MHS holds off SSHS in boys varsity

The Marianas High School Dolphins outlasted the Saipan Southern High School Manta Rays, 56-52, in Monday’s Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization boys basketball varsity matchup held at a jam packed MHS Gymnasium.

It was a very even matchup, but the Dolphins maintained a slim lead for the entire match and held it together at crunch time to stretch its unbeaten streak to three, while SSHS absorned its first loss after a pair of victories at the start of the season.

MHS and Kagman High School (2-0) are the only remaining undefeated squads in the five-team field.

In addition, MHS’ junior Dolphins also came out on top in its season debut over SSHS (1-1), 44-31, in the junior varsity that preceded the main bout.

In the varsity match, both defenses showed up to play, but a pair of 3-pointers by MHS’ John Darag helped give the Dolphins an early 8-5 edge in the opening 10 minutes.

MHS then pressed and built a 26-18 lead at halftime with a late surge as the second quarter winded down.

Darag remained at the helm and added eight more points in the period.

The Manta Rays regrouped after the break and pulled within one possession, 39-42, heading into the fourth quarter.

Darag buried a pair of three-balls early in the third period and a pair of late free throws to keep the Dolphins in control. However, SSHS’ Jimmy Tudela and Jaymark DeGuzman teamed up for 11 markers during the Manta Rays’ rally.

It remained back and forth all the way to the end with MHS maintaining its modest advantage.

Seeing the writing on the wall, a skirmish broke out between a frustrated Nevin Salem of SSHS and Darag in the final five seconds of regulation, which resulted in Darag being called to the stripe for four free throws to ice the win.

The players were actually tangled up a few minutes prior to the tussle as they both dove for a loose ball.

On that play, Darag seemed to purposely lie on top of Salem, preventing the latter from getting up. Darag was called for a foul.

When they became tangled up the second time, Salem took a swipe at Darag’s face with an open hand and pushed him, which resulted in the technical foul.

Darag led all scorers with 26 points, five of which came from behind the arc, while SSHS’ Tudela scrambled for 14 on the short end. Salem had two points before fouling out.

In the junior varsity pairing, MHS built an early 9-7 lead in the opening period off a pair of buckets by team captain Jacob Palacios and a three-ball by teammate Justin Cayading.

Then MHS pulled ahead, 22-15, at the half. The Dolphins held SSHS to single digits in both opening frames, and nailed two more 3-pointers on the other end during its second quarter push.

SSHS made some nice defensive adjustments after the break, but its offense continued to struggle.

A late long ball by MHS’ John Capuyon kept the margin intact as the count shifted to 29-22 heading into the final canto.

MHS pulled away in the final period as Shane Deleon Guerrero came off the bench and scored seven straight points to secure the win.

Palacios carried the torch for MHS with 10 points, while SSHS’ Emerson Feria led the field with 11.

The season continues today at 4pm at the MHS Gym as the Saipan International School Geckos debut against the Grace Christian Academy Eagles (1-0) in a junior varsity pairing followed by the varsity matchup between SSHS and the Mount Carmel School Knights (0-3).

MHS 56[/B] – Darag 26, Caro 10, Dela Rosa 6, Lacsina 6, Francisco 4, Gu 2, Suarez 2.

MHS 44[/B] – Palacios 10, Lixing 8, DL Guerrero 7, Manalili 5, W Camacho 4, Cayading 4, Capuyon 3, Kwon 2, Yap 2.
[B] SSHS[/B] – Feria 11, Javier 7, D Camacho 4, Acopiado 3, Ferrer 3, Kintaro 1.