Southern, MHS use balanced scoring to beat foes

Saipan Southern High School’s Ryan Esmundo, 10, battles two Kagman High School players in their game last Jan. 21. Esmundo and the Manta Rays improved to 5-1 after a 71-43 thrashing of Saipan International School last Friday. (Jon Perez)

Saipan Southern High School varsity and Marianas High School junior varsity used a balanced scoring attack to beat their respective foes in the continuation of the Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization Boys Basketball League last Friday at the MHS Gymnasium.

SSHS went 1-2 after its JV and SSHS 9 dropped their respective matches.

Southern walloped Saipan International School, 71-43, in the final game while MHS JV cruised to a 62-35 drubbing of SSHS 9. Kagman High School JV’s 47-38 victory over SSHS JV was played in between those matches.

It was SSHS varsity’s fourth straight win since absorbing an 87-56 thrashing from defending champion MHS last Jan. 14 to improve to 5-1.

SIS dropped its sixth straight game since opening with a 48-23 win over Marianas Baptist Academy on Jan. 9.

The Manta Rays had a slow start against SIS but poured on the points in the second quarter to break the game wide open and was never threatened after that.

Tyler Palacios scattered 11 points to lead two other Manta Rays who finished in double figures. Edilberto Javier Jr. and Jerwin Raquero tallied 10 markers apiece.

Jethro Cruz added 9 with Chico Bondoc and Ryan Esmundo scoring 7 each also for Southern.

Allen Cepeda paced the Geckos’ losing cause with 15, while Kim Hwan Ho contributed 14.

In the first game, Warren Ellama finished with 13 points to power MHS JV to a 62-35 decision against SSHS 9.

Earl Ermitanio added 9 points, while Kenji Abobo and Michael Cenir combined for 16 also for MHS JV, which bounced back from a 47-36 loss to SSHS JV last week.

June Alipio was the lone SSHS 9 player to finish in twin digits with 10, while Franko Bondoc and Matt Kaplieo each had 7 points.

Andrew Palino scored 20 to almost single-handedly lift Kagman JV to a 47-38 triumph over SSHS JV. Jeffrey Castro and Michael Muna combined for 16 points to provide scoring support.

No SSHS JV player hit double digits with Joseph Taitano tallying 9 points, while Art Borromeo and Issac Anderson scored 8 and 7 markers apiece.

First Game
MHS JV 62 – Ellama 13, Ermitanio 9, Abobo 8, Cenir 8, Floresca 6, Bucayo 5, Castillo 4, Cristobal 4, Miller 4, Deocares 1.
SSHS 9 35 – Alipio 10, Bondoc 7, Kapileo 7, Siech 4, Manansala 3, Cobacha 2, Malasarte 2.
Scoring by quarters: 19-6, 28-18, 42-25, 62-35.

Second Game
KHS JV 47 – Palino 20, Castro 8, Muna 8, Jones 5, Aguon 2, Maniego 2, Tenorio 2.
SSHS JV 38 – Tatiano 9, Borromero 8, Anderson 7, Alipio 4, Calindrades 3, Cobacha 3, Kapileo 2, Muna 2.
Scoring by quarters: 8-5, 10-20, 30-25, 47-38.

Third Game
SSHS 71 – Palacios 11, Javier Jr. 10, Raquero 10, Cruz 9, Bondoc 7, Esmundo 7, Kintaro 5, Taitano 5, Feria 4, Deleon Guerrero 3.
SIS 43 – A. Cepeda 15, H.H. Kim 14, Ramsey 7, Johnson 4, Smith 2, Joyner 1.
Scoring by quarters: 20-20, 39-22, 64-35, 71-43.