
By Brandon Kinsella
The Southern Dolphins earned their first win of the IIAAG Boys Basketball season on Tuesday night in an away game against the Guam High Panthers. The Panthers led for the entire first half, but a strong performance by Dolphins Elijah Cruz helped put the Dolphins in front, securing a 58-54 win.
A plethora of jump shots were taken by both teams throughout the ballgame. Threes and mid-range shots were the focus for both offenses, and it would come down to who could make more of their jumpers in the end.
The Dolphins trailed for the entire first-half, but managed to keep the score tight throughout the game. All they needed was momentum to get in front and they found it when guard Javier Duenas nailed his second three-point buzzer beater to end the 3rd Quarter. The three cut the deficit to just one at 47-46 and would give the Dolphins confidence going into the final quarter.
The Dolphins were able to ride the momentum at the start of the 4th Quarter as Forward Kyler Afleje drained a three-pointer to give his team their first lead of the game at 49-47. Then a big defensive play by Elijah Cruz stopped Panthers Forward Nicholas Keefe from scoring in transition.
Down by five with a minute left to go, Panther Jayson Jackson forced a huge steal with an open lane to the basket but would miss on the layup opportunity.
Cruz, who had been hot the entire game, put the nail in the coffin, after sizing up his defender and hitting a left-hand floater to put the game in hand with only 38 seconds left to play.
Cruz, who finished with 19 points, described what went through his mind as he made the shot that iced the game.
“I was just trying to do whatever I could to put our team in the best position to win. I’m glad the shot went in.”
The Panthers played effectively throughout the first half. They knocked down their jump shots and their pressure defense caused a lot of turnovers. However, they accumulated 10 fouls in the first half alone. Southern’s strategy in the first half was to wear out the Panthers defense through their ball movement at the top of the key, which forced Panthers guards to switch and stay moving. With time, their strategy paid off and the Dolphins would be too much for the Panthers to overcome.
Panthers Nicholas Keefe led his team in scoring, finishing with 17 points. Center Corey Brown made key contributions for the Panthers as well, finishing with eight points and 10 rebounds.
“Coach kept telling us keep playing, keep fighting. We’ve had a lot of seasons where we only won one game, so opening our season with a win means a lot to us and I’m glad we were able to come back.” – Elijah Cruz
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GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
12th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2K/5K
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

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