After defeating Tahoma and Enumclaw in back-to-back games, the Kentridge Chargers looked to be on the rise. But in the Cloud 9 Christmas Classic’s opening round, the Chargers’ momentum screeched to a halt.

Todd Beamer High School toppled Kentridge, 55-49, at Auburn Riverside on Dec. 26.

“We just weren’t ready to go from the jump,” Head Coach Zac Webb said.

Tip-off between the two sides was at 2:30 p.m., an early game time to say the least. It was evident from both sides that they weren’t prepared as one would be if the game were later.

At the end of the first quarter, Todd Beamer was on top 7-5. The game was 4-2 for a significant time as well.

“This was an energy and effort game. Our energy sucked in the first and third quarter, second and fourth it was good. We could have capitalized on them not having much energy either,” Webb said.

The Chargers were without Amare Brown, who was sidelined with an illness. So the offense had to come from Gio Moimoi, who just got off to a slow start. In the second quarter, he recorded seven points to get the Chargers going.

Heading into the locker rooms at halftime, Kentridge trailed 25-18. Junior Damien Diaz brought some energy off the bench with six points in the first half. His development has been impressive over the last couple of weeks for Webb.

“He has been awesome … He brings energy, toughness and an edge … That’s a kid that is going to have a huge role for us,” Webb said.

In the third quarter, Moimoi was the only Charger to record multiple made baskets. But Kentridge just couldn’t muster enough offense to keep up with the Titans outside of Moimoi.

Come fourth quarter, Moimoi would leave the game after suffering a left forearm injury. He would not return, but when he left, the Chargers cut into the Titan lead.

A mix of points from Diaz and sophomore Kyle Lewis, who had a seven-point quarter, helped cut the lead to just one late in the fourth.

“He’s proven himself… It’s good to see we have guys locked in whether they think they will play or not,” Webb said.

That was as close as Kentridge would get as Todd Beamer’s Jaylin Wells and Timaje’ Johnson put the game on ice, making four free throws on four attempts.

“Beamer is just a tough team. They have their system and style and play really hard,” Webb said.

Moimoi’s injury is thought to be just a minor setback, and the hope is that he is ready for the Chargers’ next game against Emerald Ridge, along with Brown.

With those two back, there will be a huge boost on the offensive side of the floor in hopes of providing a little consistency on the offensive side of the floor.

“We’re just not super consistent. We just haven’t played a complete game…We gotta learn how to win, we know how to be competitive with teams. But we have to learn how to get over the hump. But that comes with the territory of being a young team,” Webb said.