ACS steals W in close caging matchup

In this file photo, Agape Christian School’s Raffy Cai, left, leaps into the air for a layup as Saipan Community School’s David Ye attempts to block it during their game in the IT&E Interscholastic Boys Middle School Basketball League 2022-2023 at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (MARK RABAGO )

Agape Christian School stole a win against ChaCha Ocean View Middle School in a close matchup of the IT&E Interscholastic Boys Middle School Basketball League 2022-2023 last Friday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

Both teams fought hard throughout the game and by the last buzzer, the final score was 32-31.

The Torchbearers had a one-day break from playing and bounced back after their only loss of the season so far against a strong DanDan Middle School team.

In this game, though the Lancherus picked up just their second win of the season, put up a valiant fight to the finish but just fell short by one point and blew what would’ve been their third win. 

The Torchbearers early on were putting up big numbers as Daniel Song made a basket from the 3-point line. Attacks at the basket were then made consecutively by Daniel Yang and then another 3-pointer resounded off a jump shot by Song. 

The Lancherus were not quiet either as they kept pace with the Torchbearers with Liam Wilson scoring 8 points. By the end of the first half, it was a tied 16-16 ball game.

Heading into the second half, the heat was turned up on the court as both teams wanted the win. Another big 3-point shot was made by the Torchbearers’ Raffy Cai who was followed up with a three-pointer by Song a little later.

Momentum swayed for both sides with Wilson still making his markers for a back-and-forth shooting game. The game slowed down a bit after COVMS’ Aiken Norita sank three free throws after he was fouled.

It was still a tight game and it could go either way in the last seconds but a clutch free throw made by Song in the final seconds sealed the deal for the Torchbearers as the Lancherus fell short by one in a game played with maximum effort from both teams.

In other varsity results that day, DMS routed SIS in another close game, 33-32; Mount Carmel School pulled away from Hopwood Middle School to win 25-20; and Francisco M. Sablan Middle School won a lopsided 43-15 game against Tanapag Middle School.

For the junior varsity bout, FMS JV overpowered MCS JV, 34-7; and HMS JV won against DMS JV 13-7.

As of Friday in the varsity standings, DMS are undefeated with five wins, FMS and SIS have five wins and one loss; ACS are at 4-1; MCS has a 3-2 record; COVMS are 2-4; Saipan Community School are 1-3; TMS are 1-5; and Grace Christian Academy and HMS have no wins and five losses.

ACS 32 – Song 16, Yang 8, Cai 5.
COVMS 31 – Wilson 15, Pangelinan 4, Seman 4, Norita 3, Apatang 2.
Scoring by halves: 16-16; 32-31.