SSHS debut strong in girls hoops

Saipan Southern High School Lady Manta Rays debuted strong in the opening game of the 2023-2024 IT&E Interscholastic Girls High School Basketball League last Wednesday night at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The Lady Mantas bested the Kagman High School Lady Ayuyus, 33-11 from interceptions and more aggressive and accurate drives in the paint.

KHS could only score 4 points in the first half due to a lack of handle on the ball that converted to SSHS steals and field goals, while SSHS put up 11 points.

The second half saw the Lady Ayuyus fighting for their life as Priscilla Tomokane took it upon herself to make the majority of their team’s points. However, the Lady Mantas were just more of a powerhouse than KHS as Yasmeen Younis led the team from the perimeter and once from the 3-point line.

SSHS’ passing game and ball handling was also more on point as Casey Cruz, Angel Calge, Rosie Saralu, Lency Sagarino, and Deseha Mendiola all got a piece of the pie.

In the end, Younis scored 13, Cruz put up 9, and Calage contributed 3. For KHS, Tomokane had 8 markers, Jayden Pangelinan scored 2, and Charisse Camacho had a point.

In the other game that night, Mount Carmel School slipped past Saipan International School, 39-36. SIS’ Kaithlyn Chavez made all of their team’s baskets, while MCS’ Mia Abuan, Jieun Kwon, Chealska Navarro, Gwen Gamab, Patricia Matsumoto, and Mya Pangelinan distributed their points amongst each other.

The regular season spans until Wednesday, Dec. 6, with the championship tourney scheduled from Dec. 14 to 16.