Big time defense and an ability to pass the ball inside combined to push Todd Beamer to a 54-39 Class 4A SPSL girls' basketball victory against visiting Graham-Kapowsin on Thursday, January 26.
Beamer climbed to 4-8 league and 7-9 overall. Graham-Kapowsin dropped to 1-9 and 1-13.
"We were moving the ball well and getting it to our big girls," said Titan head coach Heather Sugg.
Clinging to a 19-16 lead near the middle of the second quarter, Todd Beamer snapped out of its doldrums to deliver the first of several key strikes that turned the game completely its way.
Following two Makayla Sullivan free throws, Megan Anderson popped home a short range jump shot.
A Beamer duo later countered Molissika Saar's goal for Graham-Kapowsin. Anderson and Tre'Auna Culp each notched a basket to cap an 8-2 TB scoring run that forged a 27-18 Titan halftime lead.
Opening action in the second half prolonged the rout of the Eagles as TB totally tightened its defense to ignite its offense.
With GK flinging up shots that resembled loose leaves being blown around in a strong wind, the Lady Titans breezed to 11 consecutive points and a 38-18 control late in the third quarter as the Beamer reserves revved up the action for the better part of the second half.
"Our guard play has improved and we've picked up good defense," continued Sugg. "To be successful, we need to play tough defense, show patience and keep our composure."
Kylee Geffre's basket with 1:15 left in the third quarter ended an Eagle scoring drought that had lasted more than eight minutes, including the second quarter. Before then, the Titans had fired off 13 unanswered points before the GK bucket made the score 38-20.
The Todd Beamer lead grew to 22 points early in the fourth quarter before a late Graham Kapowsin charge narrowed the deficit in the waning minutes.
"We were just working hard," said Megan Huff, who scored seven points. "I was taking my shots, rebounding and letting the guards do what they can do."
Ten players scored for the Titans in the dominating win with Meghan Graff's 11 points leading the way. Megan Anderson and Liesa Young had eight points each while Culp and Sullivan had six apiece.
