Agape the TakeCare Insurance Interscholastic Badminton League 2023-2024 MS Champs

After crushing their opponents, Agape Christian School was declared the Middle School Division champions during the TakeCare Insurance Interscholastic Badminton League 2023-2024 finals at the ADA Gymnasium in Susupe, last November 18.

Topping the semi-finals in the top one bracket with a 31-14 win-loss record, against opponent Saipan International School, who claimed the second bracket and a 41-4 win-loss record. Initially, SIS tied with Hopwood Middle School 2 (41-19), but SIS won the tiebreak due to head-to-head record, as the Geckos beat the Hilitai in pool play 10-5.

So as fate would have it, SIS went head-to-head Agape in the finals with Agape claiming the win for the Girls Singles, Boys Singles, and Boys Doubles. Agape’s Joanna Zhang defeated Aubrey White, 21-9, 21-6, Daniel Yang defeated SIS’ Jude Rayphand, 21-8 and 21-12, and Agape’s Daniel and Joseph Yang topping SIS’ Kanoa Owens and Jude Rayphand, 21-11 each game.

SIS showed their determination on the court as well, securing a win in the Women’s Doubles, when their Lina Tsukagoshi and Adelle Taflinger defeated Agape’s Joyce Ying and Kate Xu, 21-7, each game and Lina Tsukagoshi and Michael Guintu defeated Agape’s Joseph Yang and Joanna Zhang, 21-20, 22-20 in the Mixed Doubles.

At the end Agape took it home with a 9 win to SIS’ 6.

When speaking to ACS administrator Pastor Kok H. Pang, he thanked NMBA, Take Care Insurance and PSS for organizing and sponsoring the event, and for all the other schools who came to play “I think this was a short season and I’m glad our students are enjoying it. Well done to the organizers and the PSS Athletic program and NMBA for organizing this. I also want to say thank you so much to the parents for letting their kids be a part of playing Sports. And I want to thank God for

Giving us these talented students who want to get involved in sports, and their willingness to learn.”

He noted how the win was a welcome surprise “When we first started we had no idea, because we knew that SIS were the defending champions for the last two years and they were very strong in the women’s division. We were not sure whether we would qualify in the championship or not… “ he said adding that he was grateful. He shared that in the coming years as they play more that their team gets better and that he looks forward to the growth of the NMI Badminton Association and the sport overall. ” I see a lot of youngsters rising up, and they have a good program they can compete in games outside of our Island; and I think this is good for youngsters to be involved in sports. This will help them mentally and socially, and is great grounds to work with people. The world is not getting better but we need to encourage one another at the end.” He said

Meanwhile, in the finals Hopwood Middle School faced off with Saipan Community School for third place, and Hopwood took the win in the Girls Singles where Hopwood’s Danielle Joson faced SCS’ Vivian Chung, with Joson taking the first game 21-15, and Chung taking the second 16-21, the tie breaker secured the Girls Singles for Hopwood 21-20. In the Boys Doubles, SCS’ Jihun Park and Richard Zhao defeated Hopwood’s Peng Lin and John Quidato, taking the win 21-13, 21-17.

Hopwood took it home for the boy’s singles, girls doubles, and the mixed doubles as their Walter Clave defeated Jihun Park, 21-14, 16-21, 21-13 in the singles, Danielle Joson and Precious Galapon defeated SCS’ Jinny Lee and Dayeon Ko, 21-15, 21-13, and Clave and Galapon defeated SCS’ Soo Ho Jin and Ko in the mixed doubles 21-14, 21-15. Hopwood secured the last podium with their 10 over SCS’ 5.