This is the Dolphins’ second straight year to rule the championship since Kagman High School in 2009.
Sophomore Jeraldine Castillo posted MHS’ first 10 points four minutes in the first quarter and totaled 27 while Rachel Abrams bagged 14 at the Northern Marianas College Gymnasium.
With only a handful of openings, SSHS tallied one point in the first 10 minutes after Jomalyn Gelacio’s free throw. The Lady Manta Rays boosted eight points in the second period thanks to Roxanne Duenas, who eked out two triples and a jumper.
The Dolphins worked their way to a huge 30 point lead and outscored SSHS, 30-9 in the second half.
This was the Mantas’ second loss to MHS since the semifinals. The Mantas eliminated fourth-ranked Saipan International School, 61-48 in the losers’ bracket to reach the finals.
“The team did a great job this season. All of the players on the MHS team did the best they could and that’s what really put us on top,” said Madeleine Alegre, who scored four of the Dolphins’ 18 points in the third quarter.
“We knew that we had to do our best and play our best but also have fun in the process. That’s exactly what we did in the playoffs and finals.”
A handful of other Dolphins — Jeralyn Castillo, Nicole Arborilas, and Jaime Mendoza — each added two points before ending the Mantas in the third quarter.
A few baskets later, Kriz Gozon scored twice off easy turnovers and Reylynn Sapong fired a jump shot to deliver a 66-18 lead.
Mendoza trailed Abrams with six points while Melody Johnson scored five. Gozon and Lia Rangamar tallied four and two points, respectively.
Duenas led SSHS on 11 points while Czarina Lizama, Vanessa Bartolo, and Jahnelle Francisco earned two each.
Joining MHS’ varsity roster were Charlene Lizardo and Glorily Williams. The team was coached by Jonni Bohman and Max Garcia.
The Dolphins had earlier crushed SIS, 79-17 before reaching the semis. The Lady Geckos defeated third-seeded Tinian High School twice — 41-37 and 53-51 — before kneeling to SSHS. KHS took an early leave after losing to THS, 50-36.
The Manta Rays also included Daylinne Joseph, Chantel Maui, Josie Santos, Allysha Lloren, Rose Lizama, Jinky Kintaro, and Chelsea Bartolo.
Scores:
MHS 70 – Jeraldine Castillo 27, R. Abrams 14, J. Mendoza 6, M. Johnson 5, M. Alegre 4, K. Gozon 4, C. Lizardo 2, R. Sapong 2, L. Rangamar 2, N. Arborilas 2, Jeralyn Castillo 2
SSHS 18 – R. Duenas 11, C. Lizama 2, V. Bartolo 2, J. Francisco 2, J. Gelacio 1
Quarterscores: 26-1, 40-9, 58-13, 70-18
