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By Niko Bulaon

Warriors Cara Young dribbles past a Shark defender and makes the basket. (photo by Joey Blas)

With the IIAAG girls’ basketball league really taking off after the first week of games, the St. Paul Warriors landed their first season win against the Sanchez Sharks, 50-25, after losing their season opener to the JFK Islanders a couple of nights ago.

Wanting to prove they’re not a team to take lightly, the Warriors pushed their way passed the Sharks in a blowout. By the second quarter, it was St. Paul’s game, building their lead and keeping Sanchez in a scoring flop. A three-pointer by sophomore Joylyn Pangilinan in the first minute of the game boosted the Warriors determination and aggressiveness.

But multiple fouls called on St. Paul and with Warriors’ top-scorer, Pangilinan, out with three personal fouls, the Sharks took advantage of the opportunity, pushing their way up the court as fast as they could and cutting the Warriors’ lead to four, 13-9.

Warriors’ Kindra Young stepped up; with her height and quickness, Young was able to put in second chance shots to give her team a little breather, 18-9. By the last two minutes, the Warriors built a huge lead, 24-13, after two steals and breakaway layups from Francine Nera and Justine Yeban.

Pangilinan shot another two-pointer to start the third quarter in the first 40 seconds. With the Sharks down by 11, point guard Shaniah Aguon found weak spots in the Warriors’ aggressive defense, assisting to two of her teammates. But it wasn’t enough; Yeban sparked a Warriors’ run after two back-to-back layups coming off of steals, building the gap to 13 points, 31-18.

The Sharks fought back with their defense, suffocating St. Paul, but causing unnecessary fouls to put their opponents on the line. In the last 20 seconds, another steal and a last minute layup by Warriors Cara Young put her team in a good spot, 37-18.

“Our coaches really pushed us hard,” commented K. Young, “It really put something in our minds to get better.”

Sharks Ayana Adaya pulls up and makes the difficult basket in front of the Warrior defender.

At the start of the first quarter, both the Warriors and the Sharks looked to put the game in their favor; Pangilinan grew her team’s lead after multiple two-pointers. But Sharks Kiara Toves and Vicky Mendiola put Sanchez right behind their opponents, 8-7. With Pangilinan out after her second foul, C. Young pushed her way up the court with a layup in the last ten seconds, giving her team the motivation they were looking for.

By the fourth quarter, the Warriors’ goal was to build their lead even further to keep their opponents from breaking it. The fast-paced offense of the Warriors caused Sanchez to foul out of frustration. But after a surprising three-pointer by Sharks Tristyn Mendoza, Sanchez looked to cut the Warriors’ lead further. But back-to-back layups from K. Young left her opponents in another scoring slump.

The Warriors’ ended the game with yet another last-minute layup coming from Pangilinan, giving the St. Paul their first win of the season.

“Our team came to together and we came out strong,” said K. Young. “I think we’re going to do pretty good [this season]. We have a really strong bond with each other. We can come out great.”

K. Young led the Warriors with 14 points, five rebounds, and a steal. Teammate Pangilinan contributed with 13 points, a rebound, and a steal.

 Other Scores

ND 53, GW 44

Okkodo 51, Harvest 28

Academy vs. Guam High will be rescheduled

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

GSPN Player of the game Kendra Young

Sharks Shaniah Aguon looks for open lane to drive the ball to the hoop. (photo by Joey Blas)

Warriors Francine Nera stops and pulls up for the easy basket. (photo by Joey Blas)

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