Teamwork key to Knights’ success

Mt. Carmel School Knights coach Abner Venus summed up their team’s recent title win in the Coalition of Privates Schools Sports Association into one word. Teamwork.

The Knights completed their undefeated season with a 64-54 win over the Grace Christian Academy Eagles in the finals of the high school boys’ division on Friday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. The Knights won 11 games this season including the finals.

Venus, who is also a board member of the Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, said despite only playing with eight players his wards pulled it through.

“We were undermanned since four of my players are in Delaware for the Mock Trial championships,” said Venus.

Three of the four were his starters while the fourth one is his sixth man. They are attending the 25th National High School Mock Trial Championship in Wilmington, Delaware from May 7 to 11.

“I’ve told myself, I have to live with the players that I had. I am glad that my boys delivered and everybody stepped up whether it is in offense or in defense,” said Venus.

He added that they even held a final team practice last Wednesday at 7pm to familiarize his players at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Venus said guard Joseph White and center Kristian Aquino were exceptional in the finals as they gave it their all. “Kris and Joseph know it is their final year to play for Mt. Carmel so they want to go out as winners and with the title.”

He added White bounced back in the playoffs and finals after missing two games in the regular season due to an injury.

“Kris and Joseph will always be there to deliver for us but the hustle defense by Jay Ha, Kang Sin Yeop, and Kim Men Seong became a big help to us,” said Venus.

He said Ha, Kang, and Kim’s experience playing in the MISO basketball league helped his usual off-the-bench players. “I am thankful for everyone’s help. Every player I put in delivered for us that resulted in our victory. These boys played with a lot of heart.”

Venus also changed his game plan midway in the game especially when the Eagles led by four. “I called a time out and told my boys to avoid being overconfident and not to let GCA pull away.”

“I changed our play with the main objective of preventing their guards to penetrate and take away their game. So I told my boys to deny Renato Batallones and Kevin De Leon the ball or don’t let them go to the baseline.”

Venus’ wards executed his plays to the letter as they held GCA’s usually explosive duo to a combined 25 points with most of their points coming in the final period where Mt. Carmel enjoyed leads as much as 16.

Venus also thanked the MCS community for their support every game.