Southern sweeps Kagman in MISO caging

  The Saipan Southern High School Manta Rays outclassed the Kagman High School Ayuyus, 76-56, with a big third-quarter push during their varsity game in the 2012 Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization Basketball League at the Marianas High School Gymnasium last Friday.

The Rays were also triumphant in the junior varsity division, beating the Ayuyus in the first game, 41-27.

In the varsity duel, Frank Mettao got things going early for Kagman with his 10 points and the Ayuyus went on to hold a slight edge after the first canto, 18-16.

Then the Manta Rays strengthened their defense in the second quarter and on offense attacked from afar, making a pair of three-pointers to turn the tables at intermission, 32-29.

In the third quarter, Southern while still playing tough defense also showed its offensive prowess, unloading a 23-point spurt. Jack Aranda and Jimmy Tudela scored seven points apiece in the uprising, putting the Rays in control, 55-43, heading into the fourth and last frame.

The third quarter took a lot out of the Ayuyus and they never postured a comeback in the payoff canto.

With its lead ballooning in the fourth, Southern cleared the bench and got contributions from seven players.

Aranda led two other Rays in double-figures with his 19, while Mettao scrambled for 20 on the short end.

In the junior varsity game, SSHS built an early 13-8 lead in the opening 10 minutes behind the nine points of Daniel Camacho.

Then Brandon Regis took the wheel in the second quarter with his six points, as the Rays stretched the lead to 18 at halftime, 27-19.

Kagman beefed up on defense, but only managed to trade baskets with Southern in the third quarter. The Rays and Ayuyus grinded out just eight markers apiece in the period, shifting the count to 35-27, heading into the last quarter.

Southern’s defense then stepped up in the fourth period, shutting down the hapless Kagman crew. The Ayuyus drew 13 points from Jesse Santos in the first three quarters of the game, however neither him nor anyone else from the Ayuyu side managed a field goal in the final 10 minutes of play. The Ayuyus found access to the hoop on only three occasions.

Camacho paced Southern’s win with his 18 points.

The season continues today at 4pm with the Rays getting another crack at the Marianas High School Dolphins, who issued the former their only loss so far in the competition.

JV Game

SSHS 41 – Camacho 18, Feria 9, Javier 7, Ferrer 3, Palacios 2, Regis 2.

KHS 27 – Je. Santos 13, Jo. Santos 6, Mafnas 6, Recaido 2

Scoring by quarters: 13-8, 27-19, 35-27, 41-27.

Varsity Game

SSHS 76 – Aranda 19, Tudela 15, Mizer 12, De Guzman 8, Salem 7, Alegre 6, Mariano 6, Sablan 3.

KHS 56 – Mettao 20, Lampkins 13, Jones 8, Taitano 4, Butters 3, Foster 2, Reyes 2, Sabulao 2, Santiago 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-18, 32-29, 55-43, 76-56.