MHS rolls past Kagman in MISO caging

Defending champion Marianas High School banked on Michael Espinosa’s game-long brilliance in cruising to a 74-43 decision over Kagman High School in last Friday’s game in the Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization Boys Basketball League at the MHS Gymnasium.

Mt. Carmel School’s Zander Tkel, right, tries to score against two Marianas Baptist Academy players in an earlier game in the 2014-2015 Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization Boys Basketball League. Tkel is doing his share to help the Knights’ title bid this season. (Jon Perez)

On Wednesday, MHS breezed through another easy 73-28 win over Grace Christian Academy.

Espinosa scattered 25 points to power MHS to its eighth straight win to remain on top of the 13-team field while handing Kagman its fourth loss in seven games.

Espinosa scored 12 of his total output in the second period where he helped the Dolphins, who pulled away early, enjoy a whopping 49-13 spread at the turn.

Even when Espinosa went scoreless in the third, the reigning titlists were never threatened and entered the fourth period with an insurmountable lead, 60-25.

DJay Ong was the other MHS player who finished in twin digits with 10, while Karlo De Leon had 9 markers. Ethan Manalili and Kobee Mendoza chipped in 8 points each.

Andrew Palino was the only Ayuyu to hit double figures with 17, while Vladimir Arceo, Justice Evangelista, Doming Faisao, Kenneth Lizama, and Melvin Sakisat made 4 apiece.

Mt. Carmel School, meanwhile, squeezed out a 55-53 win over Saipan Southern High School to tie their victims at third to fourth places with 6-2 cards.

William Camacho paced Mt. Carmel’s scoring with 16, while Son Jong Hyun contributed 13 more. Zander Tkel made 9 markers.

Jethro Cruz and Gerald Flores combined for 30 of Southern’s points.

In the first game, SSHS junior varsity waltzed to a 67-34 victory against MHS 9 with N-Nes Siech and Joseph Taitano scoring 12 points each.

No MHS 9 player reach double digits with Matthew Mamaril ending up with 8, while Jake Pangelinan and Casey Hofschneider tallied 8 and 7 markers, respectively.

SSHS JV also defeated KHS, 55-37, on Wednesday.

In the other game last Wednesday, Saipan International School kept Marianas Baptist Academy winless after a 52-44 decision.

On Monday, KHS 9 squeezed out a 56-55 win over MHS 9; SSHS 9 slipped past KHS JV, 43-36; and SSHS varsity trounced SIS, 70-27.

First Game
SSHS JV 67 – Siech 12, Taitano 12, Anderson 9, Muna 8, Alipio 6, Borromeo 6, Kapileo 6, Aque 4, Ada 2, Cobacha 2.

MHS 9 34 – Mamaril 8, Pangelinan 7, Hofschneider 6, Manglona 4, Huliganga 3, Mendoza 2, Prado 2, Tanghal 2.

Scoring by quarters: 15-5, 25-14, 57-19, 67-34.

Second Game
MCS 55 – Camacho 16, Son 13, Tkel 9, Deleon Guerrero 6, Toves 6, Hahn 5.

SSHS 53 – Cruz 20, Flores 10, Palacios 6, Javier 4, Raquero 4, Kintaro 3.

Scoring by quarters: 15-8, 24-22, 36-33, 55-53.

Third Game
MHS 74 – Espinosa 25. Ong 10, De Leon 9, Manalili 8, Mendoza 8, Arciaga 7, Benavente 5, Malonzo 3.

KHS 43 – Palino 17, Arceo 4, Evangelista 4, Faisao 4, Lizama 4, Sakisat 4, Prado 3, Paran 2, Phillips 1.

24-7, 49-13, 60-25, 74-43.