Connect with us

Basketball

PANTHERS OUTLAST SHARKS’ COMEBACK

The Guam High Panthers got back to their winning ways Saturday as they defeated the Sanchez Sharks while holding off a late rally.

[useful_banner_manager_banner_rotation banners=9,17 interval=8 width=120 height=600 orderby=rand]

By Niko Bulaon

In a packed Guam High gymnasium, the Guam High Panthers edged passed the young Sanchez Sharks in a head-to-head battle, 53-48, Saturday night.

Boys Basketball STANDINGSWith the fourth quarter underway, the Panthers kept their lead building, but Sharks John Buan had other plans after landing back-to-back two-pointers to bypass their opponents for the first time in the game, 46-43. Behind Austy Hines, the Panthers quickly took back their lead, 51-46.

With less than a minute left to go, Buan tried to rally his team for a miraculous comeback. But multiple turnovers by the Sharks gave the Panthers a chance to let time expire. Panthers Rodney Taitague hit the go-ahead layup to end any chance of a Sanchez comeback, giving Guam High the win.

“It feels good,” said Hines about tonight’s win. “It wasn’t our best game; Sanchez came to play. A lot of our players stepped up when our starters were in foul trouble. Big shout-outs to them; they did really well today.”

The Panthers started the game with a quick 7-0 run behind L.J. Aguon. As the Sharks tried to keep up with their opponents, Aguon hit another three-pointer and two free throws to grow his team’s lead, 12-5. Behind Edmer Aguas, Sanchez caught up to Guam High before time expired, 19-16.

Sharks’ John Buan took the ball between two Panther defenders and attempts for two. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Sharks’ John Buan took the ball between two Panther defenders and attempts for two. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Sanchez came into the second quarter with determination, tying with the Panthers, 19-19, after made baskets from Dean Nilo. But the Panthers didn’t seem fazed as they kept their lead intact from multiple free throws to end the half at 28-24.

Going into the second half, the Panthers stayed ahead of their opponents, but made free throws by Kalvin Vitug and an easy lay-in from David Pugay tied the score at 30-30 with five minutes left to go. Guam High put in second-chance shots to build their lead, 37-33, but Buan and Nilo ended the third quarter on a high note, cutting into the Panther’s lead, 39-37.

“I’m always confident in my team,” stated Hines about his team’s progress through the rest of the season. “I don’t want to get complacent, but I think my team will do really well.”

Hines led the Panthers with 10 points and five rebounds. Aguon contributed with nine points and six rebounds. Buan led the Sharks with 18 points, four rebounds, and four steals.

Other Scores

JFK 85, ND 51 – (JFK) Billy Belger 19 pts. (JFK) Chris Connar 17 pts. (ND) Sage Afaisen
St. Paul 60, FD 56 – (SP) Jason Aquino 26 pts. 4 stls. (SP) John San Andres 15 pts. 11 reb. (FD) Bien Carlos 15 pts.
GW 70, Harvest 44
Southern 64, Okkodo 55

PHOTO GALLERY:

Sharks’ Dominic Garcia put the ball up attempting for two with this short jumper. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Sharks’ Dominic Garcia put the ball up attempting for two with this short jumper. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Sharks’ John Buan attempted to take the ball into the lane and is fouled on his way to the board. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Sharks’ John Buan attempted to take the ball into the lane and is fouled on his way to the board. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Panthers’ Ansty Hines took the ball up the lane and shot for two over Sharks’ Curtis Aranzaso. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Panthers’ Ansty Hines took the ball up the lane and shot for two over Sharks’ Curtis Aranzaso. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Panthers’ Michael Stewart drove the ball down the baseline and attacked the hoop from the backside. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Panthers’ Michael Stewart drove the ball down the baseline and attacked the hoop from the backside. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Panthers’ Levis Harris out jumps Sharks’ David Pugay and tips the ball out towards teammate LJ Aguon. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Panthers’ Levis Harris out jumps Sharks’ David Pugay and tips the ball out towards teammate LJ Aguon. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

August

September 2023

October
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
Events for August

1st

Events for September

2nd

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Events for September

3rd

Events for September

3rd

No Events
Events for September

5th

Events for September

6th

Events for September

7th

Events for September

8th

Events for September

9th

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Events for September

9th

No Events
Events for September

11th

Events for September

12th

Events for September

13th

Events for September

14th

Events for September

15th

Events for September

16th

17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Events for September

17th

Events for September

18th

Events for September

19th

Events for September

19th

No Events
Events for September

21st

Events for September

22nd

Events for September

23rd

24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Events for September

23rd

No Events
Events for September

25th

Events for September

26th

Events for September

27th

Events for September

28th

Events for September

29th

Events for September

30th

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

COMING SOON …

  • Brawl 3: Oct 13
  • Guam’s Strongest Man and Woman Competition October 29

 

QUICK HITS

The Figo Islanders 40s women’s softball team took gold in the Senior Softball World Championship in Las Vegas. Figo came out of the loser’s bracket and beat the Arizona Belles 17-3 in the AA division championship game Sunday afternoon.
Other Guam teams that played in the 40s tournament were: Team SOTTA (women’s) and Bud Light Guam, Friars 671 and Sindalun Guahan (men’s).
Sindalu finished a respectable 4th out of 24 AAA division teams.
——————————————————-
In Guam’s first time competing in the FIBA Asia Cup, we draw China, Japan, and Mongolia in Group C. Competition begins in 2024. Guam also moves up the FIBA world rankings to #76.

More in Basketball