Lagooners complete mission with juice out win

The Lagooners completed their regular season on a high note yesterday, juicing out against the Caropinos, 67-30, in the ongoing 2005 World Organized Rocball High School League at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

As reported earlier, the Lagooners had a comfortable lead heading into the fourth set after dominating the first three sets, 48-20, Wednesday.

Despite managing to suit up only four players, the team continued to dominate when action resumed yesterday and took a 4-0 lead, with Danny Daniels knocking in an ace.

The Caropinos finally got on the board on an error by their opponents, but service quickly went back to the Lagooners, who increased their lead to 9-1.

That’s when the Caropinos turned things around and began to show some life. Little by little, the team moved closer and was eventually down by just a point when the Lagooners swung momentum back to their corner.

The Lagooners soon found themselves at match point, but the Caropinos were able to survive for a while and got more points on their corner. Their run, however, ended during the Lagooners’ third match point as Typhoon Saito served out the match, 19-10.

With the win, the Lagooners finished in third place with a 5-2 win-loss record. The loss dropped Caropinos to 0-7.

Daniels finished as the game’s heavy hitter as he led the Lagooners with 13 points after pounding away for four aces, a xunk, and a goal. Graceful Fiden also had a strong outing and contributed 11 points on four aces and a goal.

Meanwhile, only one regular season game remains, with current league-leader and defending champion Mwaliyas scheduled to face No. 2 Ochobu.

According to Rocball creator Jim Feger, Ochobu can force a one-game playoff to determine who will be the No. 1 seed in the playoffs by beating Mwaliyas, which enter the bout with a 6-0 card. If Ochobu wins, the two teams will both sport 6-1 records. A win by Mwaliyas will automatically give them the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and No. 2 for Ochobu.

Feger added that the No. 4 spot has yet to be determined as both B-n-S and Black Magic are tied with 4-3 records.

“They’re going to play in a one-game playoff after the Mwaliyas-Ochobu match, and the winner will advance to the playoffs,” Feger said, citing that the first serve of the match will possibly be on Wednesday.

Feger added that if necessary, the one-game playoff between Mwaliyas and Ochobu will be played after he returns from an off-island trip next month.

“If they’re going to need a playoff, then we’ll have to wait until I return on Feb. 14,” he said. “If not, then when I return, the semifinals will begin.”

Format for the semis features a best-of-three series, with the winners advancing to the finals.

For more information on high school Rocball, contact Feger at 237-3235.