The best that high school basketball has to offer was on display at San Marino High School last Friday night when Monrovia came calling for the second episode of Rio Hondo League action.
A pep band played, song leaders danced, an award-winning choir sang the National Anthem and then, well, the Wildcats and the Titans basically beat on each other for 90 minutes.
Fortunately for the home team, San Marino won the battle of the second half and emerged with a 76-65 win to even their Rio Hondo League mark at 1-1.
“It was definitely one of the more intense and competitive contests of the season so far,” said Titan head Coach Mihail Papadopulos. “That’s a really tough team to play against as they give you a lot of fool’s gold. They allow you to beat them, but then they collapse their athletic weight on you when you get into the paint as they hope you rush and make mistakes.”
San Marino was led by Ethan Deng, who scored 22 points, Joey Fuerst added 16, Lemuel Licame off the bench to contribute 14 points and some solid defense and Sean O’Brien chipped in with 13 as the Titans improved to 12-5 overall. Trond Grizzell scored five points and Brian Zhang (four points), and Andy Sutherland and Quintin Hollom and each added a free throw.
“I am proud of how our boys fought and eventually were able to adjust to the physicality and speed of this game,” said Papadopulos. “Tonight required tremendous mental and physical toughness and I am proud of how our boys evolved throughout the game.”
La Cañada was again a den of horrors for the Titans, who dropped their league opener last Wednesday evening by a final score of 78-50, which was highlighted—or low lighted, de[ending on your point of view—by excellent Spartan shooting.
“It was a good learning experience as league play is just a different animal,” said Papadopulos. “You have to fully commit your body and mind to these games as everyone is scouted and everyone is intentionally trying to force you to secondary options or away from your strengths. Each game is a puzzle and unfortunately, we weren’t able to find the right level of competitiveness to give ourselves a chance.”
The Titans also squared off with Whittier Christian in a Saturday afternoon matinee. The Titans led ost of the way but the Heralds used a 22-point fourth quarter to win by a final score of 65-59. Dengled the Titans with 24 points, receiving assistance form Li (11 points), O’Brien (eight points), Grizzell (seven), Zhang (five) and Joey Fuerst, who added four.
San Marino travels to Temple City on Friday, January 17 for a 7:00p.m. game against the Rams.
