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By Patrick Lujan

Dolphins’ Paige Surber attempts the jump shot late in the fourth quarter. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Girls soccer championship, check. Girls volleyball championship, check. Girls basketball championship? So far, so good.

The Southern Dolphins girls sports program is going for an unprecedented achievement. After cruising to a 57-30 win Friday night over the Notre Dame Royals, the Dolphins are riding the right wave in what could possibly be another sports title – this time in girls basketball.

Sophomore guard April Talledo exploded for 11 of her game-high 19 points in the first quarter alone as Southern jumped ahead and never looked back at their home away from home, Talofofo Gym.

“I don’t count my points,” the soft-spoken Talledo said.

The Dolphins pulled away from a 5-4 lead early on sparked by Talledo’s offensive display that led to a 12-0 run. The young Agat resident intercepted an inbounds pass and converted it into an easy layup at the end of the opening quarter which pretty much set the pace for the rest of the game.

Dolphins coach Kevin Sanchez freely substituted the rest of the way as the entire bench contributed in the win.

Talledo was the lone Dolphin scoring in double digits and added five rebounds, six steals and an impressive block.

The McDonald’s player of the game: Dolphins’ April Talledo, 19 points

Leading 41-14 in the third quarter, the dimunative Talledo continued to play hard on defense as she raced out to a three-point shooter and blocked the  shot.

“It was nothing, really,” the modest Talledo said about the block. “It just comes natural. I knew I was going to block it.”

ND’s Taylor Crisostomo led her team with 14 points and six rebounds – eight of those points coming in the final quarter.

Southern improves to 3-0 while ND falls to 1-2.

The Dolphins won the junior varsity game as well 55-37.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Royals’ Demi Shimizu tries to dribble past the defense of Dolphins’ Tianna Sakaba. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Royals’ Demi Shimizu had a difficult time scoring anything inside with the stiff defense of Dolphins’ Tianna Sakaba lurking at every shot. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Royals’ Taylor Crisostomo draws her defender into the pick of teammate Lia Naputi. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Dolphins’ Paige Surber extends her reach to catch a cherry pick pass. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Far East Volleyball Preparation

As the reigning Guam girls volleyball champions and the Far East Volleyball Tournament getting underway on Monday at Naval Station, the Dolphins have been busy balancing basketball and volleyball practice.

With the Southern High gym still closed, the players have had to run around for practice the last two weeks.

“It’s crazy.” explained senior leader Paige Surber. “Balancing with school, it’s hard but we still managed to get it done.”

Surber said the players would hold basketball practice at the Talofofo Gym from 3-5 p.m. then go back to the Agat Gym to practice for the Far East Volleyball Tournament from 6-9 p.m.

As for the upcoming week, Surber said the team will focus on volleyball and pass up next week’s basketball games.

Other Friday night games

– The Okkodo Bulldogs remain unbeaten after slicing the Sanchez Sharks 38-21. The Bulldogs are considered one of the top title contenders in the league. Okkodo also won the JV game 43-15.

– The JFK Islanders picked up their first win of the season 43-24 over the Harvest Eagles. Rufing Royster had 10 points to lead the Islanders while Tatyana Ungacta paced the Eagles with nine points.

– The defending champion Academy Cougars bounced back from their loss to the Dolphins earlier this week to take out the GW Geckos 39-11. Alina Bonto led the Cougar bite with 16 points.

– The St. John’s Knights prized freshmen were at it again, guiding the way to a 61-39 win over the St. Paul Warriors. Destiny Castro had 22 points and Kali Benavente pumped in 18 as the Knights improve to 3-1 behind the two freshmen. The Warriors won the JV game 19-16.

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