Fans leaped from their bench as Kagman High School claimed its second straight title with a strong 82-67 win over the Manta Rays last Saturday.
The Ayuyus’ stars of the night Juan Maratita and Sahj Hossain scored 26 and 22 points, respectively to give Kagman the edge. Maratita had no problems passing through Southern’s Tristan Ecalnea or its center Luis Byun. He tallied two layups in the first quarter before piling 14 more to end the first half.
KHS capitalized on its 10-point lead by the second half, landing two three-pointers from Jason Palacios and Hossain. They jumped seven points ahead three minutes into the third quarter.
The Mantas held on, stealing occasional passes in the second quarter. Its lead scorers John Villanueva and Pedro Castro garnered 12 points apiece. Ecalnea scored 11 and Joseph Jung earned nine.
“This has been an impressive season,” said Kagman’s head coach Faaea Talalemotu. “I’m proud of them. They’ve really stepped up this year. ”
The Ayuyus outran SSHS, 67-49 in the final quarter’s opening minutes. Palacios posted 18 points while teammate Kroy Ogo scored eight. Brandon Baubauta and Michael Manglona each added four more.
Southern’s Pedro Castro and Joaquin Muna watched Maratita zoom by, making Kagman’s last-second basket.
KHS’ Savali Talalemotu shared some of the action, even with a sprained ankle. He was injured earlier in the playoffs, according to his coach.
The Ayuyus also included: Eugenio Delos Reyes, Ichitaro Faisao, Erbert Santiago, Tristan Joseph, Chris Santos, and co-coaches Lee Epperson and Chris Tenorio.
Prior to the playoffs, Kagman High School enjoyed a flawless regular season with eight wins and no losses. They crushed SSHS, 69-36 in the quarterfinals and MHS, 87-78 in the semis. KHS is the first school to clinch MISO’s boys’ basketball title twice in a row.
From the losers’ bracket, the Mantas climbed past Mount Carmel School with an 85-60 win. They swept both Tinian High School (64-42) and Marianas High School (66-65) last Saturday before reaching the championship.
“I want to thank BANMI (Basketball Association of the Northern Marianas Islands) and its officiating crew, Tinian High School for coming here and playing, the private schools, PSS, Marianas High School for letting us use its facilities, and the students and coaches for their participation,” MISO acting president Nick Gross after the tournament.
Scores:
Kagman High School 82 – J. Maratita 26, S. Hossain 22, J. Palacios 18, K. Ogo 8, B. Babauta 4, M. Manglona 4
Saipan Southern High School 67 – J. Villanueva 12, P. Castro 12, T. Ecalnea 11, J. Jung 9, N. Salem 7, M. Cadiang 6, A. Palacios 4, J. Muna 2, J. Tudela 2, L. Byun 2
Quarterscores: 19-15, 41-31, 67-49, 82-67
