29 make NMI hoops U15 national pool

Players under the NMI Junior National Team Program pool perform warm-up drills during an off the court training session last month at the Oleai Sports Complex. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

After a month-long tryout, the Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation has selected 29 players for the NMI Junior National Team Program to move forward with its preparations for a regional tournament late this year.

NMIBF vice president David Apatang, who oversees the junior program, said 20 players have been initially named to the boys U15 pool, while nine are on the girls side. Players from the pool will have a chance to represent the NMI to the FIBA Oceania U15 Championships, which Guam will be hosting in November.

Heman Addy, A.J. Bisanen, Mjay Capalad, Kyrell Cariag, John Enrico Cavinta, Slymark Defang, Austin Diaz, Jerry Faimaw Jr., Lance Lerio, Darnell Lizama, Christian Lucero, Mike Mercado Jr., Jespher Navarro, Jay Pineda, Onick Ragbonshe, Leonara Regalado, Ethan Sablan, Rance Surla, Andrei Viola, and Peter White made the boys pool. The girls group, on the other hand, has Jayla Ayuyu, Asa Backe, Maria Enriquez, Valerie Estella, Aaleyah and Aiyan Fatialofa, Chealszka Navarro, Mya Pangelinan, and Aubrey White.

“The boys team is an exciting group of young men. They come from different clubs all over the island and have sizable height, explosive skills, and impressive basketball knowledge. The young ladies that we currently have possess a great energy for learning and show a vast amount of potential.

The girls team is currently still recruiting for more athletes and anyone interested are encourage to contact NMIBF,” Apatang said.

After the first selection late last month, the pool has since returned to the court to continue its regular training sessions. The boys pool trains every Tuesday and Friday at the Gilbert C. Ad Gymnasium, while the girls take over the court on Thursdays (Ada) and Saturday TSL Sports Complex.

“Our practices have been focused mainly on conditioning and fundamentals. Both teams will pursue a similar route as the men and women’s national teams, such as the phase-type approach. Phases consist of tryouts, off-season, pre-season, and on-season. The teams are currently in the off-season phase, which covers strength and conditioning,” Apatang added.

The boys and girls teams are also working with prospective coaches, who will be named along with the final roster for each squad a few months before the November competition.

Meanwhile, the NMIBF is hoping to see players on the boys pool suit up for their respective schools in the upcoming IT&E Interscholastic Middle School Basketball League to gain actual game experience that will be helpful as they prepare for the FIBA Oceania event. (PR)