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By Robert Balajadia
The JFK Islanders are advancing to the girls basketball semifinals after holding off a furious Guam High Panthers rally in the 4th quarter. The Islanders got big buckets late from center Alison “E-Racer” Bowman to beat the Panthers 49-38 at the JFK gym Friday night.
Bowman cashed in a big 18 points to go along with 10 rebounds and 5 blocks. Panthers Jailyn Jones scored 26 points while pulling down 8 rebounds in the loss.
Leading 39-17 to begin the final period, The Panthers got baskets from layups in transition from guard Jailyn Jones, going on a quick 7-2 run to get the score 41-24. Jones then hit a three pointer in the half court setting, followed by a jumper from Aisha Melendez to get within 41-31, capping off a 14-2 forcing JFK’s Roger Ramos to call a timeout at the four-minute mark.
Out of the timeout, Bowman made a bucket from the post to stop the bleeding, but a layup by Jones down the other end still had the once large Islander lead at just eight points, 43-35.
Royster then lobbed a pass into Bowman, who had great positioning on Panthers center Brittany Bailey, to give the Islanders back a double-digit lead 45-35.
JFK then turned up their defensive intensity in the final two minutes to close out the game with Bowman, Anita Onedera, and Royster making key defensive plays.
“We got a little too excited and let the lead get to our heads a little bit and I don’t think we started to realize how close they came back until they cut the lead to 10 points. The good thing we did was pull out the win and we did a good job at holding on to the ball in the final two minutes and just running the clock down,” said Bowman.
The Islanders had built up the large lead through three quarters by getting an all-around effort. Each starter scored the first 10 points for the team as the strong JFK defense held the Panthers to just two points in the opening period.
Scores from Bowman, Onedera, and Royster had the Islanders leading 29-11 at halftime, getting the 22-point lead over the Panthers through three quarters before the near comeback. The Islanders got a 10-point, seven-assist night from Onedera and a nine-point six-assist night from Royster. Bailey had nine points and 13 rebounds for the Panthers.
JFK will now shift their attention towards Southern in a rematch between two strong defenses.
“We just have to play our game and not let the crowd get to us. All five players on the court have to play as a team and we all have to have our heads in the same place,” said Bowman on facing Southern.
The quarterfinals will continue to play out Saturday night when the Academy Cougars travel to ND to face the Royals to decide the final four semifinalist.
Other Scores
Southern 52, St. Paul 43
Okkodo 46, Harvest 24
PHOTO GALLERY:
GPS Sports Calendar
March 2024
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
1st
ISA SOFTBALL
IIAAG MS GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
Events for March
2nd
HS RUGBY
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
2nd
Events for March
4th
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
ISA SOFTBALL ALL-ISLAND COACHES MEETING
Events for March
5th
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for March
8th
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PLAYOFFS
Events for March
9th
ISA SOFTBALL FINALS
HS RUGBY FINALS
Events for March
9th
Events for March
14th
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
Events for March
16th
Events for March
17th
Events for March
18th
Events for March
19th
Events for March
20th
Events for March
22nd
Events for March
24th
Events for March
25th
Events for March
27th
Events for March
28th
Events for March
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for March
30th
Soccer
ISLANDERS OUTSHOOT DOLPHINS
Uncategorized
4TH QUARTER SPORTS SET FOR TAKE OFF
Soccer
ISLANDERS OUTSHOOT DOLPHINS
Uncategorized
4TH QUARTER SPORTS SET FOR TAKE OFF
COMING SOON …
4th Quarter Sports
- Guam Marathon