dream that I was going to kick the game-winner, but it was from 42 yards.”

The Patriots and Giants will meet February 5 at Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLVI, and reprise their classic battle four years ago.

That was the season in which New England entered 18-0 and football immortality was riding on the outcome, but New York upset the 13-point favorite with a three-point win on Eli Manning’s game-clinching toss late.

San Francisco’s Kyle Williams will go down as the goat after fumbling a punt deep inside 49ers’ territory that set up Tynes’ kick.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Williams allowed another punted ball to touch his knee, and made it possible for Manning to find Mario Manningham with a 17-yard pass that gave New York a 17-14 lead and 8:34 left.

“We kept plugging away,’’ said Manning (32 of 58 for 316 yards and no interceptions). “They’re a great team, and we knew we couldn’t have turnovers.’’

San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith (12 of 26 for 196 yards with no picks), the No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft, made it 7-0 when he found tight end Vernon Davis on a 73-yard pass and 7:11 left in the first quarter, but Manning, the top selection in 2004, brought the Giants back with a six-yard pass to tight end Bear Pascoe early in the second quarter.

New York took a 10-7 lead when Tynes converted a 31-yard field goal as time ran out in the second quarter.

“Everyone stepped up,’’ said New York wide receiver Victor Cruz (10 receptions for 142 yards). “I’m just glad they have confidence in me.”

Smith’s 28-yard toss to Davis (112 yards and three catches) made it 14-10 with 5:18 showing in the third quarter, and David Akers tied it at 17-17 when he booted a 25-yarder with 5:39 left in the final quarter.

New England quarterback Tom Brady, a three-time Super Bowl winner, was coming off a six-touchdown outing against the Denver Broncos, and while he wasn’t sharp (22 of 36 for 239 yards and two interceptions), did have a one-yard dive that capped a 63-yard, 11-play march that made it 23-20 early in the fourth quarter.

Cundiff’s 20-yard field goal with 14:21 left in the second quarter offset Stephen Gostkowski’s 29-yarder with 5:49 remaining in the first quarter.

When running back Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis (68 yards and 15 carries) scored from seven yards out and 10:35 showing in the second quarter, New England vaulted ahead 10-3, but Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco (22 of 36 for 306 yards with one pick) tied it at 10-10 when he hit tight end Dennis Pitta (41 yards and five catches) with a six-yard strike as 6:03 remained before the half.

Flacco’s 29-yard toss to Torrey Smith (82 yards and three catches) late in the third quarter gave Baltimore a 17-16 lead.

Rick Assad has been a sportswriter for more than two decades. He has a political science degree from UCLA, a journalism degree from CSUN, is a staff writer for diamondboxing.com, and is a columnist for socalboxing.wordpress.com. You may e-mail him at richsports5@sbcglobal.net.

It was her goal in the 31st minute of the first half that provided the initial score and impetus for a 2-0 victory over crosstown rival Hoover last Friday afternoon in a Pacific League contest.

Up until Aquino’s goal it was a see-saw affair, with neither team getting any serious scoring tries. Most of the match was played in visiting Hoover’s defensive end.

Aquino’s left-footed shot from 25 yards away was struck hard and firm and it sailed past Yvonne Cruz, the Hoover goaltender.

“I’ve taken that shot before and made it,’’ said Aquino, a senior midfielder, who had a similar goal against the Tornadoes a season ago. “If they‘re moving shots, I always feel I have a better chance to score. I took a good shot.”

It became 2-0 when midfielder Arianna Nunez scored from 20 yards out with 10 minutes left in the second half.

The second goal was icing on the cake for the Nitros (3-8-2 and 2-5 in league) because it didn’t appear as though Hoover (3-7 and 1-6 in league) was capable of getting on the board.

“Both sides were struggling to score,’’ said Glendale Head Coach Victor Aquino, Ashley’s older brother. “Usually I go with Ashley to be the stopper. We wanted to attack. Our defense has been getting better.”

Hoover Head Coach Donal Kennedy echoed Aquino’s sentiments. “That goal was a game-changer,’’ he said. “The first half was really ugly. There were few scoring opportunities.”

Aquino’s long-range blast from 45 yards and seven minutes into the opening half was weak, and it wasn’t until Audria Paris’ corner kick with 13 minutes left before halftime that Hoover had its first scoring chance.

Nunez’s shot from the left flank and 10 minutes left in the opening stanza was half-hearted, and Paris’ corner kick with three minutes showing in the same half gave Hoover its second scoring try.

Hoover’s Isabelle Torres sent off a 15-yard shot that didn’t find the net five minutes into the second half, and teammate Lori Berberian’s 35-yard attempt eight minutes later also missed. Nunez found herself with a 15-yard kick at the 20-minute mark of the second half, before Hoover’s Jordan Miller launched a 25-yard rocket with 18 minutes left.

The Nitros’ Jasmine Hermosillo had a 15-yard boot and 13 minutes showing before Hoover’s Tyra Williams was able to get off a 25-yard penalty kick a minute later.

For nearly four quarters in the just-completed Bowl Championship Series title game at the Superdome, another kicking festival ensued until Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson scored on a 34-yard run that put the finishing touches on a 21-0 blanking.

In what may go down as one of the best defenses in college football history, Alabama held high-powered LSU to 92 total net yards and five first downs. The Tigers had 43 yards and one first down at the half.

The BCS has been around 14 years, and it’s the first time a team has been shutout in the championship tilt, which says a mouthful about the Crimson Tide defense.

Alabama claimed its ninth national crown since 1936, and second in three seasons under Head Coach Nick Saban, who also picked one up as LSU’s head man.

It was a frustrating night for LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson (11 of 17 for 53 yards), who bobbled two snaps, was intercepted by linebacker C.J. Mosley in the third quarter, and fumbled in the final quarter after being hit by Dont’a Hightower.

On the pick, Jefferson was flustered and tried a desperate shovel pass that was intended for running back Spencer Ware, but it was too high and long.

Alabama signal-caller A.J. McCarron had an easier time finding receivers like Kevin Norwood (four receptions for 78 yards), who had a key 26-yard grab in the opening quarter.

“He’s [Richardson] the best player in the nation, and should have won the Heisman Trophy,’’ said McCarron, named Offensive Player of the Game. “We mixed it up some from the first time we met.”

While LSU opted to run on first and second down, Alabama (12-1) put the ball in the air as McCarron threw 11 times and completed eight for 88 yards in the opening quarter.

McCarron finished with 234 yards, while hitting 23 of 34 attempts, and wasn’t intercepted.

Alabama receiver Marquis Maze’s 49-yard punt return set up Jeremy Shelley’s 23-yard field goal with five minutes left in the first quarter. Maze injured his hamstring on the play.

LSU defensive lineman Michael Brockers blocked Shelley’s 42-yard field goal try in the second quarter, but the Tigers (13-1) couldn’t advance the ball. It wasn’t until midway through the fourth quarter that LSU finally moved into Crimson Tide territory.

Shelley did make a 34-yard field goal with 4:18 remaining in the second quarter to make it 6-0, and added a 41-yarder as time expired to give Alabama a 9-0 lead.

McCarron hit 18 of 25 for 156 yards at the half as Alabama piled up 225 total yards.

The Tide (384 total yards and 21 first downs) continued to roll despite Shelley missing a 41-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Alabama receivers Darius Hanks (58 yards and five catches), Kenny Bell (26 yards and one catch) and Norwood, all had important receptions in the third quarter that helped Shelley add a 35-yard field goal with 12:49 left for a 12-0 edge, and a 44-yard boot late in the quarter that pushed it to 15-0.

When linebacker Hightower stripped Jefferson of the ball on fourth and 15, it set up Richardson’s touchdown.

The play looked to be a short-gainer until Richardson (96 yards on 20 rushes and 11 yards on two catches) danced left and raced down the sideline with 4:36 showing.

Rick Assad has been a sportswriter for more than two decades. He has a political science degree from UCLA, a journalism degree from CSUN, is a staff writer for diamondboxing.com, and is a columnist for socalboxing.wordpress.com. You may e-mail him at richsports5@sbcglobal.net.

In a Pacific League boys’ basketball game last Friday night at Glendale, the Mustangs were full of gallop as they built a 17-point halftime lead, and settled for a 66-54 win as four players finished in double figures.

Senior power forward Andre Frazier scored 15 points and added five assists with three blocks, junior center Taturs Mayberry had 14 points with seven rebounds and was coming off a 42-point outing against Burroughs, while senior point guard Dion Nelson tallied 12 points.

Muir (16-1 and 5-0 in league) sprinted to a 20-10 first-quarter lead, and outscored the Nitros 18-11 in the second quarter.

The Mustangs made 24 of 50 shots from the field (48 percent) and drilled 15 of 20 from the free-throw line.

“We knew Glendale would come out shooting,’’ said Muir Head Coach Gamal Smalley. “We learned from last year to respect them. They can make those shots.’’

Last season, Muir was ranked No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section Division V-AA, had a 13-point lead late only to see the Nitros rally for a victory.

Glendale (7-10 and 2-3 in league) recovered in the third quarter as it scratched within 47-37 after making seven of 13 from the field.

Nitros’ senior center David Yetenikyan tallied eight of his 15 points in the quarter, and pulled down a game-best 23 rebounds. Yetenikyan fell one shy of tying the school mark.

Yetenikyan scored seven points in the final quarter, but the Nitros were led by senior forward Sevan Pogosyan’s game-high 19 points (16 in the first half).

“Muir came out and set the tempo,’’ said Glendale Head Coach Steve Snodgress. “We tried to slow it down in the first half. Their length bothered us, but I love how we competed. We contested their shots in the second half, and we shot better in the third quarter.’’

Glendale missed its first seven shots of the fourth quarter, while junior wingman Jelani Mitchell (11 points) scored and converted a free throw, and Frazier added a hoop.

“A lot of our best players are juniors,’’ said Smalley. “They’re going to continue to mature.”

Senior shooting guard Michael Cockrell (eight points) canned a three-pointer, and sophomore small forward Brian Carrier (six points) added a bucket.

Muir was successful on 10 of 12 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

When the Nitros (22 of 64 for 34 percent) missed, Muir would swallow up the loose ball and race down the floor for easy layups and dunks.

Sure, the Ducks can score at will, but against bigger and stronger teams like Ohio State and Auburn, they’ve wilted, losing to each in close Bowl Championship Series games.

Let’s say the third time was the charm for Oregon, as it withstood Wisconsin’s heavy body blows and held on for a 45-38 victory in the recently-concluded 98th Rose Bowl Game as 91,245 fans looked on.

“It’s been 95 years since Oregon fans can say we won the Rose Bowl,’’ said third-year Head Coach Chip Kelly, whose team fell to undefeated LSU in the season-opener (40-27) and two-loss USC (38-35). “These guys bought into the system. We’re going to win a lot more BCS games.”

The points came at a furious pace as No. 6 Oregon and No. 9 Wisconsin combined for the most-ever in a Rose Bowl match. There were eight touchdowns tallied at the half, with each getting four.

Lavasier Tuinei was named Offensive Player of the Game after catching eight passes for 158 yards with two touchdowns.

Tuinei’s three-yard catch from Darron Thomas (17 of 23 for 268 yards with one interception) late in the second quarter tied it at 28-28, and his 11-yard grab early in the fourth quarter gave the Ducks (621 total net yards) a 42-38 cushion.

Wisconsin (509 total yards) led 7-0 when Jared Abbrederis (119 yards on four receptions) caught a 38-yard pass from Russell Wilson (19 of 25 for 296 yards with one pick) and 11:48 left in the first quarter, but LaMichael James (159 yards on 25 carries) tied it at 7-7 when he scored from a yard out with 9:41 showing in the same quarter.

Abbrederis’ catch and fumble with about four minutes left clinched it for the Ducks (12-2), who lost Rose Bowls to Ohio State 26-17 in 2010, and Penn State 38-20 in 1995.

Wilson’s four-yard bootleg made it 14-7 with just under six minutes showing in the initial quarter, but freshman sensation De’Anthony Thomas (155 yards on two rushes) scored on a 91-yard sprint as time expired in the first quarter to make it 14-14, and it was the longest run from scrimmage in Rose Bowl history.

Wisconsin’s Montee Ball (32 carries for 164 yards) had a three-yard burst with 10:52 left in the second quarter to make it 21-14, only to see Darron Thomas find Kenjon Barner with a 54-yard bomb and 10:36 left that tied it at 21-21.

Ball’s touchdown was the 39th of the season, tying him with Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders, who set the mark in 1988, and Ball became the fourth player to rush for 100 yards in consecutive Rose Bowls.

The Badgers’ Louis Nzegwo recovered Darron Thomas’ fumble and returned it for a 33-yard score and a 28-21 lead as 3:26 remained before the half.

The points continued to roll as De’Anthony Thomas (34 yards and four catches) added a 64-yard dash with 14:11 showing in the third quarter to make it 35-28, but Philip Welch’s 29-yard field goal with just under 11 minutes left sliced Oregon’s advantage to 35-31.

Nick Toon (nine catches for 104 yards) hauled in an 18-yard pass from Wilson with 4:44 left in the third quarter that gave the Badgers (11-3) a 38-35 lead.

Rick Assad has been a sportswriter for more than two decades. He has a political science degree from UCLA, a journalism degree from CSUN, is a staff writer for diamondboxing.com, and is a columnist for socalboxing.wordpress.com. You may e-mail him at richsports5@sbcglobal.net.

The Mustangs have always had top-level talent in basketball, football, and track, so it’s not surprising this season’s boys’ hoop edition is holding that tradition firm after last Friday night’s 41-39 win over host Hoover in a Pacific League match.

The Tornadoes’ Kyle Bernardo (game-high 17 points with five steals) had a chance to seal it with a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded, but his attempt was off target.

Hoover (7-8 and 1-1 in league) had an opportunity to steal the victory seconds earlier, but Jashley Francisco also missed.

Muir (13-1 and 2-0) was in for a battle, eye-catching given that it advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division V-AA championship game a season ago.

In what was a tight opening half, each team scored 22 points, leading to what would transpire over the second half.

Dion Nelson paced the Mustangs with eight points, Taturs Mayberry chipped in with 12 rebounds, and Andre Frazier added a game-best six blocks.

On the same night visiting Crescenta Valley held off stubborn Burbank in a Pacific League encounter, 67-55.

The Falcons (13-2 and 2-0) found the three-point shot to their liking, sinking nine as Cole Currie was the show-stopper.

The junior finished with a game-best 28 points, making four from beyond the three-point stripe. Crescenta Valley senior Dylan Kilgour (15 points) also converted three from long distance.

Burbank (8-7 and 0-2) played well, but still trailed by seven points heading into the fourth quarter. The final eight minutes were a nightmare for the Bulldogs, who made one shot across the first five minutes, and sank three of 14 during the eight-minute period.

St. Francis continued to have its problems; this time the foe was Crespi in a Mission League clash.

The Golden Knights fell to the Celts 71-50, despite Tei Vanderford’s 20 points and Emerson Castaneda’s 16 points.

St. Francis (6-9 and 0-2) was in front by one point at the intermission, but then struggled in the second half.

The Giants jumped out to a three-touchdown halftime lead, and after the Cowboys scrambled to close within seven points, New York was able to secure a 31-14 victory as quarterback Eli Manning and Victor Cruz starred.

Everyone knows Manning, a No. 1 selection by the San Diego Chargers, who traded him to the Giants. Manning, like his older brother Peyton, has led his team to a Super Bowl win.

Cruz is a young talented wideout who is making a national name for himself, and now holds the Giants’ single-season record for receiving yards with 1,536.

“We had to win the last two games to get into the playoffs,’’ said Manning, who had 346 yards through the air while hitting 24 of 33 attempts and no interceptions. “We have to continue what we’ve been doing in the playoffs.”

Manning had glowing praise for Cruz, who played his college ball at the University of Massachusetts. “He’s a big-play maker and works really hard in practice,’’ he said. “He’s a really good weapon to have and he’s only going to get better.”

Under rainy conditions, New York came out with blinders on. The Giants (9-7) marched 96 yards on six plays for a 7-0 lead with just under five minutes left in the first quarter.

The score was a 74-yard throw from Manning to Cruz, who lined up in the left slot, grabbed the short offering, and raced down the left sideline.

“They [teammates and coaches] have confidence in me,’’ said Cruz, who accounted for 178 yards on six receptions. “It makes you feel good that they do.”

Dallas (8-8) fell behind 14-0 when running back Ahmad Bradshaw (57 yards on 16 carries) scored from five yards out early in the second quarter. Manning was masterful during the 10-play, 68-yard drive.

New York (437 total net yards with 106 on the ground) extended its lead to 21-0 with 1:09 left before the intermission when Manning connected with Bradshaw on a 10-yard screen pass. This time Manning marched the Giants 80 yards on eight plays.

Manning had nearly everything going his way in the first half, drilling 15 of 20 attempts for 199 yards.

Dallas quarterback Tony Romo recently injured his throwing (right) hand in a contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, and was sacked six times.

Romo (29 of 37 for 289 yards with one interception) played despite the top of his hand and fingers being slightly swollen.

Romo was cautious in the first half, but played much better in the second half when he unloaded a 34-yard bullet to wide receiver Laurent Robinson with just under seven minutes left in the third quarter to make it 21-7, and a six-yard dart to Robinson (61 yards and four receptions) with 10:15 left in the fourth quarter that made it 21-14.

Dallas churned out 300 total yards (49 rushing), and was successful on four of 12 third-down plays. New York converted seven of 15 third-down opportunities.

Manning answered with a nifty nine-play, 65-yard march that Lawrence Tynes capped off with a 28-yard field goal as 5:45 remained in the fourth quarter, and Manning added a four-yard toss to wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (76 yards and five catches) about two minutes later to make it a 17-point lead.

Rick Assad has been a sportswriter for more than two decades. He has a political science degree from UCLA, a journalism degree from CSUN, is a staff writer for diamondboxing.com, and is a columnist for socalboxing.wordpress.com. You may e-mail him at richsports5@sbcglobal.net.

Major was also a deft passer in the fourth quarter. After St. Francis guard Emerson Castaneda scored to make it 47-47, Major easily found Jorge Castello, who scored to give the Minutemen (11-3) a two-point edge with just under three minutes left.

A short while later, Major hit Michael DeMeester, who put the ball in the hole with 2:20 showing for a four-point Maranatha lead.

The Golden Knights (5-7) had their hands full guarding Major, who also spotted Andrew Elffers, who canned a three-pointer to make it 54-47 with 1:42 left.

In the same tourney, La Canada had its long-range shooting eye up to par against Hoover on the same evening.

The Spartans drained nine three-pointers, had an easy time with the Tornadoes, and pulled away for a 65-33 victory.

La Canada (7-6) was led by Darrell Dansby, who finished with a game-best 21 points, followed by Jay Srinivasan (20 points).

Dansby converted three from three-point range, and Srinivasan dropped six from beyond the three-point arc.

The Tornadoes (6-7) have now lost three consecutive games, after winning five straight.

In other action on Friday, Crescenta Valley waltzed past Galena (Nevada), 64-49, in the third-place match of the Desert Heat Classic in Palm Springs behind Christian Misi’s 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Tade Keshishyan added 14 points and Davis Dragovich 13 points with seven assists and six boards for the Falcons (11-2).

Glendale’s Sev Pogosyan tallied 21 points for the Nitros (5-7) in the Hart Tournament.

The Nitros went 2-2 in the tourney, and Pogosyan was named to the all-tournament squad.

Flintridge Prep and Rancho Buena Vista were locked in a shoot-out during the 15th-place game of the Torrey Pines Tournament.

Kory Hamane had 23 points and five steals for the Rebels (5-5), while Robert Cartwright scored 16 points with nine caroms, Kareem Ismail 12 points with 14 rebounds, and Jedrick Eugenio with 10 points.