Lady Eagles secure first win

Grace Christian Academy’s Soleil Lamar, second left, drives against two Seventh Day Adventist defenders during their game in the CCOPSA middle school caging yesterday at the GCA court in Navy Hill. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Grace Christian Academy notched its first win after outclassing Seventh Day Adventist, 19-11, in the girls division of the Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Middle School Basketball League yesterday at the GCA court in Navy Hill.

The Lady Eagles netted 9 points and held the Lady Guardians to one free throw in the first half to make it to the win column in three tries. SDA shared GCA’s 1-2 record.

After missing GCA’s first two games, Katriel Saures debuted in the league and scored all but one of the Lady Eagles points in the first half. She charged ahead of the pack and made a fastbreak layup to draw first blood and then hit two shots in the post. GCA center Azriel Fatialofa swatted several Lady Guardians’ attempts and rounded out her team’s output with a free throw for a 7-0 advantage.

The Lady Eagles continued to play tough defense in the second canto, as SDA would have been held scoreless again had it not been for Marielle Lopez’s split charity. Saures then countered with another shot from the post, giving GCA 9-1 advantage heading into the break.

When action resumed, Soleil Lamar drilled a midrange jumper and a putback, while Fatialofa and Mint Karsouythong also scored to keep GCA on top.

As for the Lady Guardians, they finally made field goals, thanks to Lopez, who converted three stepback jumpers and a fastbreak layup that moved SDA within a point from reaching the double-digit mark.

With the Lady Eagles still ahead heading into the fourth period, 17-8, GCA coaches called on their reserves to finish the game. Both teams ended up struggling on offense in the final canto with Lamar scoring on a fastbreak play for GCA’s lone basket and Lopez doing the same with her banked in layup.

Meanwhile, GCA swept the double-leader, as its boys team routed SDA, 46-16.

Lance Lerio led all scorers with his 12 points, while Juruel Magtalas, Justin Du, and Ryan Daproza chipped in with 6 markers apiece in the Eagles’ easy win.

With the victory, GCA evened out its record to 2-2, while SDA is still searching for a win after losing its first four.

In other results, Saipan International School eked out a 27-26 overtime win against Saipan Community School.

Geckos captain Dylan Mister nailed the game-winning shot in the extra period and finished the match with 8 points. Daniel Nam also netted 8 markers, while Anthony Gregoire addred 7 points.

Charlie McDonald top-scored for the Tsunamis with his 16 points, as the starting forward shouldered much of SCS’ offense. Miles Borja and Isaiah Aleksenko contributed 6 and 4 markers, respectively, for the Tsunamis, which clung to a 17-16 halftime lead and eventually lost the match in extra period.

The Geckos notched their third win in four games, while SCS tumbled to a 0-3 record.

Over at the Koblerville Gymnasium, Mt. Carmel School crushed Northern Marianas International School, 45-8.

With the win, the Knights are tangled up with Agape Christian School on top of the team standings, as they hold similar perfect 3-0 records. The Phoenix suffered their second straight loss after an impressive win in their season debut.

Mt. Carmel and Agape will collide tomorrow with their clean marks at stake, while their girls teams will also be duking it out at Torchbearers’ court in Gualo Rai. In other games, SIS will host GCA, while NMIS will lace up against SCS in the latter’s court.

GCA 19 —Saures 8, Lamar 6, Fatialofa 3, Karsouythong 2
SDA 11 —Lopez 11.
Scoring by quarters: 7-0, 9-1, 17-9, 19-11.