Eagles stun Knights in middle school caging

Grace Christian Academy fended off Mount Carmel School’s comeback push for a 26-20 upset in the Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Middle School Basketball League yesterday at GCA’s court.

Lance Lerio made a layup with 20 seconds left in the game and drew a foul from one of the Knights defenders to seal it for the Eagles. He missed the bonus shot, but the deuce was enough for GCA to notch its second consecutive victory for a 5-4 record, while the favored Knights slipped to a 7-2 slate.

Before Lerio nailed the insurance, MCS nipped at the Eagles’ heels with 26 seconds left in the final quarter, as Gabby San Nicolas’ free throw inched the Knights within 4 points, 20-24. Despite Mount Carmel’s best efforts to close the gap in the dying seconds, GCA’s headstrong defense frustrated the Knights the rest of the way.

Mt. Carmel had to play catch up, as the Eagles got off to a good start, building a 11-3 lead at the end of the first period, behind the free throws of Lerio, Praise Woo, and Ryan Daproza. MCS struggled, as only San Nicolas and Leo Naraja scored and all their points came from the charity stripe.

The Knights then started to show signs of life in the second canto, as San Nicolas slashed through the lane for two layups and Naraja cashed in on a 15-footer. However, siblings Jason Du and Justin Du countered with a field goal apiece to keep GCA’s head above the water at the break, 15-9,

At the resumption of the game, O’hane Borja banked in a trey to move the Knights within 3, 12-15. However, the Eagles gained more cushion anew with Railee Yumul putback and Lerio’s completed 3-point play. GCA kept the 6-point advantage at the end of the third period, 20-14, as Mt. Carmel made only one more field goal off Naraja’s floater.

The Eagles went on to foil the Knights’ comeback bid in the fourth frame to bag their fifth win.

Lerio led GCA with his 8 points, while Daproza added 7. Naraja top-scored for the Knights with 11 points, while San Nicolas chipped in 6

Meanwhile, Mt. Carmel earned a come-from-behind win over GCA in the girls division game, 28-23.

The Lady Knights were behind by 2 points heading into the fourth period, 19-21, when Kaithlyn Chavez spearheaded their rally, scoring 9 points in the final frame. Chavez led all scorers with her 16 points, while Kaeli Pathil contributed 6.

Azriel Fatialofa finished in double-digits for the Eagles with her 10 points, while Soleil Lamar logged 7.

The Lady Knights improved their record to 3-2 record, while GCA slipped to a 2-4 card.

In other results, Agape Christian School outclassed Saipan Community School in the latter’s court, 46-29.

The Tsunamis kept the Torchbearers within striking distance only in the first half with the latter ahead by 3, 19-16. However, Agape left the former in the dust after the break, as the Torchbearers registered 27 points in the second half.

David Zheng and Bobby Bao paced the Torchbearers after making 12 points apiece. Charlie McDonald led SCS with his 16 points, while Isaiah Aleksenko also hit double figures with his 11 markers.

Agape has yet to lose a game and now holds a 9-0 record, while SCS absorbed its sixth loss in nine outings.

Games in the middle school caging will continue today with Agape and Mt. Carmel playing in a double-header at at the Koblerville Gymnasium and SCS hosting Northern Marianas International School in Susupe. Saipan International School and GCA will square off in the latter’s court in Navy Hill.

Boys Division
GCA 26—Lerio 8, Daproza 7, Justin Du 4, Woo 3, Jason Du 2, Yumul 2.
MCS 20—Naraja 11, San Nicolas 6, Borja 3.
Scoring by quarters: 11-3, 15-9, 20-14, 26-20

ACS 46—Bao 12, Zheng 12, Li 8, Tang 8, He 2, Liang 2, Qiu 2.
SCS 29—McDonald 16, Aleksenko 11, Timmons 2.
Scoring by quarters: 11-8, 19-16, 33-23, 46-29

Girls Division
MCS 28—Chavez 16, Pathil 6, Gamb 2, Kiser 2, Matsumoto 2.
GCA 23—Fatialofa 10, Lamar 7, Saures 4, Camacho 2.
Scoring by quarters: 4-1, 13-11, 19-21, 28-23