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SSHS survives scare, beats MHS
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Posted on Mar 16 2005
Defending champion Saipan Southern High School Manta Rays remained frontrunners of the boys division in the 2005 MISA High School Basketball League, courtesy of a furious charge in the dying minutes of their bout against the Marianas High School Dolphins Tuesday night at the MHS Gymnasium.
The Rays were up 15-21 after the first period, but the Dolphins fought back, slowing the tempo of the game and getting the Mantas out of their rhythm. Baskets by Wylie Paez and Josh Tumaquip keyed the Dolphins half-court attack that resulted in them holding a 37-32 lead at the break.
Both teams would match each other well in the third quarter, with the Mantas creeping closer behind an eight-point effort by Julian Ranas, and the Dolphins leaning on the inside play of Seth Hocking.
Down, 48-49 entering the fourth stanza, the Mantas continued to push, taking advantage of anything coming their way.
Adrian Echon ignited his team and their fans with nine points and in the process enabled the Rays to squeeze by and leave the Dolphins heartbroken with the slim 74-72 victory.
Rowell Aranda led the Mantas with 14 points, while Tyrone Palacios and Ranas finished with 13 and 12 points. Echon chipped in with his 11 points, all but two coming in the decisive fourth period.
Christian Dela Cruz led the Dolphins with 13 points, while Hocking and Jayvan Tarkong added 12 and 11 points. Paez added 10 points.
SSHS 74—Aranda 14, Palacios 13, Ranas 12, Echon 11, L. Babauta 8, B. Babauta 4, Eclevia 4, Lizama 4, Alvarez 2.
MHS 72—Dela Cruz 13, Hocking 12, Tarkong 11, Paez 10, Itibus 8, Jos. Tumaquip 7, Tebuteb 5, Aldan 3, Joe. Tumaquip 3.
Scoring by quarters: 21-15, 32-37, 48-49, 74-72.
Referees: Ricky Itaas and Jess Pacheco.
