SIS, DMS undefeated in MS boys caging

Saipan International School varsity player Nasson Wessel makes a jump shot in their game against Saipan Community School in the IT&E Interscholastic Boys Middle School Basketball League 2022-2023 last Monday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (LEIGH GASES)

Saipan International School earned a lopsided win against Saipan Community School, 33-12, while DanDan Middle School just managed to slip past Agape Christian School, 26-23 in the IT&E Interscholastic Boys Middle School Basketball League 2022-2023 last Monday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

With their wins, the Geckos and Tottots have an unblemished record of four wins each.

The sticky fingers of the Geckos overpowered the Guardians in the end as almost shot after shot were made in the second half for 24 points to the Guardians’ 5.

The Guardians had a hard time finding an opening as the ball was passed mostly to David Ye who downed all of their points. 

In contrast, the Geckos had a good passing game and allowed a point for each of their players. Nasson Wessel had 10 markers, Theo Joab had 9 of his own, Aiden Camacho had 8, while Daniel Joab had 4 and Audiscott Iakopo made 2.

David Park, Ma’ase De Oro, Jose Sablan, Richard Zhao, Patrick McDonald, and Elijah Pangelinan helped out Ye throughout the game but couldn’t get past the tight screens and speedy plays of the Geckos.

This gave the Geckos their fourth win, while the Guardians are at one win and two losses.

In the Tottots versus Torchbearers game, the former had a 5-point lead, 18-13, heading into the second half. In the first half, Matua Fejeran had a big triple to begin the game, followed by field goals by Dane Tibayan, Rodney Tomei, and Dyson Danis.

Meanwhile, 3 points were made by Reyviel Escarlan, followed by 4 markers for Daniel Yang. Two points came off a shot by Raffy Cai and was fouled right after for two free throws. 

In the second half with just two minutes left, the Torchbearers were trailing 17-24, but back-to-back points by Cai and Daniel Song closed the gap to 20-24. However, a big 2-point shot by Hornejas put them up by 6 points. 

Then, with less than 15 seconds remaining, Song shot a 3-pointer for a 23-26 game, but time quickly expired and the Tottots came out with the W barely unscathed.

The Tottots have four wins, while the Torchbearers were handed their first loss, 3-1.

In other results that day, Tanapag Middle school defeated Grace Christian Academy, 24-17, and Francisco M. Sablan Middle School defeated ChaCha OceanView Middle School, 36-25. 

SIS 33 – Wessel 10, Joab 9, Camacho 8, Joab 4, Iakopo 2.
SCS 12 – Ye 12.
Scoring by halves: 9-7; 24-5.

DMS 26 – Hornejas 6, Peters 4, Fejeran 3, #18 3, Tibayan, Tomei, and Danis 2.
ACS 23 – Song and Cai 8, Yang 4, Escarlan 3.
Scoring by halves: 18-13; 26-23.