Guardians, Lancherus scoop wins in MS hoops opener

Saipan Community School’s David Ye, left, attempts a layup against a Tanapag Middle School defender during the opening game of the IT&E Interscholastic Boys Middle School Basketball League 2022-2023 last Monday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (LEIGH GASES)

Saipan Community School Guardians and ChaCha Ocean View Middle School Lancherus debuted with wins after drubbing their foes in the season opener of the IT&E Interscholastic Boys Middle School Basketball League 2022-2023 on Monday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The Guardians enjoyed a lopsided win against the Tanapag Middle School Tatagas, 30-16, while the Lancherus harvested a 24-16 win over the Grace Christian Academy Eagles.

David Ye was the guardian of the ball as he almost single-handedly made all the points save for one made by Jose Sablan from a free throw.

The Tatagas could not keep pace with Ye as he stormed the court and made easy layups and field goals without much opposition. Ye was a ball magnet and did what he did best—score. By the end of the game, the Tatagas were exhausted from trying to defend Ye and his teammates and succumbed to their first loss.

Jae Aeden Cruz sank 11 points for the Tatagas, while Jeremiah Yokota scored 2, and Anthon Tudela scored a three-pointer.

The Guardians including Ye and Sablan are Joshua Yoo, Daniel Li, David Park, Ma’ase De Oro, Tony Xiao, Soo Ho Jin, Richard Zhao, Patrick McDonald, and Elijah Pangelinan.

In the Lancherus-Eagles game, the Lancherus had to work extra hard in the second half as they led only by 1 point at the end of the first, 9-8. 

The Eagles’ Maximus Taitano was a force on the court and made all their points except for two which was made by Minako Takahashi. However, the Lancherus moved the ball around smoothly and made easy shots to pull ahead towards the end of the game.

The Lancherus’ Zayden Nekaifes and Liam Wilson had the most markers with 8 each.

The rest of the Lancherus are Darion Adelbai, Chase Agulto, Petuel Albert, David Apatang, Gregorio Rodriguez, Santiago Seman, Jacob Santos, Mark Sasaki, Jake Faisao, Aiken Norita, Payton Pangelinan, Jeremyah Kisa, and Jevaughn Villagomez.

In other results, Francisco M. Sablan Middle School lost to Saipan International by 1 point, 24-25; DanDan Middle School overpowered Mount Carmel School, 31-16; and Agape Christian School almost silenced Hopwood Middle School, 33-11.

SCS 30 – Ye 29, Sablan 1.
TMS 16 – Cruz 11, Tudela 3, Yokota 2.
Scoring by halves: 16-6; 30-16.

COVMS 24 – Nekaifes and Wilson 8, Seman 4, Agulto and Adelbai 2.
GCA 16 – Tatiano 14, Takahashi 2.
Scoring by halves: 9-8; 24-16.