Connect with us

Basketball

WARRIORS CLOSE STRONG IN TIP-OFF WIN OVER KNIGHTS

The St. Paul Warriors fended off a late rally from the St. John’s Knights to take a tip-off victory in the 2018 IIAAG Boys Basketball season opener.

By Robert Balajadia

The St. Paul Warriors have thrown out the idea that they’re trying to defend their 2017 title and are instead playing with a title-chasing mindset. Going after the title of course means beating the leagues best teams and Tuesday’s tip-off win against the home team St. John’s Knights was just the first step towards that goal.

Wendy’s Players of the Game: D’Angelo Gallardo and Jahmar White.

Junior guard Jahmar White led the way with 26 points while teammate Josh Gatchallian, who didn’t play in the GSPN Preseason Tournament due to being off-island, added 23 points. Guard D’Angelo Gallardo was much in the clutch, scoring nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter.

“[Josh] really helps us control rebounds and makes us better defensively. In the preseason, we were getting killed on the offensive boards. We have to play like we’re in pursuit of a championship and not play like we’re defending one,” said White.

St. John’s guard Michael Min lead all scorers with 30 points and sharpshooter Takumi ‘Curry’ Simon scored 19 after making numerous trips to the bench to work through an injury.

Warriors hold off Knights surge

Gallardo was big time in the 4th quarter. Feeding off the traveling Warriors crowd, Gallardo nailed a corner three pointer to put the Warriors up 73-67 with just over two minutes left to play.

“I definitely feed off their energy,” said Gallardo on playing to the crowd. “This is what we love about St. Paul, it’s family oriented and all these fans come out every game just to show support.”

Knights Takumi Simon hit a wing jumper followed by a Min layup to get within 75-71.

Gallardo then benefited off a steal as he beat Knight Isaac Sim to the bucket, taking contact and converting a layup to extend his teams lead 78-71. Off a missed three from the Knights, Gallardo found a wide open Gatchallian under the basket in transition for an 80-71 lead with 1:10 left to play.

“Coach always tells us that we need leaders on the court so I stepped into that role tonight because I wanted to win this for my team,” said Gallardo on his big 4th.

But just like that, the Warriors nine nine point lead quickly evaporated. Simon got loose for a three-pointer on the Knights following possession and a big steal from Min led to an open Tony Hsieh on a corner three to pull St. John’s within 80-77 with just 41 seconds left to play.

Free throws from Gallardo kept it a two possession game 82-77, but Min was fouled on a wild three-pointer attempt with 31 seconds left. Min converted on just one of three shots as St. Paul broke a press that led to a breakaway lay in for White go up 84-78.

Despite having a nine point lead late in the game, the Warriors were well aware of the offense explosion the Knights are capable of.

“We know if they get a shot off then it’s most likely going in. Anytime we play against the Knights we know it’s going to go down to the wire because of their ability to makes shots. We just stayed up on the shooters and tried to make it tough for them,” said White.

The Warriors will host the Sanchez Sharks on Friday while the St. John’s Knights travel to Tiyan in search of their first win.

Other Scores

GW 60, ND 46
Okkodo 65, Tiyan 53
JFK 69, Sanchez 45
FD 85, Harvest 35

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

January

February 2025

March
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
Events for January

1st

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Events for February

1st

No Events
Events for February

3rd

Events for February

4th

Events for February

5th

Events for February

6th

Events for February

7th

Events for February

8th

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Events for February

9th

Events for February

9th

No Events
Events for February

11th

Events for February

11th

No Events
Events for February

13th

Events for February

14th

Events for February

15th

16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Events for February

15th

No Events
Events for February

16th

No Events
Events for February

18th

Events for February

19th

Events for February

20th

Events for February

21st

Events for February

22nd

23
24
25
26
27
28
1
Events for February

23rd

Events for February

23rd

No Events
Events for February

25th

Events for February

26th

Events for February

27th

Events for February

28th

COMING SOON …

QUICK HITS

The father-son duo of Kin and Don Pedro Cruz aboard @shutupandfishguam roped in this monster mamulan Saturday morning off the coast of Hågat. The mamulan fought for over 40 minutes on light drag.
—————————————-
Guam’s Team Yi Impact won the 10th Dreamers Youth Basketball Challenge in Manila, Philippines, taking the U18 girls division.

More in Basketball