DMS only undefeated boys hoops team left

Hopwood Middle School’s Kendrick Garcia, right, drives through DanDan Middle School’s defense of Edward Manibusan during their game in the IT&E Interscholastic Boys Middle School Basketball League 2022-2023 last Monday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.(LEIGH GASES)

DanDan Middle School is the only undefeated team left in the IT&E Interscholastic Boys Middle School Basketball League 2022-2023. 

The Tottots defeated Hopwood Middle School, 25-13, on Monday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium for their sixth straight win.

In a hard-fought defensive game on both sides, the Tottots managed to shoot their way to victory.

The Hilitais, fresh off their first win of the season a week prior, wanted the win as much as the Tottots did—making moves toward the basket at every opportunity they had. Though they shot and missed most of the time, that didn’t stop them from trying to break through the Tottots’ defenses.

It was a close first half as it ended with just a 3-point Tottots lead, 9-6. HMS’ Carl Sanchez, Kendrick Garcia, and Dwayne Tabhan contributed their team’s points, while it was a good passing game for the Tottots as five of their players had markers of their own.

In the second half, the Hilitais were fatigued and their defense faltered, allowing more baskets to be made by the Tottots. They couldn’t find the basket either and were reduced to just 7 points as the Tottots dominated the paint with their defense and teamwork.

Garcia scored 3 more points, while Sanchez scored a field goal, and Chris Esdrelon was fouled and shot two free throws. That was all the Hilitais could muster and the lead widened as the Tottots continued to put the ball into the basket.

Dyson Danis banked 6 points, and Matthew Peters, Arvin Hornejas, Dane Tibayan, and another player scored 2 each in the second half for the Tottots, which was enough to seal their sixth win of the season. 

The other DMS boys in the team are Jordan Agulto, Christopher Cruz, Aidi Danis, Matua Fejeran, Nigel Kochi, Edward Manibusan, Vincent Palacios, Kallan Seidler, Joshua Yorormad, Rodney Tomei, and Louis Rectitud.

In other results that day, Saipan Community School won against Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, 24-18; Saipan International School won a lopsided game against Grace Christian Academy, 65-18; and Agape Christian School beat Mount Carmel School, 48-34.

As of Monday in the standings, DMS leads with six wins; SIS is at 7-1; FMS and ACS are 6-2; ChaCha Ocean View Middle School have two wins and five losses; MCS has an even four wins and losses; SCS is at 3-4; TMS and HMS have one win and seven losses each; and GCA has yet to win with eight losses.

DMS 25 – Danis 6, Hornejas, Tibayan 4, Tomei 2, Rectitud 1.
HMS 13 – Garcia 4, Sanchez 4, Tabhan 3, Esdrelon 2.
Scoring by halves: 9-6; 25-13.