CASTRO NETS 24 IN GIRLS HOOPS OPENER

By Jay Leon Guerrero

Second quarter sports are now officially underway with girls basketball taking the spotlight on Monday night. Reigning IIAAG Basketball MVP Destiny ‘Queen-B’ Castro and the visiting ND Royals defeated the Guam High Panthers 58-39 in the first game of the season.

Castro, who played just 18 minutes, scored 24 points and encouraged her squad to play team ball.

“Our goal is to be competitive when playoff time approaches. Coach (Dom Sablan) rotated the bench to get everyone involved with the offense,” said Castro.

Panthers come out roaring

The Panthers started their season on fire, while the Royals still looked like they were on first quarter’s volleyball mode. The Panthers opened up an 8-1 lead with Harmony Yatar leading the offense with 4 points.

Panthers’ Britney Bailey added another bucket to go up 10-2 with two minutes remaining in the opening quarter, forcing the Royals to burn a timeout. After the timeout, Castro scored two baskets; a fast break lay-in from a steal and a baseline reverse lay-in to keep the Royals within striking distance trailing 10-6.

The Panthers had no answer for Castro in the second quarter as she continued to counter each bucket from the Panthers. With four minutes before halftime, Cedera Aguilar hit a long three-pointer to give the Royals their first lead of the game. Castro followed up scoring 6 straight points to put her team up 22-15 at halftime.

The Panthers looked to mount a comeback but the Royals decided to let it rain from beyond the arc. Elysia Perez, Amara Gumataotao, Jessica Fernandez and Caley Chargualaf each hit from three-point land to open up a 20-point lead in the final period.

The depleted Panther squad suffered a blow to their offense when Yatar suffered a calf injury forcing her to exit the contest in the third quarter. Alexus Davis filled her spot and scored in transition, but the deficit was too far to overcome.

Bailey had a double-double for the Panthers with 16 points and 12 rebounds. The Royals had no answer for Bailey down low.

“She had a good game; she is really tall and used her height to her advantage. She is probably one of the best centers in the league. She can shut it down in the paint on defense and on offense she works her butt off.”

The Royals play again Tuesday night in their home opener vs. the GW Geckos and the Panthers will take on the Academy Cougars.

Wendy’s player of the Game Destiny Castro scored a game high 24 points to lead the Royals. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

STATS

Royals:
Castro – 24 PTS, 6 STL, 3 AST, 5 TO
Perez – 10 PTS, 2-2 3PM
Kylanie Ogo – 5 PTS, 6 REB

Panthers:
Bailey – 16 PTS, 12 REB, 6 STL, 3 AST, 1 BLK
Yatar – 8 PTS, 4 STL, 4 REB
Davis – 8 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST

Team stats:
Royals – 38.1 FG, 19 REB, 8 AST, 6-13 3-PTM (46-2%)
Panthers – 41.5 FG, 36 REB, 9 AST, 27 TO

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Panther Harmony Yatar attempts to block a shot from ND Royals on the fast break. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Royals Destiny Castro goes up for a reverse Layup against the aggressive Guam High panthers. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Destiny Castro avoids the meeting in the air with Panther Britney Bailey, dishing it off to an open teammate. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Panther Britney Bailey and Royals Demie Brennan fight for the official tipoff of the girls basketball season. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

(photo by Richard Camacho IV)

(photo by Richard Camacho IV)

(photo by Richard Camacho IV)

(photo by Richard Camacho IV)

(photo by Richard Camacho IV)

(photo by Richard Camacho IV)