Kingfishers 1 flutter past Geckos 2, 15-14

William S. Reyes Elementary School Kingfishers 1 fluttered past Saipan International Geckos 2, 15-14, in the 2024-2025 IT&E Interscholastic Co-ed Elementary School Basketball League last Saturday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

It was a neck-and-neck matchup from the jump ball as their short legs and arms took them as far as they could through the shortened court. It was a give and take with the lead with both teams taking turns at the basket, and soon, the Kingfishers sported just a 1-point lead.

SIS’ Victoria Kim was a natural shooter and provided all 8 points for SIS, while Naliya Daikichy sank a 2-pointer that put them up by one, 9-8 at the end of the first half, despite SIS leading, 8-7.

The second half saw more intense action as they scrambled for possession and as they came up empty in some scoring opportunities.

After a lot of back-and-forth, and great defense on both ends, only 6 points each would be scored by both teams. But the Kingfishers had a 1-point advantage throughout and held on to win, 15-14, with another clutch shot by Daikichy.

Daikichy contributed 4 points, while Frances Peter had one more point for 5 total markers. Meanwhile, Kim’s losing effort led her to the bulk of her team’s score at 12 points, while Guy Pudney contributed 2 towards= the end.

In other results that day, Koblerville Elementary School Umangs 2 defeated Mount Carmel School Knights, 29-5; Kagman Elementary School Blue Marlins trounced Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School Binadus, 37-3; Garapan Elementary School Mallards 2 shut down WSR 2, 24-8; Brilliant Star School beat San Vicente Elementary School Canaries 2, 11-4; KobES 1 blew out Grace Christian Academy Eagles, 65-4; GES 1 defeated MCS, 13-10; and SVES 1 slipped past WSR 2, 8-5.

WSR 2 15 – Peter 5, Rudolph 2, Castro 2, Camacho 2, N. Daikichy 2, J. Daikichy 2.

SIS 2 14 – Kim 12, Pudney 2.

Scoring by halves: 9-8, 15-14.