Kagman 1, MHS 1 triumph

A Kagman High School 1 player scoots in for a layup against a Saipan Southern High School defender during their game in the Public School System Interscholastic 3×3 Basketball Tournament last Saturday at the Koblerville Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Kagman High School was unbeaten in the Public School System Interscholastic 3×3 Basketball Tournament to win the boys division crown, while Marianas High School 1 clinched the girls championship last Saturday at the Koblerville Gymnasium.

The Ayuyus earned four victories in the double-elimination tournament, including a 14-7 triumph over MHS 1 in Game 1 of the finals to prevail in the 12-team field.

The Dean Blake-led Kagman 1 first downed MHS 3 at the start of the playoff round and then outclassed Saipan Southern High School 3 in its second game to advance to the semifinals of the winner’s bracket. In the semis, the Ayuyus were pitted against the visiting Tinian High School 2 and the former secured the first finals seat after a 14-11 victory. The win also gave Kagman 1 the twice-to-beat advantage in the championship round.

Tinian 2, on the other hand, fell to the loser’s bracket and had to challenge MHS 1 for the last finals berth. Tinian 2, before bowing to Kagman 1, slipped past Kagman 3, Da’Ok, and MHS 1. The Dolphins topped Kagman 2 in their first game and made it back-to-back with a win over MHS 2 before losing to Tinian in the third round.

MHS 1 then fought its way out of the loser’s bracket to remain in contention for the division crown. MHS 1 beat MHS 3 and Saipan Southern 3 and then got even with Tinian, as the former eked out a 20-17 win over the Stallions to set up a finals showdown against the undefeated Kagman 1.

The Ayuyus went on to preserve their perfect record after edging MHS 1 right in Game 1 of the finals.

In the girls division, MHS 1 won against Tinian 1 twice in the finals to steal the championship.

The Lady Dolphins escaped with a 6-5 victory in Game 1 to force the deciding Game 2, which was also closely fought with MHS 1 pulling off a 6-4 win.

MHS 1 had its back against the wall in the championship round, as it lost to MHS 2 right in its first game. MHS 2 marched on to play Tinian 1 in the winner’s bracket with the visiting team winning, 7-5, to make it to the finals with a twice-to-beat advantage.

MHS 1, on the other hand, squared off against Tinian 2 and won, 5-3, to keep its finals hopes alive. Next up was the all-Lady Dolphins duel for the last finals seat and MHS 1 avenged its earlier loss to MHS 2, 7-5, and barged into the championship round against the favored and undefeated Tinian 1. The Lady Dolphins went on sweep Tinian 1 in the finals with back-to-back nail-biters.