Trio of seniors leads No. 2 Todd Beamer past No. 10 Bellarmine, into 4A girls quarterfinals
In the first game of the season, Todd Beamer faced Woodinville and lost 69-36.
A lot has happened since then. The Falcons haven’t lost a game and were ranked No. 1 coming into the Hardwood Classic. The Titans have only lost twice since falling to Woodinville, and are ranked second behind the Falcons.
The only thing standing in the way of a rematch between the two teams in Thursday’s 4A state quarterfinals was No. 10 Bellarmine Prep. Before the Titans could start game-planning for the Falcons, they would first have to beat the Lions in a loser-out game in the Tacoma Dome on Wednesday.
Thanks, in large part, to outscoring the Lions 18-7 in the third quarter, the Titans were able to do just that, winning 57-41.
“Our halftime talk (was about) getting refocused, coming out with a sense of purpose and letting them know the game is not over,” Todd Beamer head coach Corey Alexander said. “We let them know that we have to hit first, and that they are going to comeback and everything. I think our girls handled that pretty good.”
Senior guard Aaliyah Alexander led the way for the Titans, scoring 19 points, 13 of which came in the first half.
“Aaliyah is our leader,” Coach Alexander said. “She’s been here before. She’s played here before and she’s watched her sister play her. She’s used to the lights. We kind of put it on her shoulders that if she leads everyone else will follow.”
Joining Alexander scoring in double figures was seniors Sharay Trotter, who finished with 13, and Halo Parks, who had 10.
“Najahia Forks, she hit a couple of 3s, Sharay Trotter driving, that’s what she does, she’s able to do that, and Halo Parks shooting her shots,” Aaliyah Alexander said. “When it’s a combined effort we’re able to do really good things.”
Senior Julia Bordeaux led the Lions with 16 points in her final high school game.
Bellarmine Prep trailed 45-27 entering the final quarter, but the Lions appeared as though they might make things interesting down the stretch when they outscored the Titans 6-1 in the early moments of the final quarter. But it wasn’t to be. Bellarmine Prep was forced to try to foul the Titans late in the fourth quarter, hoping the Titans would miss and saving precious time on the clock. The strategy didn’t work as Todd Beamer knocked down seven of its final eight attempts from the line to put the game away.
After the victory, the Titans could turn their attention to the Falcons.
“They put their shoes on the same way we put our shoes on,” Coach Alexander said. “At this point, everybody is good, and everybody can be beat. We just go in there with that mindset. They’re the No. 1 team, so we’re going to make sure that they have to prove that they’re the No. 1 team.”
At Tacoma Dome
Bellarmine Prep 10 10 7 14 - 41
Todd Beamer 16 11 18 12 - 57
Bellarmine Prep – Callie Stevens 12, Rowan Cusack 2, Julia Bordeaux 16, Riley Cusack 2, Catie Burns 2, Analesa Mason-Ligon 0, Kaylie Steinbacher 0, Katie Christensen 0, Abbie Crist 2, Larkin Daly 0, Taylor Teeple 0. Todd Beamer – Sharay Trotter 13, Halo Parks 10, Najahia Forks 7, Aaliyah Alexander 19, Brooklyn Humphrey 2, Alisaundria Hardwell 6, Alexus Jackson 0, Kemera Hardwell 0, Jayoscia Sears 0.
No. 6 Glacier Peak 46, No. 14 Camas 40
No. 6 Glacier Peak found itself behind 19-6 at the end of the first quarter, but outscored the No. 14 Papermakers 34-14 in the second and third quarters, including a 23-8 run over the span of the second quarter, to take control of the loser-out contest.
Junior Aaliyah Collins had 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists to lead the Grizzlies. Senior teammate Shaylin Sande added 10 points and five rebounds. Junior Faith Bergstrom led the Papermakers with 16 points and eight rebounds.
The Grizzlies will face No. 4 Chiawana at 9 a.m. on Thursday in the quarterfinals.
This story was originally published March 4, 2020 at 2:01 PM.