Ayuyus undefeated heading into HS caging playoffs

In this file photo, Kagman High School’s Frankie Satur goes for a lay up against a Saipan International School basketball player in the 2022-2023 IT&E Interscholastic Boys High School Basketball League played at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.(LEIGH GASES)

The Kagman High School Ayuyus swept all their games in the regular season for an undefeated campaign in the 2022-2023 IT&E Interscholastic Boys High School Basketball League.

Heading into the championship tournament set to begin on March 16, the Ayuyus handed the erstwhile undefeated Marianas High School Dolphins their only loss in the league last Friday at the MHS Gymnasium.

It was a low-scoring game with a final score of 39-29—unlike previous ones as their defenses were as hot as their win streaks—with fouls made left and right.

The Ayuyus were fouled back to back with half of their points made in the first half through free throws. Frankie Satur, who is a beast on the offense and defense, had a tough time making shots as he was tightly guarded by the Dolphins.

Nevertheless, Satur zigged while they zagged and still scored the second highest in the team with 9 points. Teammate Anthony Dikito led the Ayuyus with 11 points as the Dolphins were limited to just 13 points in the first half.

The Dolphins’ Airson Atan and Khristian David tried to put in the work offensively with 9 and 8 points apiece, but were stopped dead in their tracks by a more aggressive defense of the Ayuyus. 

Aiden Norita contributed 4 in the Dolphins’ quest for the W but it was not enough as the Ayuyus pulled further ahead in the last minutes of the game.

In the end, the Ayuyus’ Alejandro Ortiz had 8 markers, Lucio Aldan made 7, and Nobet Hocog scored 4. 

The other varsity game of the night was won by Agape Christian School, 56-36, over Grace Christian Academy. There were no junior varsity games that night.

In last Wednesday’s games, the Mount Carmel School varsity team blew through Saipan International School, 48-30. In the JV games, MHS won against KHS, 30-24 and Saipan Southern High School defeated MCS, 23-9.

In the varsity standings, MHS is right behind KHS with a 5-1 card; SSHS is 4-2; MCS is at 4-3; ACS is 3-4; SIS is 1-6; and Grace Christian Academy is 0-7. 

In the junior varsity standings, MHS JV is undefeated with 9 wins; SSHS is at 6-4; KHS is 5-3; MHS JV-2 is 3-5; MCS JV has yet to win with seven losses; Rota is at 1-1; and Tinian is at 2 losses.

The double-elimination championship tournament is scheduled for Thursday, March 13, starting at 4:45pm, continues the next day at the same time, then the finals starts at 8:30am on Saturday, March 18.

KHS  – Dikito 11, Satur 9, Ortiz 8, Aldan 7, Hocog 4.
MHS  – Atan 9, David 8, Norita 4, Licayan 2, Lucas 2, Viana 2, Johnny 2.
Scoring by halves: 19-13; 39-29.