HomeSportsTitans Out Early, Hang On for Opening Night Victory

Titans Out Early, Hang On for Opening Night Victory

MR. ACTIVITY: Less than a week after finishing a grueling football season, senior Chris Wicke was all over the court last Thursday as the Titans held off visiting Baldwin Park by a final score of 31-28. The Titans have the week off. Daryl Chan Photo

San Marino High School’s 2018-19 boys’ varsity basketball season got off to as good a start as possible Thursday evening when the Titans hosted Baldwin Park in the much-anticipated opener at Dingus Memorial Fieldhouse.

The first quarter ended with San Marino ahead by a score of 16-0 (not a misprint).  The Titans then scored the next eight points to run their advantage to 24-0 when Braves Coach Israel Anguiano called a time out.

If anyone knows what he told his charges in the team huddle, consider bottling and selling it because Baldwin Park turned the tide and almost tied the contest at the final buzzer when Daniel Ulloa’s three-quarter court shot rimmed out to preserve San Marino’s 31-28 win.

“My recall ended somewhere in the middle of the second quarter,” Titan head Coach Mihail Papadopulos quipped after the game. “I don’t remember a thing.”

There was much that was memorable, until there wasn’t. The Titans couldn’t miss to open the contest and couldn’t through the proverbial pea into the ocean soon thereafter. Imagine a scenario where a team scores seven points in the second half—including three points in the fourth quarter—and wins the game.

San Marino was without starting guard Sean O’Brien and junior Ethan Deng happily filled the void, scoring 18 points. Senior Michael Baldocchi scored three, as did Cristian Mata and Lemuel Li. Brian Zhang and Eric Fu added a bucket apiece as the Titans happily claim a 1-0 record.

“We did some good things,” Papadopulos said. “This is a very young team so we know there is going to be a wide learning curve. But there is a lot to build on.”

Though he didn’t score, senior Chris Wicke controlled the boards and played excellent defense. Papadopulos also praised Deng and guard Jason Wee, who was active during his minutes.

The Titans played Flintridge Prep at home on Monday evening and get some time off before starting the Sierra Vista Tournament on Monday, November 26.

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