3 schools undefeated in co-ed ES hoops

San Vicente Elementary School 1’s  Scott Pangelinan, left, dribbles away from Garapan Elementary School 1’s James Nolasco during their game in the co-ed elementary division of the IT&E Interscholastic Basketball League last Saturday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School 1, William S. Reyes Elementary School 1, and Tinian Elementary School are all undefeated in the IT&E Interscholastic Co-ed Elementary School Basketball League 2022-2023 played at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

GTC 1 is currently at 5-0, while WSR 1 and TES are both with 4-0 win-loss records.

All three schools lead their pools and have earned their spot in the playoffs starting on Dec. 1. 

GTC 1 notched their fifth win last Saturday after slipping past WSR 2 in a close game, 18-17, while WSR 1 came out unscathed for their fourth win against Koblerville Elementary School 1, 20-16.

Damian Marchadesch led the GTC Deer almost single-handedly with an 11-point run—shooting alone in the first period as their team trailed behind by 4 points. Then in the second period, teammates Siah Casil chimed in a free throw, while Ethan Borja punctured the hoop for 6 points, with his last 2 points the marginal basket against WSR 2.

The Kingfishers blew their lead from the first period as GTC found their rhythm and stride at the hoop, with WSR 2’s leading shooter Aldric Antonio swishing in 5 points, but it wasn’t enough to make a recovery against the Deer’s hook, line, and sinkers.

In the WSR 1 game against KobES, Joshua Lizama led the high-flying Kingfishers to victory with 12 points. Ha’anisha Taitano swished the net for 6 points, while Zowie Deleon Guerrero knocked in 2. 

The Umangs’ top scorers were Logan Daniel with 6 points, Napu Pangelinan with 5, and Eric Palacios Jr. with 4, but the Umangs came to a crawl toward the end of the game as they could not put up any more points against the swift and speedy Kingfishers.

In other results that day, San Vicente Elementary School 1 stopped Garapan Elementary School 1, 16-2; GTC 2 blanked Saipan International School, 14-0; and KobES 2 held back SIS 2, 32-9.

In the standings behind WSR 1 in Pool A are GES 2 with a 3-1 card, KobES 1 at 2-2, and GTC 2, 1-3. In Pool B behind GTC 1 are KobES 2 at 4-1, WSR 2 at 3-2, and GES 1, SVS 1, and SIS 2 with 1-4 records. In Pool C behind Tinian are KagES with a 3-1 record, Grace Christian Academy at 2-2, Brilliant Star School at 1-3, while Sinapalo Elementary School have yet to win with four losses.

In the playoffs on Dec. 1, GCA will face off with WSR 2, KobES 1 will do battle against GTC 2, KobES 2 will challenge GES 1, KagES will be against BSS. Then, GTC 1 will square off against the winner of the GCA vs WSR 2, and WSR 1 will take on the winner of KobES 1 vs. GTC 2.

The championship tournament is set for Dec. 3. 

The IT&E Interscholastic Co-ed Elementary School Basketball League 2022-2023 season is being organized by the Public School System Athletic Program with help from the Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation.

GTC 1 18 – Damian Marchadesch 11, Borja 6, Casil 1.
WSR 2 17 – Antonio 5, Borja, Elaisar, Olaitaman, Montanio 2, 
Scoring by halves: 6-10, 18-17.

WSR 1 20 – Lizama 12, Taitano 6, Deleon Guerrero 2.
KobES 1 16 – Daniel 6, Pangelinan 5, Palacios Jr. 4, Mallens 1,
Scoring by halves: 10-6, 20-16.