Undefeated SSHS, MHS atop girls hoops

Defending champions Saipan Southern High School Lady Manta Rays and Marianas High School Lady Dolphins are atop the standings of the 2024-2025 IT&E Interscholastic Girls High School Basketball League with their undefeated record of three wins each.

Last Friday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, SSHS disassembled the Mount Carmel School Lady Knights, 40-26.

MCS had an erstwhile undefeated record of three wins prior to this loss, but found their match against the defending champions.

The Lady Rays asserted their dominance early on with great and open takes at the basket by Jahsmin Ramon and Azzy Fatialofa. MCS tried to hang from sharp shooter Aubrey Quitugua and Mia Abuan’s effort, but fell short for a 14-4 first half.

The second quarter saw MCS go at it with renewed vigor. They drew first blood from a shot by Jieun Kwon, followed by another 3-pointer from Quitugua. With 12 minutes left, MCS still had a chance to close the gap even more, but SSHS moved with more purpose and aggressiveness after a timeout.

The Fatialofa sisters were a force to be reckoned with as the younger Aiyana helped with defense and rebounds. She added a few points herself and helped add to their total along with her older sister and Ramon.

With nine minutes left, MCS got within 10 points, 33-23, but SSHS’ precision inside the court made them run away with the lead, 37-24. MCS would go on to score just 2 more points, while Teneasha Diaz ended it with a shot beyond the arc for a 40-26 final.

Ramon led the game with 15 points, followed by Azzy’s 8, and Aiyana’s 6 markers.

In the game before hand, MHS took on their sister team, MHS JV, and won, 29-6.

The varsity team was no match to their junior varsity sisters as they held them to just 4 points in the first half, while they led by 10 points.

Reannamae Manglona and Stacy Arriola then solidified their eventual win in the second half by scoring 6 points and 5 points, respectively. Meanwhile, the JV squad scored just 2 more points from Richelle Sune.

Manglona led with 7 points, while Arriola scored 6.

SSHS 40 – Ramon 15, Saralu 8, Azzy Fatialofa 8, Aiyana Fatialofa 6, Diaz 3.

MCS 26 – Quitugua 12, Abuan 6, Kwon 5, Pangelinan 3.

Scoring by halves: 16-8, 40-26.

MHS 29 – Manglona 7, Arriola 6, Estella 4, George 3, Dela Rosa 3, Relucio 2, Surima 2, Padiernos 2.

MHS JV 6 – Sune 4, Torres 2.

Scoring by halves: 14-4, 29-6.