28 teams joining holiday caging

The 2008 Annual Christmas Basketball Jam Festival has a record field with 28 teams competing in the youth caging that will kick off this Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Elias Rangamar of the Division of Sports and Recreation said the response from various clubs and schools is overwhelming.

“We got a very good number this year and I think this is the biggest in years. Schools and clubs even have to split the group into two teams to accommodate players who are eager to join the tournament,” said Rangamar, who added they are holding separate games for male and female players.

Kagman High School’s Francis San Nicolas is among those coaches who will be fielding more than one team in the tournament.

“This time of the year is the time to have fun. We want a lot of players to enjoy the tournament,” said San Nicolas, who will also have a girls team competing in the holiday hoops.

San Nicolas’ Lady Ayuyus were this year’s champions in the MISO junior varsity caging and some of his players are in Kagman’s team, while others are playing for other squads.

“It doesn’t matter which team you played for. What matter is you enjoy the game and spend time with your friends through this tournament,” he added.

Female students of MHS are also joining the Christmas caging with CNMI Junior National Team members Lia Rangamar and Jacque Wonenberg splitting up and forming their own teams.

Besides the 18-and-under division, this weekend’s tournament will also hold competitions in the 14-and-under age group.

Tournament director Gabriel White in an email to Saipan Tribune said the boys’ 14-and-under division has 10 teams. The list include the Rollers A and B, Lil’ Sonics, G-Stars, Sixers I and II, Hopwood, Hilitai, LMA, and ChaCha Oceaniaview Junior High School.

Twelve teams will be competing for the boys’ 18-and-under crown: Rollers A, B, and C; Manta Rays; Sonics; Junior Sonics; G-Stars; Ayuyus; Runnin’ Rebels; Ol’Aces; Sixers; and the ACS Torchbears.

The girls’ 18-and-under division will feature two teams from MHS, the Lady Ayuyus, and the Lady Knights. Only two squads will be playing in the girls’ 14-and-under division—Hopwood and ChaCha Oceanview.

Holiday Hoops, which is being supported by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, BANMI, Division of Youth Services, Saipan Mayor’s Office, and Division of Sports and Recreation will run from Dec. 27 to Jan. 3.

Last year’s Christmas caging had the G-Stars downing the Sonics in the finals, 62-60.

In the battle for third place, the San Antonio Sixers notched a 92-85 win over the visiting Team Tinian.

Tinian is skipping this year’s Christmas caging due to funding problems.