Undefeated HMS leads IT&E hoops league

Hopwood Middle School Hilitais are at a league-leading 7-0 record after they heavily defeated Mount Carmel School Knights Junior Varsity, 60-8, in the IT&E Interscholastic Boys Middle School Basketball League 2023-2024 last Friday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The Hiitais are joined in the undefeated circle by Francisco M. Sablan Middle School and Agape Christian School who are at a record 6-0 each.

It was an unfair matchup as the Hilitais had more experience and play time over the Knights’ JV team, but the Knights still managed to score some points. Despite just two points made in the first half by Knights’ Donal Tagabuel, they continued to fight until the end.

By the end of the first half, the Hilitais had quickly put up 28 points by way of Joshua Lizama, Steven Tudela, Twayne Kapwich, Evan Cabrera, Jerica Manuel, Leon Galarse, and Jequinn Lizama.

The Knights didn’t give up but scored just four more points throughout the game, two by Tagabuel and two from Lyam Villagomez.

The Hilitais went on to score 32 more points and easily took their seventh win of the season.

In other results, Tanapag Middle School silenced Saipan Community School, 29-6; Agape Christian School blew over Saipan International School, 63-26; Mount Carmel School won a close 27-26 game over ChaCha Ocean View Middle School; and Dandan Middle School edged HMS JV, 27-8.

In the varsity standings behind HMS, FMS, and ACS, COVMS are at 5-2; DMS and MCS are 3-3; TMS have a 2-4 record; SIS is at 1-5; and SCS have yet to win with six losses.

Their regular season games today and Friday are postponed due to Typhoon Bolaven.