The Todd Beamer Titans boys basketball team had a fresh face on the sidelines in alumni Tre Burch-Manning, who was at the helm for Head Coach Brent Brilhante, who was serving his one-game suspension after two technical fouls in the 69-59 loss to Mountlake Terrace in the state tournament last season.

“Coach B does a great job of preparing everyone, coaching staff and players. It was really pretty easy to step in. The guys were locked in,” Burch-Manning said.

To start the 2024-25 season, the Titans hosted North Creek on Dec. 2 and defeated the Jaguars 57-47 in North Creek’s first ever visit to Todd Beamer.

Burch-Manning isn’t too unfamiliar manning the sidelines, as he is the coach of the Titans’ summer league squad. For the players, it did feel a bit different.

“It definitely was a different experience. But we trust Tre and we know he has the keys to lead us to victory,” Terrence Whiting said.

2024 has a new look for the green and blue Titans. No Will Tellis, no Caleb Berry, no Keanu Earnest, but they do have Terrence Whiting.

“We’re still trying to figure it out as a team. We are new and trying to figure some stuff out and learn how we play and doing all that,” Whiting said.

Whiting is entering his senior year and is the lone starter from last year’s state tournament team to return. The Titans have leaned on him for leadership and execution early and often so far this season.

“I thought he did an amazing job leading us and weathering the storm,” Burch-Manning said.

In the win, Todd Beamer’s starting point guard had 18 points — a team high. He also was the primary ball handler for the Titans. He even shot 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

“It felt good leading the team to help us find success. It feels good to put everybody in good positions. It’s a good feeling to be a leader of this team,” Whiting said.

The two sides were very competitive early on. In the last second of the opening quarter, 6’10” junior Carter Cohen made a layup to take a 20-18 lead over Todd Beamer.

Size is going to be a challenge for the Titans this season. They got an early test with Cohen this year, and in a competitive 3A class, it’s a learning opportunity on how to deal with their lack of size. Jeremiah Johnson is the tallest Titan, standing at 6’6”.

“We just want to be aggressive and mentally prepared… We try not to play to their size,” Whiting said.

“We just wanted to make sure he felt us. He’s 6’10” so he’s always going to have an advantage over our players based on height. I thought the guys did a good job of being physical tonight,” Burch-Manning added.

At the half, Todd Beamer was up 33-27, holding the Jaguars to just seven second quarter points. Five different Titans scored in the second quarter and at the half, and Jaylin Wells led the way with eight points.

In the second half, North Creek found their way back and slowed down the Titans. TimaJae Johnson, the Titans’ third senior starter, put up a five point quarter to keep Todd Beamer in front.

The fourth quarter was a difficult one for the Titans. Whiting’s four made free throws were some of the most important shots of the game to keep the Jags at bay.

But the Titan defense held even stronger, and North Creek scored three points in the fourth quarter.

Three Todd Beamer players reached double figures, all seniors. For a team that has so much to find out about itself, the Titans got off on the right foot.

“Our three senior (starters) got into double digits, which is huge…They were all poised and ready to step into these roles and take advantage of what was out there tonight,” Burch-Manning said.

Todd Beamer takes on Decatur on the road at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6.

Todd Beamer alumni Tre Burch-Manning recorded his first regular season win as Head Coach Brent Brilhante was serving a one game suspension. Ben Ray / The Mirror