By John Baza

The Guam High Panthers played host to the St. Paul Warriors Friday night, and despite not having starting center John SanAndres in the lineup, the Warriors were able to secure the 57-47 win with a combination of attacking the rim and solid defense while utilizing their bench.

Warriors Angelo Rhodes and Isaiah Ewert led the team with 19 and 14 points, respectively, while Chris Monk and Allen Santos chipped in eight apiece. Kin Edusada and Robert Kranz had 11 apiece for the Panthers, while Kurt Edusada added nine points in the loss.

With Guam High trailing 42-34 heading into the final quarter of play, the home team Panthers took initiative from the start of the 4th, as their intense man-to-man defense forced a Warriors turnover right off the bat.

Panthers’ Kin Edusada cut the visiting team’s lead to six points with the first bucket of the quarter, but the Warriors’ speedy point guard Rhodes went coast-to-coast for the answer (44-36).

St. Paul’s Isaiah Ewert gets the rebound and goes up for the put back. (photo by Joey Blas)

Guam High’s man-to-man defense proved efficient, generating four steals in the first three minutes of 4th quarter play, but failed to capitalize after also committing turnovers to spoil their chances.

After a flurry of possession changes and time winding down, St. Paul’s post player Ewert was able to back down his defender and get the clutch basket to increase the lead 48-39 with two minutes remaining, forcing a Guam High timeout.

The Warriors’ Adrian Manansala was able to hang in the air and sink in the finger-roll bucket, but Kin Edusada answered right back with a layup of his own (50-43). Just as the Panthers started gaining momentum, St. Paul’s Chris Monk converted with four straight points and a clutch steal with just a minute left to play (54-43).

The Panthers’ Rodney Taitague went coast to coast to nail the and-one bucket to bring his team within eight points in the final 30 seconds, but the Warriors iced the game going 3-of-4 from the charity stripe to hold off the home team and secure the win on the road.

The first-half saw plenty of action as both teams displayed their ability to score and defend well, proving to the crowd that the rest of the game would be closely contested. The Panthers’ Jordan Hunter went off for eight points in the first quarter, but the Warriors’ Rhodes kept his team ahead with 11 first-half points to hold a slim 28-22 lead going into the second half.

“We were short handed tonight, so the game plan was just to attack and play solid defense”, said Rhodes on the game plan despite not having San Andres. “Coach gave me the green light to attack so that’s what I kept doing.”

Guam High’s Rodney Taitague goes up for the shot and draws the foul on the play. (photo by Joey Blas)

Second half action saw solid post play from the Warriors’ Ewert and Guam High’s Kranz, as both players kept their teams in contention with key buckets and excellent rebounding. The Warriors, however, were able to get productive numbers from their bench through most of the game.

Isaiah Ewert had a breakout game for the Warriors tonight, grabbing both offensive and defensive boards for his team while utilizing his body to convert on the offensive end.

“We rely on John a lot, so I just try to do all that I can and that’s what I felt I did tonight”, replied Ewert.

Other Scores

Okkodo 69, Tiyan 47
Southern 58, Harvest 33
FD 56, Sanchez 45 (FD: Juan King 14 pts, SS: Anthony Castro 13 pts)
GW 79, St. John’s 58

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

St. Paul’s Chris Monk makes the finger roll for to go up eight points in the fourth quarter. (photo by Joey Blas)

St. Paul’s Angelo Rhodes dribbles past a defender at mid court. (photo by Joey Blas)

St. Paul’s Adrian Manasala receives the pass at half court, then passes a defender and drives it to the hoop. (photo by Joey Blas)

Guam High’s Russel Rizzo charges past mid-court with seconds left in the half. (photo by Joey Blas)

Guam High’s Rodney Taitague gets the loose ball and dribbles the ball down court. (photo by Joey Blas)

Guam High’s Blaise Taitano takes a shot behind the arch. (photo by Joey Blas)

Guam High’s Jordan Hunter dribbles around defenders trying to get a clear shot behind the arch. (photo by Joey Blas)

St. Paul’s Isaiah Ewert finds an opening in the lane and makes the basket. (photo by Joey Blas)