TACOMA - Two vastly improved teams clashed with Class 3A Foster executing better in the stretch run to post a 53-49 decision against Class 4A Todd Beamer in Tuesday's first round of the Northwest All-Stars Girls' Basketball Holiday Hoopfest held at Wilson High School.

Locked in a 47-47 standoff with 3:01 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs took charge.

As 1:54 remained in the fourth quarter, 5-foot , 2-inch Chris Balangsang's three-point rainbow swhistled through the net to put Foster ahead for good at 50-47. This was Balangsang's only scoring for the night.

"I didn't hesitate," she said. "I was confident and just knew we had to work on defense more regularly."

Following a Foster steal Shantell Jackson drove for an inside basket with just more than one minute remaining.

Beamer freshman Makayla Sullivan countered with a 12-foot jump shot to draw the Titans within 52-49 with 56 seconds left. The Titans had an opportunity to draw even closer, but missed an inside shot and were forced to foul.

Bianca Benevides converted the second of two free throws with 11.3 second showing for the final points of the match up.

"We had a girl roll her ankle and we started sluggishly," said second-year Bulldog head coach Richard Lewis. "Coming out of the (halftime) break we played with energy, but had some turnovers. Down the stretch the defense applied more pressure and took care of the ball. We were better when we took care of the ball and had more patience."

Jackson poured in 21 points as Sahara Hill notched 16.

Following last season's 7-9 Seamount League finish and an 11-11 overall record, Foster should take a big step forward with a complete off season to fully learn the Lewis system. Most of the key performers from last season's team return. Only three seniors are on the squad, lending contnued hopes for future success. Junior Sahara Hill is one of the Seamount League's finest all-around players while freshman Shantell Jackson transferred from Auburn-Riverside to provide the Bulldogs with an additional outside shooting threat.

Hill earned Seamount League second team honors while leading Foster in averages per game in points (14.8), rebounds (8.7), steals (3.0) and blocks (0.4). Guards Bianca Benevides and Shalia Johnson are other key returnees. Quickness, athleticism and shooting prowess characterize the Bulldogs' strengths. Foster lacks size and experience in some areas.

Battling on equal terms throughout the up tempo clash, the teams exchanged scoring salvos with the Titans gaining the greatest lead at 34-25 with five minutes elapsed in the second half before the Bulldogs bit back to trail only 36-33 heading into the fourth quarter.

Two free throws by Foster's Destiny Beasley fired up the Bulldogs for six consecutive points to turn a 41-38 deficit into a 46-41 Foster lead. Todd Beamer fought back to trail only 46-45 ahead of a Shantell Jackson free throw for the Bulldogs and a Shyla Akins game-tieing layup for Beamer.

"We have good, young kids," stressed assistant coach Dave Cox, who guided the reins while Heather Sugg was visiting and caring for her mother briefly in Eastern Washington. "The girls didn't handle adversity well tonight, but they will learn. They have improved. Getting to an elite team status means you have to follow through under pressure."

Todd Beamer has already improved greatly upon last season's 2-18 won-loss record.

According to Cox, Sugg was expected to return by Thursday. Starting senior, 5-11 Katya Bixenman also missed the game due to playing in an elite soccer tournament.

Shyla Akins (5-4) ran to 16 points and 6-0 junior Meghan Graf notched 14 Titan points.

On Wednesday, the Foster Bulldogs trailed 24-13 at the half before bowing to Class 4A Wilson, 51- 42.

Jackson and Hill scored 12 points and 11 points, respectively.

Class 2A defending champion River Ridge throttled the Bulldogs 69-39 on Thursday to end the week with an overall record of 5-4.

Bianca Benevides and Hill each scored 10 points to pace Foster.

Todd Beamer closed out its tournament on Thursday, December 30, by blasting Independent Class 1A Auburn Adventist 57-16. Quarter scores in sequence had the Titans from Federal Way winning 20-4, 14-6, 12-2 and 11-2.

Shyla Akins with 17 points and Jamesa Dubois with 14 scored in double figures for Beamer which closed out the week with a 6-3 overall record..