Three-peat for SIS cage belles

The cage belles of Saipan International School kept their impressive streak alive after earning their third straight championship crown in the 2006 Private School Basketball League yesterday at the SIS campus in As Lito.

Not even the wet weather was able to stop SIS as multi-sport athlete Lena Guzman spearheaded another strong charge by the Geckos in a 48-16 victory over the Mt. Carmel School Knights.

With the win, the Geckos preserved a winning streak that began three years ago, as the team has yet to lose in the past three seasons.

SIS showcased its dominance from the get-go and opened with a 6-0 run before Nicole Lebria put the Knights on the scoreboard with a bucket.

Lebria was able to hit from long range and added another field goal, but the highlights belonged to the Geckos, who dominated with their quick passes to take a 24-7 lead after the first period of play.

One big reason the SIS cage belles were able to distance themselves was the play of Guzman, who stepped up and swooshed the net for 14 points.

SIS cooled off a bit but was still the aggressor as Guzman and Zoe Jewell combined for all of the Geckos’ 10 points to stretch the lead to 23 points, 34-11.

Both teams then had to look for shelter as Mother Nature greeted the game with heavy rain.

Fortunately, the players were able to get back onto the court. The wet weather, however, resulted in less points added to the scoreboard. After three complete periods, SIS still held a big lead, 42-12.

Both teams had troubles putting the ball through the hoop in the fourth, with SIS managing six points and MCS pumping in four for the final score.

Guzman led the Geckos with a game-high 26 points, while Lebria paced the Knights with nine points.

“It was a great season,” the 13-year-old Guzman said shortly after the game. “I had a lot of fun working with my teammates and we improved a lot since the start of the season because of practice.”

For her part, 12-year-old rookie Ruby Lee explained that she has enjoyed her first experience in the league.

“This is my first time and it was really great. I’m really happy because I made two shots,” she said.

For his part, coach Rick Linkenhelt said his players gelled well and their unselfish play led to their success.

“They have really good teamwork, they play well together, and they’re unselfish,” he said. “They play hard and they love to play.”

As of press time, the SIS boys were taking on Calvary Christian Academy in the boys’ consolation bout.

The boys championship and girls consolation games will be held today at CCA beginning at 3:30pm.

SIS 48 – Guzman 26, Jewell 8, Tessen 4, Halaby 4, Sakamoto 4, Nishigori 2.
MCS 16 – Lebria 9, Hirai 2, Babauta 2, Sablan 2, Ayuyu 1.
Scoring by quarters: 24-7, 34-11, 42-12, 48-16.