Titans Boys Basketball Comes Up Huge on MLK Jr. Day

Tough defense, solid bench play and a big height advantage proved just enough to put the Poway High Titans over the top on Monday at the San Diego Elite Eight Showcase at Point Loma Nazarine University.

The Titans took the lead early and never gave it up, inching out the Horizon High Panthers 50-46 in a hard fought game that was close all the way through.

“We were expecting a quick athletic team, and that’s what we got,” said Poway point guard Bryson Brockman. “We battled to get the early lead and just held onto it any way we could.”

The Titans were led by solid guard play from Brockman, who had 14 points, four assists and two steals. Matt Moreno provided a spark off the bench with nine points.

“Horizon didn’t match up well against us,” said Poway coach Aaron Little. “We had the size.”

The Panthers had difficulty driving the lane and were forced into often wild outside shots since they couldn't compete down low with the Titans' 6-foot-10 Sam Beeler, who racked up 14 points, six rebounds and four blocks.

“We didn’t have a lot of energy or penetration out there today,” said Horizon coach Tyrone Hopkins. “We started out lackadaisical and had to fight up hill the entire game.”

One Panther who did show some energy was senior standout Tyler Cross, who kept the game close throughout, playing every minute and scoring a game-high 27 points while hauling in eight rebounds.

“I wish we could have come into the game with the right mind-set,” Cross said. “It was a hard fight out there, but we couldn’t hit the shots we needed.”

The game started off with both teams struggling to find their range.

The Panthers took an early 5-4 advantage while applying full-court pressure, but that was the last time they would lead. The Titans answered with several quick buckets and a smothering defensive performance of their own, building a 26-20 halftime lead.

In the second half, Horizon started to find its rhythm. Cross hit several key contested shots, bringing the Panthers within striking distance at 38-35 heading into the final eight minutes.

Early in the fourth quarter, Cross was fouled as he drained a three-point shot to tie the score at 38-38. With a chance to take the lead, Cross missed the free throw, and Sam Beeler came back down the court with a statement dunk to put Poway High up for good.

For more on the Poway boys basketball team, visit the Titans' website, or check them out on Max Preps.