Middle school caging semis cast complete

Saipan Community School’s Charlie McDonald, left, is fouled by Saipan International School’s Daniel Nam during their quarterfinals game in the CCOPSA middle school caging yesterday at the SIS court in As Lito. SCS won, 45-36, to advance to the semifinals. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Saipan Community School, Grace Christian Academy, and Mount Carmel School prevailed over their respective opponents to advance to the semifinals of the boys division of the 2018-2019 Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Middle School Basketball League.

The No. 5 seed SCS upset No. 4 Saipan International School in the latter’s court in As Lito, 45-36, to arrange a semis duel against the unbeaten Agape Christian School, which got an outright Final Four berth after topping the regular season.

Behind at 32-33, the Tsunamis went on a 13-2 scoring surge in the last four minutes to eliminate the Geckos.

Charlie McDonald anchored SCS’ strong finish, as he scored 11 markers in the deciding frame, while Isaiah Aleksenko netted 6 of his 8 points in that period. Daniel Nam and Dylan Mister combined for three treys in an effort to keep the Geckos in the game, but they were not enough to prevent the Tsunamis from recording an upset.

SIS absorbed the sorry loss despite taking the early lead at the end of the first quarter. William Xue swished a 3-pointer and a midrange jumper, while Nam added 3 points for the Geckos’ 8-6 lead. Aleksenko, McDonald, and Miles Borja scored one field goal apiece to keep SIS within striking distance.

The Geckos clung to the shaky lead heading into the break, 19-17, with Mister, Nam, and Xue combining for 11 points in the second quarter and Borja, McDonald, Daniel Kang, and Edward Diaz also teaming up for 11 markers for the Tsunamis.

Kang then kicked off SCS’ offense in the third period, firing the team’s first 7 points, while McDonald started to gain momentum, finishing the quarter with two layups to put the Tsunamis on top, 28-27.

McDonald’s then kept going in the fourth to bring SCS to the semifinals. He led all scorers with his 21 points, while Kang and Aleksenko chipped in 10 and 8 markers, respectively.

Nam finished with 20 points, 12 came from the 3-point territory. Xue and Mister logged 8 markers apiece in the losing effort.

In other results, No. 3 GCA moved on to the semis after routing No. 7 Northern Marianas International School, 48-27, at the Eagles court in Navy Hill.

The Eagles held a slight advantage over the Phoenix heading into the break, 17-15, before finding their stride in the second half to send NMIS packing.

Ryan Daproza and Justin Du had 12 and 11, respectively, for GCA, while Jason Du and Railee Yumul contributed 6 markers apiece. Justin Mateo had 12 points for NMIS, while J.P. Pineda added 8.

Meanwhile, MCS got a free win and semis slot after No. 7 Seventh Day Adventist forfeited the quarterfinals match.

Mt. Carmel will next face GCA as they battle for the first finals berth tomorrow at 3:30pm at the Koblerville Gymnasium.

Today, the semis round in the girls division will be played. No. 1 Agape will lock horns with the No. 4 SDA in the former’s court in Gualo Rai, while the No. 2 MCS will face GCA at the Koblerville Gymnasium.

Game 1
SCS 45—McDonald 21, Kang 10, Aleksenko 8, Borja 4, Diaz 2
SIS 36 —Nam 20, Mister 8, Xue 8,
Scoring by quarters: 6-8, 17-19, 28-27, 45-36

Game 2
GCA 48—Daproza 12, Jusin Du 11, Jason Du 6, Yumul 6, Lerio 4, Woo 3, Adriatico 2, Alepuyo 2, Magtalas 2.
NMIS 27—Mateo 12, Pineda 8, Balgos 4, Valdoz 3.
Scoring by quarters: 9-9, 17-15, 26-17, 48-27