AMHS Lions take down surging Todd Beamer Titans

Auburn Mountainview junior Mande Wanlemvo double-double in win.

By Benjamin Ray • January 20, 2023 8:30 pm
Senior Ryder Alfey conducting the offense in the win against Todd Beamer. Jay O’Neill/ The Reporter
Lion junior Mande Wanlemvo posting up down low against the Titans. Jay O’Neill/ The Reporter

The Auburn Mountainview Lions boys basketball team won three straight games for the second time this season after a win against Todd Beamer on Jan. 17 with a score of 79-64.

The Lions’ record now sits at 8-5 this season and are in the second spot in the 3A NPSL standings and sixth overall. Mountainview also slid into the top 25 of the RPI poll at No. 24.

“We have played some really tough teams already,” Head Coach Kendall White said. “It was them [the team] stepping up to the plate, having been there before.”

In the first quarter, the Lions trailed the entirety of the eight minutes. Beamer jumped out early to a 22-16 lead, it was the only time Beamer led by more than two possessions throughout the whole game.

The second quarter was all lions, scoring 22 points in the quarter. The change came from Lion junior Mande Wanlemvo who finished with 24 points, 16 rebounds and three assists. At the end of the first half it was Mountainview who took a slim two-point lead 38-36.

“It all comes down to teamwork and competitiveness,” Wanlemvo said.

During the second half, Mountainview held the Titans to just 14 points a quarter. Mountainview’s point guard senior Jamaal Elliot played extremely well for the Lions down the stretch in the second half. His ability to carry the team is something he has grown into since he was starting as a sophomore for the Lions; Elliot totaled 21 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and three steals on the night.

The Lions entered the fourth quarter with an eight-point lead, accumulated in part due to an 8-0 run to end the third quarter. The closest Beamer ever reached was a two point game 59-61. Mountainview also was awarded four technical foul free throws down the stretch helping them build and sustain their lead.

The win meant something a little more for Coach White.

“It is my first win against Todd Beamer in the regular season since I’ve been here. So a lot of these boys are used to losing to these guys … it’s huge,” he said.

Wanlemvo and the Lions are playing with some motivation from last season. “Last year we were fighting to get to the [Tacoma] Dome, and we are really trying to get there this year,” he said.