Back-to-back wins for Dolphins

Marianas High School was simply too much for Mt. Carmel School as the Dolphins routed the Knights, 77-44, in the junior varsity division of the 2008-2009 Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization Basketball League Friday night at the MHS Gymnasium.

The victory was second for the Dolphins, who had a tough time against Kagman High School in their debut two weeks ago before pulling off a 62-59 victory.

With a 2-0 record, the Dolphins are now sharing the No. 1 spot with defending champion Saipan Southern High School

The Knights absorbed their second loss in as many games after dropping their first match of the season against the Manta Rays.

Mt. Carmel kept MHS at bay only in the first quarter as the latter led by only six after 10 minute of play, 14-8.

But the next three quarters were smooth sailing for the Dolphins, who began pulling away in the second period, outgunning the Knights, 21-12, to take a 33-20 halftime lead.

The lead increased to 27 at the end of the third period, 55-28, as the Knights could not hit their marks with no MCS player making more than one field goal in that quarter.

In contrast, the Dolphins were on target at the start of the second half, particularly Nino Feria. Feria, who was held to six points in the first half, found his rhythm in the third period, drilling 12 points, while Romulo Sarmiento fired all his seven in that quarter.

There was no way Mt. Carmel could make a comeback in the fourth period, as it continued to struggle offensively drawing points from only three players.

Seven Dolphins made it into the scoreboard in the fourth quarter with Dan Garrigo connecting on two triples and Feria adding four more points.

Feria led all scorers with 22 markers, while Chistian Hidalgo and Garrigo also finished in double figures with 10 points apiece. The rest of the Dolphins combined for 35 points.

Min Seung was the lone bright spot for the Knights’ offense, knocking in 16 markers. Bela Baka chipped in nine, while the rest of his teammates tallied 16 points.

The Knight lost to MHS in last year’s battle for third place. Southern won the junior varsity title over the KHS Ayuyus.

This year’s junior varsity competition will have a three round-robin format in the regular season and will have a crossover format in the playoffs with the No. 1 team colliding with the No. 4 squad for the first finals ticket. The No. 2 and 3 teams will duel for the second finals berth.

MHS 77 – Feria 22, Garrigo 10, Hidalgo 10, Chan 9, Crisostomo 8, Sarmiento 7, Deleon Guerrero 4, Sula 4, Duatin 2, Liberato 1.

MCS 44 – Min 16, B. Baka 9, Yoon 6, G. Baka 4, Han 4, Bautista 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-8, 33-20, 55-28, 77-44.