MHS unscathed heading into playoffs

In a clash of the undefeated titans, the Marianas High School Dolphins came away unscathed after their last regular season game in the 2023-2024 IT&E Interscholastic Boys High School Basketball League.

They went seven-for-seven games heading into the playoffs after edging erstwhile undefeated Kagman High School Ayuyus, 41-30, last Friday at the MHS Gymnasium.

The game had an air of last season’s championship game between the two—the crowd roaring in support of their school’s team and the players hyped up with each explosive shot.

The Ayuyus were gunning for revenge from the get-go, but the Dolphins put a stop to that quickly. The Ayuyus had more attempts than shots and by the end of the first half, scored just 10 points to the Dolphins’ 26.

MHS’ Charlz Sanchez led the way with 6 points along with a 3-pointer in that first half, and was assisted by the rest of the starting five.

At the start of the second half, the Ayuyus were down by a margin of 16 points as the Dolphins continued to wreak havoc on the court. KHS’ aggressiveness in the paint was quickly subdued by a tight-knit MHS defense, but they still managed to squeeze in a few points.

KHS’ Frankie Satur tried to double team with Austin Diaz with the game clock winding down as they went back-to-back at the basket, but MHS’ sturdier gameplay only lengthened their lead. KHS, despite scoring more than MHS in the second half, still fell short by 11 points.

MHS’ Sean Licayan posted the most with 11, followed by Sanchez’s 8, and Kenny Laquian’s 7 markers. KHS’ Satur and Diaz put up 8 each, while Jon Diaz and Angelo Igitol had 4 apiece.

In the varsity standings as the regular season wrapped up, MHS leads with the aforementioned seven wins; KHS is second at 6-1; Saipan Southern High School has a 5-2 record; Mount Carmel School is 4-3; Dr. Rita H. Inos High School is at an even 2-2; Saipan International School is 2-5; Tinian High School has a 1-2 record; Agape Christian School is 1-6; and Grace Christian Academy lost all seven games.

The playoffs is set to start today, Thursday, March 7, and will continue tomorrow, with the championship round scheduled for this Saturday, March 9 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

MHS 41 – Licayan 11, Sanchez 8, Laquian 7, Suba 6, David 5, Tengco 3, Balignasay 1.

KHS 30 – Satur 8, A. Diaz 8, J. Diaz 4, Igitol 4, J. Camacho 2, R. Camacho 2, Altamirano 2.

Scoring by halves: 26-10, 41-30.