GRACE Christian Academy, which holds a perfect 3-0 record in the IT&E Interscholastic Girls Middle School Basketball League, has a not-so secret weapon: Azriel Fatialofa.
In the Eagles’ opening game against Hopwood Middle School 2, Fatialofa showcased her strength underneath the rim.
At first, HMS 2 stood toe-to-toe with GCA defensively, preventing most of the Eagles’ shot attempts.
However, once she found her groove, Fatialofa went to work, sinking back-to-back buckets from inside the paint to give GCA control.
The HMS 2 Hilitais struggled to find the bottom of the net but did manage to sink three points by halftime as GCA led 22-3. Fatialofa alone scored 22 points.
In the second half, GCA started to slow down the pace offensively but that did not present any opportunities for HMS 2 as the Hilitais continued to struggle, scoring four points only.
Despite several missed shots, GCA remained strong with Fatialofa in the frontline as the Eagles crushed the Hilitais, 34-7.
Dandan Middle School proved to be a tougher opponent for GCA, but the Eagles still managed to win, 5-4.
With defense highlighting the entire game, neither team could build enough momentum.
Angelina George was the only player to put up a shot for the DMS Tottots while Fatialofa equalized with two points of her own from the free-throw line as the halftime ended in a 2-2 tie.
In the second half, DMS’ Maylani Reyes scored a bucket while GCA’s Vaniqa Torres split the charity shot to give the Tottots the lead, 4-3.
But with enough hustle, GCA’s Fatialofa’s managed to deliver a clutch shot to steal the win from DMS, 5-4.
GCA’s third “victim” was Saipan Community School which lost to the Eagles, 6-12.
This Wednesday at the MHS gym, Hopwood 1 will face its sister team, Hopwood 2, at 4:30 p.m.; Saipan Community School will go against Dandan Middle School; Grace Christian Academy will battle it out with Mount Carmel School at 5:15 p.m.; Tanapag Middle School will go mano a mano against GCA; and Dandan Middle School and Hopwood 2 will square off at 6 p.m.
GCA’s Azriel Fatialofa dribbles against a defender during an IT&E Interscholastic Girls Middle School Basketball League game on Tuesday at the MHS gym.
A Dandan Middle School player holds the possession as a defender tries to strip the ball away during an IT&E Interscholastic Girls Middle School Basketball League game on Tuesday at the MHS gym.
