MHS Lady Dolphins dominate All-Star selection

Last of two parts

Werlly Quitugua continued to make her presence felt and earned respect because of her leadership on the basketball court.

The Marianas High School student led her team to claiming its second crown in three years and three straight title game appearances in the girls division of the Marianas Interscholastic Sports Association High School Basketball League, earning recognition from coaches around the league who unanimously voted her into the All-Star Team, her third in as many years.

Quitugua was the driving force of the Lady Dolphins’ impressive run. After finishing the regular season in the No. 3 spot, Quitugua and company turned things around and defeated second-seeded Kagman High School in the semifinals, 66-49, Saturday morning. As she did throughout the entire regular season, Quitugua carried the offensive load, scoring a game-high 26 points.

In the finale against No. 1 Saipan Southern High School Monday, Quitugua took control from the start and went off for 21 points for a 51-39 victory.

The point guard boosted coach John Raulerson’s squad, handling the ball, distributing to teammates, and taking over the scoring chores whenever needed.

In their March 9 regular season game against KHS, Quitugua’s squad was trailing by double figures before the guard went in a zone of her own and tormented the opposition with a 14-point second half effort to lead the Lady Dolphins to a comeback win. Prior to her eruption, she had only netted two points in the first two periods.

Six other players were also voted into the elite group including Emy Oiterong and Shaunna Yang of the Lady Dolphins.

Oiterong was consistent every game, providing Raulerson with a solid supporting player. The CNMI Women’s National Team member used her quickness and played tenacious defense, battled hard for loose balls.

She scored 11 points in the semifinals and 10 in the title game.

For her part, Yang took charge under the rim for the Lady Dolphins, providing her team with much needed ceiling in the paint for both scoring and rebounds, as well as preventing the opposition from getting clear looks at the rim while attacking inside.

Also making it to the All-Star team were point guard Nicole Rios and shooter Henny Elayda of the SSHS Manta Rays.

Rios’ dribbling skills as well as ability to drive by defenders and score in the paint gave opposing teams a lot of fits, while Elayda provided the Mantas with outside shooting, especially from the three-point arc. Rios and Elayda led their squad with 17 and 12 points in the title game.

Mallory Conner of KHS Ayuyus also worked her way into the select cast, playing with consistency throughout the entire season for coach Francis San Nicolas. Conner’s ballhandling, sweet touch from the perimeter, and determination to fight until the end earned her respect from other players in the league.

Rounding up the cast is Grace Christian Academy’s Stephanie Arnold, an all-around cagebelle who provided the Eagles with solid minutes day in and day out, whether it was scoring, dishing the ball, or playing smart defense.

Each player was recognized by MISA shortly after the boys and girls championship bouts Monday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.