Basketball outlasts MC

Titans narrowly defeat Sundevils in rivalry game for the ages

Junior+Justin+Lubisich+takes+a+few+efficient+dribbles+down+the+court%2C+leading+to+the+offensive+end.+The+Titans+beat+Mt.+Carmel%2C+74-72%2C+in+their+Dec.+7+matchup.+%28Iliad%2F+Robert+Houshan%29

Junior Justin Lubisich takes a few efficient dribbles down the court, leading to the offensive end. The Titans beat Mt. Carmel, 74-72, in their Dec. 7 matchup. (Iliad/ Robert Houshan)

After a gripping three-point difference, the Poway Titans managed to squeeze out a victory against Mt. Carmel on Dec. 7. With 30 seconds on the clock, senior David Angulo tied the game, 72-72. After Poway took the lead by two points, Mt. Carmel tried to get them back offensively,
but the score stayed at 74-72.

After a rocky start to the season with a loss to Mater Dei Catholic High, the varsity boys’ basketball team had three losses and three wins.

The Mt. Carmel game, however, would mark a turning point for the team.

“I think we are being engaged physically and we’re able to stay focused better than we were a month ago,” varsity basketball head coach Scott Fisher said.

This game was defined by Poway’s strong defense. With Angulo scoring right from the get-go, the crowd could see where the Titans’ strategy lay.

“We really wanted to beat this game, and they wanted to beat us, but in the end we just wanted it more,” Angulo said.

Both crowds were loud with chants and school songs being sung as passionately as possible, always trying to drown out the other.

Toward the end of the second half, the Sundevils really began to push back. With the score jumping from 50-46 to 57-56 in a matter of
minutes. Finally, with one minute left on the clock, the score settled at 69-67.

Following their Dec. 13 and 14 victories against Bonita Vista and Escondido, the team is now 5-5 in the season, with league games beginning Jan. 12. They have won four of their last six games and hope to continue that trend. Their next game at home is Jan. 7 against San Dieguito Academy.