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By Robert Balajadia

Panthers’ LJ Aguon uses his quickness to get past the defense of Geckos’ Rashaun Blas. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

The defending champion GW Geckos are picking up where they left off last year winning their first two games of the 2013 high school basketball season by taking down the Guam High Panthers 58-52 in a thrilling comeback at the Gecko home Saturday night.

Trailing 38-48 with six minutes left to play in the fourth quarter the Geckos used a 10-1 run led by forward Rashaun Blas, who was rocking the 90’s flattop hairstyle, scoring six of his team high 17 points in the run to cut the lead 48-49.

“We tried to come out with our heads up thinking that the game is not over and push as hard as we can. We wanted to try and put the pressure more on them, force turnovers to get the ball back so we can come into our offense and score points to get us back in the game,” stated Blas.

McDonald’s player of the game: Geckos’ Rashaun Blas. 17 points

Panthers Austin Hines gave Guam High a 52-49 lead in off a mid-range jumper the final three minutes ending a dry spell for the Panther offense. A pair of free throws and a big bucket by Geckos Mathew Sotto off an offensive rebound gave GW its first lead of the game 53-52.

The Gecko defense shutdown the Panther offense in the final two minutes not allowing a single point despite having Blas foul out while garnering a 55-52 lead late in the quarter.

When asked if Blas was worried the game might slip away after hitting the bench he stated,”Not really, I believed my team could hold on. They have enough talent to hold the ball off and not let the other team score.”

The Geckos forced three turnovers in the final 30 seconds to further the lead 58-52 completing the comeback. The Panther offense relied heavily on the three-ball hitting 11 treys in the game. The offense, however, was ice cold in the final four minutes hitting only one shot which allowed the Gecko offense to storm a comeback.

Geckos’ Devin Maluwelmeng and Panthers’ Josh Foronda go up for the rebound. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Geo Quichocho added 16 points and 6 rebounds for the Geckos while Hines led the Panthers with 17. Marcus Domingo chipped in with 14 points for Guam High as well.

The Geckos improve to 2-0 while the Panthers split their first two games going 1-1.

Other Scores

Okkodo 67, Harvest 57

Joel Oyardo led the Bulldogs with 24 points as they defeated the Harvest Eagles.  Okkodo is once again looking like an early season favorite after a 2-0 start.

FD 66, Southern 38

The Friars opened their season with a dominating win over the Southern Dolphins behind an 18-point outing by Christian Paul Chang.  Losing in the championship game against the Geckos last year has only made FD hungrier for a title.

St. John’s 70, JFK 48

After a tough loss to the Sharks, the Knights rebounded nicely with a big win over the Islanders.  The Knights will get an early season test against the St. Paul Warriors on Tuesday.

St. Paul 61, Sanchez 45

The Warriors handed a second straight team a blow out loss after beating the Eagles by 20 points on opening night.  Starting off the season 2-0 can only mean that the Warriors are ballin’ once again.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Geckos’ Devin Maluwelmeng attempts the putback from under the basket. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Panthers’ Austin Hines tries to dribble through the stiff defense of Geckos’ Philip Taijeron. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Panthers’ Nick Clark and Geckos’ Edward Orland fight for the rebound. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Panthers’ LJ Aguon scores the fast break layup despite the contesting defense of Geckos’ Jacob Frias. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Geckos’ Rashaun Blas scores the post move, turn around jumper over the defense of Panthers’ Marcus Domingo. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Panthers’ LJ Aguon scores the floater over Geckos’ Devin Maluwelmeng. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

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