MHS Dolphins’ blueprint for success

Basketball teams playing with depleted lineups could take a cue on how to win games from the MHS Dolphins.

Marianas High School regained the championship in the boys varsity division of the MISO Basketball League two weeks ago after slipping past Kagman High School in overtime, 76-72. The Dolphins did it with only eight players and sans their two gunners—Jericho Cruz and Marvin Rabauliman.

Cruz and Rabauliman were booted out of the team, a few days before the Dolphins-Ayuyus title match, which was played on Feb. 27.

MHS coaches Mark McDonald and Nick Gross declined to discuss the cause of Cruz and Rabauliman’s expulsions, and instead focused on the remaining eight players who brought glory back to the Dolphins.

“Winning the championship took the talent and dedication of eight incredibly hard-working young men. Without anyone of them, the results may have been much different,” Gross said.

Left to team up for MHS’ title conquest against Kagman were Clayton Kenty, Wes Tomokane, Zack Tudela, Joe Ada, Ronron Catap, Aemir Villegas, Noel Soria, and Champ Untalan.

Ada fired 36 points to lead the Dolphins’ offense, while Kenty and Soria also stepped up in the finals. The duo, who usually came off the bench when Rabauliman and Cruz were still on the team, combined for 26 points and had three each in the Dolphins’ 12 points in overtime.

Tudela, Villegas, Catap, and Untalan also did their share in keeping pace with Kagman’s backcourt, while Tomokane added depth inside with his rebounds and shot-blocking ability.

After leading by a deuce in the first quarter, 16-14, the Dolphins found themselves behind by a hair in the second period, 33-34. But Gross said his wards kept their focus and remained confident.

“I believe that by halftime, the team had begun to believe that they could play with Kagman, that the offense patterns we practiced for weeks were working when executed, that the hustling defense they played could stop Kagman’s high powered offense, and that fundamentally sound basketball skills could win,” Gross said.

Gross added free throw shooting was also a factor in the game.

The Ayuyus missed three charities that could have won them the title in regulation. Kagman went 9-for-22 at the foul line.

MHS did not perform well from the 15-foot line either, but it made more charities than Kagman, going 20-for-41.

“Players in the MISO caging should spend some time visiting the free throw line and the weight room,” Gross said.