Tinian JV’s Joe John Reyes pulls up for the shot against three SSHS JV defenders during a boys high school division game of the IT&E Interscholastic Basketball League at the MHS gym on Saturday.
SSHS JV’s Jayden Defang attempts to drive past a Tinian JV defender during a boys high school division game of the IT&E Interscholastic Basketball League at the MHS gym on Saturday.
SAIPAN Southern High School’s Junior Varsity team earned their second win in the boys high school division of the IT&E Interscholastic Basketball League SY23-24 by slipping past Tinian Jr./Sr. High School’s JV team, 28-27, at the Marianas High School gym on Saturday.
Tinian JV controlled the opening half of the game with defense as the key factor. Tinian JV closed off the driving lanes and disrupted any pocket passes inside to force a handful of turnovers. Trash was turned into gold as Tinian JV’s successful stops were turned into buckets at the other end. Herman Lizama, who scored seven points, guided his team to an eight-point advantage going into halftime, 16-8.
Following SSHS JV’s rough start, they reassessed their strategy during the halftime break and adjusted accordingly.
SSHS JV decided to turn the tide with their own take on pressure defense. Slowly but surely they shut down Tinian JV’s output while Marino Santos, along with Danny and Jayden Defang, scored nine points for SSHS JV to close the distance.
Tinian JV attempted to match SSHS JV’s tempo, but were a bit too aggressive and were called for several fouls, which sent SSHS JV’s Danny Defang to the charity line where he chipped away at the deficit with four free throw shots.
The game was deadlocked at 27-27 toward the final minute of the game and appeared headed to overtime. However, as soon as SSHS JV grabbed hold of the possession, John Lucero drew the foul and split his free throw attempts to seal the deal, 28-27.
Tinian JV played a second game, but suffered another loss, this time against Mount Carmel School JV, 12-35.
Joining the winner’s circle was Marianas High School Yellow which outlasted Kagman High School JV, 21-19.
