Kobee completes season, eyes collegiate ball

Thomas Jefferson’s Kobee Mendoza goes for an isolation play against a Bethel defender during their game in the South Puget Sound League in Washington. (Contributed Photo)

Former CNMI Youth National Team member Kobee Mendoza is done with high school basketball and is hoping to play in the collegiate level.

Mendoza suited up for Thomas Jefferson High School last Feb. 12 and helped the Raiders finish second in the conference with its 5-3 record and 11-13 mark overall. Mendoza and his team placed runner-up to the No. 1 squad in the state—Federal Way—in the Northwest Conference. Federal Way had an unblemished 8-0 mark in the conference and 25-0 overall, while Todd Beamer (5-3), Mt. Rainier (2-6) and Decatur (0-8) completed the group.

“Our season ended two games into the playoffs as we lost to Yelm, 60-66, ” Mendoza said in his message to Saipan Tribune last Monday.

Despite dropping their last match and missing the playoffs, Mendoza is happy with his lone season with the Raiders.

“I’m just happy I played at TJ for my final year of high school basketball. The support I get from everyone at the school is amazing. The teachers came out to the games, all the students came and watched us, we have like the best student section. Even the alumni came down to support us,” the former Marianas High School standout said.

“It’s hard to describe the season in one word. There’s so much that was new to me. From bus rides to away games to the type of players I faced to the uniforms and gear we get to wear just for being part of the program. I feel like the entire season was just a big experience to cherish and learn from,” he added.

The perennial MVP of various youth leagues on Saipan averaged 7.5 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game with Thomas Jefferson, which is under the South Puget Sound League, a high-school sports league in Washington’s West Central District.

He scored a season-high 25 points in their 63-60 victory against Decatur, but Mendoza selected his game versus Todd Beamer High as his best.

“I scored 13 straight points in the fourth against Todd Beamer High. It felt like I carried my team in both games,” said Mendoza, who led Thomas Jefferson’s 62-57 come-from-behind win against Todd Beamer High.

But more than his notable personal statistics, Mendoza appreciates the tough love he experienced at Thomas Jefferson to become a better player.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to be tough. You got to be tough to take critiques from teammates and coaches. You got to be tough to be accountable. You need to be willing to be uncomfortable to get better,” said the son of former CNMI Men’s National Team player Edsel Mendoza.

With his short stint with the Raiders now over, the younger Mendoza’s next move is to shop for colleges.

“I’m talking to a number of junior colleges in the Northwest. In fact, I have a visit to Wenatchee Valley College this weekend.”