Ayuyus on fire in boys HS caging

Kagman High School’s Frankie Satur goes for a layup as Saipan International School’s Yunwoo Nam attempts to block it during the 2022-2023 IT&E Interscholastic Boys High School Basketball League last Wednesday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.(LEIGH GASES )

The Kagman High School Ayuyus boys basketball varsity team was on fire after blazing through four consecutive games and are currently undefeated, 4-0, in the 2022-2023 IT&E Interscholastic Boys High School Basketball League.

On the Ayuyus’ most recent conquest, the Saipan Southern High School Ayuyus fell to their knees, 69-75, in a wildfire game last Friday in the air-conditioned but electric atmosphere of the Marianas High School Gymnasium. 

Coached by Adrian Flores, the Ayuyus had a fiery lineup running on a hot-streak of momentum they carried from a win against Saipan International School two days prior. 

From the jump, Frankie Satur scored a field goal—immediately followed by a 3-pointer by Anthony Dikito. 

The Manta Rays did not let up easily though as a 3-pointer also made it in from the jumper of Rasg Asuo—who ended up shooting four more 3 -pointers and scored a total of 24 points.

Kagman High School’s Alejandro Ortiz scored 13 points in their 2022-2023 IT&E Interscholastic Boys High School Basketball League game against Saipan International School last Wednesday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (EIGH GASES)

It was a give and take the whole game as both the Ayuyus and the Manta Rays made basket after basket, ending the whirlwind first half, 39-29—which 12 of 39 came from Satur’s plays.

In the second half, the Ayuyus’ Lucio Aldan stoked the fire lit by his teammates early on as he took it upon himself to secure their fourth W, as majority of the buckets he attempted sank in with precision—earning him a staggering 32 points—two of which were 3-pointers and 7 were free throws.

Throughout the game, the Ayuyus and Manta Rays were neck-and-neck, with the Mantas not giving up their run for the lead as Elijah Garcia added 22 points, John Kae Raquepo 10 points, and Christian Lucero 9.

However, the Ayuyus overpowered them on the defense as well and had extra assists from Nobet Hocog and Austin Diaz’s 10 points each and Anthony Dikito’s 9 points, ending the game 75-69.

In the other varsity bout that night, MHS defeated Mount Carmel School, 47-30. In the junior varsity games, KHS JV beat SSHS JV, 37-26 and MHS JV-2 won against MCS JV, 32-15.

In the varsity standings, KHS lead with 4-0; MHS is second with 3-0; MCS and SSHS are at 2-1; Agape Christian School is 1-3; SIS is 0-2; and Grace Christian Academy is still 0-4. 

In the junior varsity standings, MHS JV is still undefeated at 4-0, KHS and MHS JV-2 are both  tied at 2-2; and MCS JV have yet to win with five losses.

The next game day is set for this Thursday, with MHS vs SIS, SSHS up against MCS, MHS JV taking on MHS JV-2, and MCS JV battling KHS JV.

KHS 75 – Aldan 32, Satur 12, Hocog 10, Diaz 10, Dikito 9, Ortiz 2.
SSHS 69 – Asuo 24, Garcia 22, Raquepo 10, Lucero 9, Navarro and Konman 2.
Scoring by halves: 39-29; 75-69.