By Gerardo Bolong 

SPECIAL TO WESTSIDE SEATTLE 

TACOMA -Todd Beamer showed great heart and resilience throughout the game against Woodinville before falling in the last minutes of a 57-50 loss to the unbeaten (27-0) Falcons at the Tacoma Dome on Thurs.,March 5. 

The loss sent the (24-4) Titans into a 9 a.m. 2020 state girls 4A Hardwood Classic match up against Chiawana (23-5) on Fri., March 6. 

Leading only 51-50 following a pair of Aaliyah Alexander free throws for the Titans with nearly 40 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Falcons beat a full court press with a pass to 5-foot-10 inch Mia Hughes for a lay up while being fouled.

When Hughes converted the free throw, Woodinville owned a 54-50 advantage with 28 seconds showing.

Todd Beamer turned the ball over seven seconds later, and the game was essentially decided as the Falcons drained three free throws to complete the scoring. 

The Titans utilized strong defense and a patiently searching half court offense that found holes against the Woodinville defense to carry a 16-13 lead into the second quarter. 

Alexander drove to the hoop for a basket ahead of two free throws from Sharay Trotter while assuming a 20-13 Titan lead early in the second quarter, but Woodinville countered with an 8-0 run to take the lead, although Beamer led 25-24 at the half. 

The previously mentioned resilience surfaced for both squads as the Titans assumed a 33-28 advantage before Woodinville ripped off nine consecutive points to take back the lead and garner a 43-39 margin heading into the final quarter. 

Hughes carried the Falcons on her back most of the game and posted Woodinville's final 10 points of the third quarter against a Titan defense that was unable to contain her rebounding and inside scoring punch. 

Trotter brought Beamer back into a 43-43 deadlock after she drilled a short range jump shot and followed it with a down the lane scoring move. 

Enter Hughes to score four points before a Todd Beamer shot rolled off the rim. 

The teams traded shot clock violations before Hughes powered inside for a basket and a 49-43 Falcon lead at the two minute mark. 

It was now the turn of the Titans to respond. 

Halo Parks nailed a pair of free throws plus a corner three-ball to give Beamer life at 49-48 with just more than two minutes left. 

With 53 seconds remaining, the Titans gained back court possession on an offensive foul by the Falcons, but missed an ensuing shot off the front rim. 

After the teams exchanged a pair of free throws, Hughes converted her three-point play that essentially sealed the deal in a hard fought game befitting the top two teams. 

Hughes was the only double-figures scorer for Woodinville, racking up 21 second half points as part of her game high 34. She was 13 of 18 from the field with 11 caroms off the glass. 

Alexander was heroic in the Todd Beamer defeat, scoring 21 points while grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out three assists. Trotter added 16 points while Parks contributed 13 points to the strong team effort.