Basketball players put on a show

The future kings and queens of basketball court were at center stage last week showcasing their promising talents during the 2008 Annual Christmas Basketball Jam at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymasium.

In the end, three teams stood the tallest among more than 20 squads claiming the championship in the boys and girls’ 18-and-under and the boys’ 14-and-under divisions.

The Lil’Sonics of coach Jessie Tudela defeated the San Antonio Sixers I in the finals, 83-79, to take the boys’ 14-and-under division crown.

The G-Stars prevailed in the boys’ 18-and-under finals topping Rollers A, 86-77, while the Lady Knights ruled the girls’ division outclassing the Lady Ayuyus, 61-56.

The Lil’ Sonics’ Max Camacho was named MVP, while Jericho Cruz and Roxanne Duenas claimed the same awards in the 18-and-under division.

The tournament also recognized the Top 5 players in each division and the Top 10 scorers.

The top individual and team performers in the Saipan Billiards Association’s Budweiser Open 8-Ball League winter-spring ‘08 and in the Bud Cup were also cited in a banquet at Pacific Islands Club’s Charley’s Cabaret.

The PTI Voyagers, who won the Agingan division of the Open 8-Ball, received their championship trophy at the banquet, and were joined by second and third placers Krystal Docomo Hustlers and Round 2’s Islanders Rent A Car, respectively. The Hustlers won the Bud Cup.

In the Obyan division, Primo’s Home Boys went home with the championship trophy beating Krystal Perfect Spotters (second) and USSP Fotten Palau (third). The Home Boys also prevailed in the Bud Cup.

After a notable 2008, four CNMI’s swimmers and a junior tennis player are out to start 2009 with a bang by competing in off-island tournaments.

Tsunami Saipan swimmers Rezne Wong, Kai Staal, Shin Kimura, and Cooper Graf left Saipan Thursday to represent the CNMI in the 2009 Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Guam.

The four Tsunami Sapan swimmers will be competing in nine events in the JPP meet.

CNMI top junior netter Ji Hoon Heo left the island a few days earlier than the Tsunami Saipan swimmers to participate in tournaments in Australia and New Zealand.

Down Under, Heo swept his first two assignments to advance to the Round of 32 in the 2009 Post Margaret Court Cup at the Albury Grasscourts in Albury, New South Wales.

Heo had one more tournament in Australia before going to New Zealand to compete in Cantebury, Auckland, and Wellington.

Back in local events, the 2008 Inter Government/Business Softball League resumed action after the holiday break.

The league now plays five times a week to cover make-up games. The first week of action in the annual league saw 10 teams earning wins at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield and the Capital Hill Ballfied.

The list include Commonwealth Utilities, Corp. (women’s) and the men’s divisions’ Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Mayor’s Office, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Docomo, CRM/DEQ, Pacific Oriental, Inc., Freedom Air, Joeten Motors Jets, and Legislature.

Over at the Marianas High School Gymnasium, the Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization opened the 2008-2009 season of the varsity division of the MISO Basketball League.

Defending women’s champion Kagman High School’s Lady Ayuyus won the season-opener, downing Mt. Carmel School, 52-42.