SYRACUSE -- For three years running, the Titans have been the flagship of Region 1 girls basketball.
With Oklahoma State assistant coach Bill Annan in attendance, Cowgirls signee Brittney Martin splashed in a season-high 31 points on 13-of-22 shooting Thursday and state 5-A runner-up Syracuse High clinched no less than a tie for its fourth consecutive league title with a 62-50 victory over the Warriors.
"Coach Annan has never seen me play before," said Martin, a senior guard/forward. "Maybe I shot a little more today, but I didn't change my game that much."
Martin, the No. 2 scorer in the 5-A ranks averaging 19.59 points per game, rang up a double-double with 10 rebounds -- five offensive boards -- six assists and six steals for the Titans (17-0 overall, 9-0 league), who are the state's lone undefeated team.
Martin scored 22 second-half points, including 11 in a 15-3 Syracuse run closing out the third quarter after Weber had pulled within 33-31 at the 4:32 mark.
"I think Weber always comes to play, so I expected this type of game. They hustle," said the 18-year-old Martin. "It's good to play a close game. I'm tired of beating teams and not getting to play the fourth quarter."
Courtney Starks scored 10 points, going 5-of-7 from the floor, with four rebounds and three steals for the Titans, who shot 48.2 percent (27-of-56) -- only 18.2 percent (2-of-11) on 3-point attempts -- outrebounded the Warriors 34-26 and committed 16 turnovers.
Syracuse, which spanked Weber 80-52 on Jan. 20 at Pleasant View, had 17 assists and swiped 16 steals.
"We needed a game like this to have our kids play in the fourth quarter," Syracuse coach Rob Reisbeck said. "We were a step slow on defense and not getting where we needed to be."
Erin Reichle tied her career high with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting with two 3s and five rebounds for Weber (14-6, 5-4), which shot 41.9 percent (18-of-43) -- 25.0 percent (2-of-8) from downtown -- but turned the ball over 27 times.
Chantil Martin tossed in 13 points and grabbed five boards. Cheyenne Tanner had five points, five assists and two steals for the Warriors, who are 6-4 in their last 10 games.
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