Saipan International School’s star player Emily Jones top scored with 10 points, making six in the first quarter. Teammates Adele Hudkins and Seoung Hyun Lee garnered eight and four respectively.
The Geckos had a good running start, scoring 16 points in the first half. WPS struggled to keep up, missing on several panic shots.
Negahr Rastguiy led Whispering Palms’ main offensive, making nine points and shooting one of five free throws.
SIS — leading 18-6 by the third quarter — stalled to keep their lead, but lost some passes to WPS’ Gabrielle Race and Minori Yoshida. Whispering Palms went through a scoreless third quarter before making their late-game come back.
The Geckos faltered in the defense but recovered on aggressive steals from Phalai Frink and Jones. Both Frink and Sophia Tenorio earned two points apiece. Also with the team were Keriann Callaghan and Andrea Hoste, joined by coaches Rebeckah Iseman and Becca Shroeder.
Race shot two last-minute jumpers for four points. Victoria Chentsova and Yoshida scored two each. WPS, coached by Rob Epley, also included Nicole Arenovski, Jennifer Tan, Maile Aldrich, and Suah Cho.
SIS started this week’s playoffs with a 30-12 win over Saipan Community School on Monday afternoon. They advanced to Wednesday’s semis, where they crushed Grace Christian Academy, 19-13. Whispering Palms School needed only to beat Seventh-day Adventist School last Monday to reach the championship.
Scores:
Saipan International School 24 – E. Jones 10, A. Hudkins 8, S. Lee 4, S. Tenorio 2, P. Frink 2
Whispering Palms School 17 – N. Rastguiy 9, G. Race 4, V. Chentsova 2, M. Yoshida 2
Quarterscores: 12-4, 16-6, 18-6, 24-17
