Mt. Carmel School fends off SCS

Mount Carmel School outlasted Saipan Community School in a back-and-forth affair, 28-20, in the Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Middle School Basketball League last Monday at the SCS’ court.

After several lead changes in the first three quarters, the Knights managed to control the game in the fourth, thanks to their double-digit output. Mt. Carmel scored 10 points in the final canto and held SCS to 3 points and no field goal.

Gabby San Nicolas started things off for the Knights in the fourth quarter with his two consecutive fastbreak layups before Leo Naraja drilled two pull-up baskets to turn a shaky 18-17 lead to a 26-20 cushion. The Tsunamis’ offense crumpled under Mount Carmel’s defensive pressure, as they only mustered three free throws from Charlie McDonald. San Nicolas then iced the game after he picked Isaiah Aleksenko’s pocket and glided to the rim for an easy layup.

San Nicolas top-scored for MCS with his 15 points, while McDonald shouldered much of SCS’ offense, as he finished with 14 markers.

With the win, MCS improved to a 4-1 card, while the Tsunamis absorbed their fourth loss in six games.

Meanwhile, Agape Christian School continued its streak in the boys division ater manhandling Seventh Day Adventist, 82-32.

The Torchbearers wasted no time, as they ran away with the game after a 16-4 run in the opening canto. ACS then shifted into overdrive, as it exploded for 29 points in the second period to bury the Guardians at the break, 45-11.

David Zheng and Hilton Jin finished with 19 and 16 points, respectively, to hand Agape a 5-0 lead, while Caleb Dai chipped in 12. While Agape rolled to its fifth straight victory, SDA has yet to secure a win after five games.

Over at the Navy Hill court, Grace Christian Academy dominated Northern Marianas International School, 35-14.

Ryan Daproza registered 12 points for the Eagles, while Lance Lerio and Justin Du added 6 apiece to help shoot down the Phoenix. Justin Mateo had 10 points for NMIS.

GCA earned its second straight victory and now holds a 3-2 card, while NMIS tumbled to a 1-4 record.

Meanwhile, Agape improved to a 3-0 slate after topping SDA, 38-22, in the girls division game.

Jenny Lin led the Lady Torchbearers with her 17 markers, while Elvira Zhang contributed 7, and Mei Ou and Lynn Zhao made 6 points apiece. Marielle Lopez dazzled for the Lady Guardians with her 20 points, while SDA’s only other bucket came from Kimberly Bahn.

With the loss, the Lady Guardians dropped to a 1-3 record.

BOYS DIVISION
First Game
MCS 28—San Nicolas 15, Galang 5, Borja 4, Naraja 4.
SCS 20—McDonald 14, Borja 4 Aleksenko 2.
Scoring by quarters: 9-5, 10-11, 18-17, 28-20

Second Game
ACS 82—Zheng 19, Jin 16, Dai 12, Tang 9, Liang 8, Bao 6, Qiu 6, Chen 2, Dang 2, He 2.
SDA 32—Jin 10, Son 7, K. Rechucher 7, Han 6, H. Rechucher 2.
Scoring by quarters: 16-4, 45-11, 68-13, 82-32

Third Game
GCA 35—Daproza 12, Du 6, Lerio 6, Yumul 4, Woo 3, Adriatico 2, Alepuyo 2.
NMIS 14—Mateo 10, Valdoz 2, Balgos 2.
Scoring by quarters: 12-4, 21-8, 29-12, 35-14

GIRLS DIVISION
ACS 38—Lin 17, Zhang 7, Ou 6, Zhao 6, Wang 2.
SDA 22—Lopez 20, Bahn 2.
Scoring by quarters: 12-4, 25-11, 29-13, 38-22