Lady Rays sting Ayuyus

The Saipan Southern High School Lady Manta Rays defeated Kagman High School Lady Ayuyus, 44-36, in the varsity game in the 2011-2012 Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization Girls Basketball League last Thursday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The Lady Rays improved to a 3-2 record and are seated at second place behind the unbeaten MHS Lady Dolphins (5-0). The Lady Ayuyus fell to a 1-3 slate and are tied with Saipan International School Geckos.

Roxanne Duenas led Southern’s third victory with her 25 points. She went to work early, scoring 14 points in the opening 10 minutes to lift the Lady Rays to a 16-6 lead.

The Lady Ayuyus managed to pick up their scoring a bit in the second quarter and moved within eight at halftime, 24-16. Then in the third quarter, Kagman cut the deficit to seven, 25-32, capitalizing on Duenas’ lackluster offense. The Southern gunner had a minor injury in the third period, causing her to slow down and score only one basket.

In the fourth canto, KHS came within three points, but Duenas returned to the floor and did a good job working down the lock and hitting timely baskets to foil the Lady Ayuyus’ comeback bids.

Ann Halstead turned in 11 markers for Kagman.

In the junior varsity game, Southern also prevailed over Kagman, 22-17.

The Southern JV squad notched its third win in four matches and leads MHS (2-1) by one win. Kagman is still winless in three tries.

Kagman battled Southern in a close match, but the Lady Rays were steady throughout the match.

Vanessa Bartolo paced Southern with four points in the first quarter, which ended with the Lady Rays on top, 6-4. Josie Santos then delivered four points in the second quarter as the Lady Rays pulled ahead at the pause, 12-7.

At the start of the second half, Jowanda Rasa led Kagman’s rally to trim the deficit to three, 13-16, heading into the last period. However, the Lady Ayuyus still failed to overhaul and lead in the fourth canto, as only Natasha Quitano scored for Kagman in the payoff period.

Santos and Bartolo combined for 14 points for Southern, while Quitano led the field with 11.

Meanwhile, Southern’s varsity team will face SIS in the lone game on Tuesday at 4:30pm.

SSHS 22 – Santos 8, V. Bartolo 6, C. Bartolo 2, Francisco 2, C. Lizama 2 Rekeiswag 2.

KHS 17– Quitano 11, Rasa 4, Castro 2.

Scoring by quarters: 6-4, 12-7, 16-13, 22-17.

SSHS 44 – Duenas 25, R. Lizama 8, C. Lizama 7, Gelacio 6.

KHS 36 – Halstead 11, Kaipat 6, Pialug 5, Dela Cruz 4, Rosa 4, Ada 2, Jetley 2, Pelep 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-6, 24-16, 32-25, 44-36.