By Kyle Terwilliger
Variety News Staff

THE tables were set for the two undefeated teams in the tournament to square off for the championship, as the Untalan Middle School Wildcats would take on the Andersen Dragons for the title in the 2007 Beacon Invitational. After a four quarter battle the Wildcats would come out on top 49 – 40 to claim the title of the 2007 Beacon Invitational Champions.
The tournament allows both public and private schools to compete against each other, something that doesn’t occur during the regular season. The game would begin with the Dragons opening up on a 7-0 run but the Wildcats would claw back with a 7-2 run and at the end of the first quarter the Dragons lead 9-7.
The Dragons were plagued by foul trouble in the first quarter having to sit Joseph Jenkins with three fouls. The Wildcats would take advantage of having Jenkins out and would pressure the Dragons with a full court press in the second quarter and were able to take the lead, but with time running out in the second the Dragon’s Jeston Baldonado would hit a pair of free throws to tie the game going into the half 17-17.
Both coaches would have to make changes going into the second half. The Dragon’s coach Chuck Scott said that his team “Needs to come to the ball on offense,” he also took notice of the Wildcats defense “We need to cut down on turnovers; I think they had six points off our turnovers.”
The Wildcats’ coaches would express their concern saying “We need to play focused; we’re not focused right now.” The Wildcats would focus coming out of the half and would play a shut down defense, and would lead after three quarters 36-29.
The Dragon’s Joseph Jenkins would foul out in the third after not playing at all in the second quarter. “It’s tough when the leader of your team sits out most of the game,” the Dragons’ coach Robert’s would say after the game.
The Dragons’ Jayden Hedge’s 13 point, 11 rebound double-double and Aaron Roberts 8 points would just not be enough to over come the Wildcats. The Wildcats were lead by Raymark Mariano’s own double-double posting 13 points and 12 rebounds.
VJ Borja would contribute 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals, and Kory Borja contributed 11 points and 2 assists in the Wildcats’ road to the championship.
In the opening game of the night, the St. Anthony Raiders would take on the Agueda Pirates. The game would be taken over by the Raiders’ John Ilao who would lead all scorers of the night with 22 of his teams 34 points as they defeated the Pirates 34-28 to take third place in the tournament.
The Raiders’ Danilo Rapadas would contribute 6 points and 9 rebounds in the Raiders win. The Pirates were lead by Jecarlo Palomo who would score half of his teams 28 points and had 7 rebounds. Joshua George would also add 8 points and 7 rebounds in the loss.