Connect with us

Basketball

GECKOS ROLL IN TIP-OFF VICTORY OVER DOLPHINS

A strong performance from their starting backcourt proved big for the GW Geckos in their win over the Southern Dolphins.

By Robert Balajadia

GW Geckos Alana Salas and wingman Haily Banez controlled the pace from the opening tip as the pair scored 16 points each in their 53-40 victory over the visiting Southern Dolphins Friday evening in the official start of IIAAG’s Girls Basketball Season.

The Geckos quickly jumped out to a 13-2 lead in the 1st quarter and never looked back. Salas sent the home team into halftime with some flare after nailing a half-court shot as they rocked a 25-11 lead even without a pair of prominent starters due to them being a part of a volleyball trip in the Philippines.

Wendy’s Players of the Game: A sweet 16 points from both Haley Banez and Alana Salas helped carry the Geckos in a 53-40 win over the Southern Dolphins in the first game of the IIAAG Girls Basketball season. (Photo by Michael Blas)

“We performed well considering our circumstances. We’re missing two of our bigs so we played small ball today, but I think overall we played well,” said Salas.

The Dolphins were led in scoring by Nevea Salas’s 15 points.

Salas took her chances to score only when the defense presented it as she opted to get her teammates involved early, where she tallied five total assists on the night.

“I try to get my teammates involved to also try and get me going, but it happened in the flow of the game. I try to balance it out,” said Salas.

The Dolphins gave the home team a small scare in the 4th quarter after shaving a 40-25 deficit to just 43-36 after back-to-back fast break scores Nevea Salas and Raisa Sinelwith four minutes left to play. GW took two timeouts in that span to reset their defnses.

“We had to come together and focus on defense and allow our offense to come,” said Salas on her teams mindset to hold off the Dolphins.

Banez and Salas would go on to score the Geckos final seven points to secure their victory.

The senior campaign for the four-year Gecko product in Salas is due for a promising year. After getting into the Final Four last season, Salas is only hoping her final year can end in a bigger way.

“I think we’re a really good team this year and we’re hoping for a championship, or at least get further than where we got last year. We just want to excel as a team,” added Salas.

In another season opener, the St. Paul Warriors crushed the Tiyan Titans 76-16.

Senior Monica Giger balled out with 18 points, 12 rebounds, 11 steals and four blocks in only three quarters of play.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

June

July 2025

August
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
Events for June

1st

Events for July

2nd

Events for July

3rd

Events for July

4th

Events for July

5th

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Events for July

6th

Events for July

7th

Events for July

8th

Events for July

9th

Events for July

10th

Events for July

11th

Events for July

11th

No Events
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Events for July

12th

No Events
Events for July

13th

No Events
Events for July

14th

No Events
Events for July

15th

No Events
Events for July

16th

No Events
Events for July

17th

No Events
Events for July

18th

No Events
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
Events for July

19th

No Events
Events for July

20th

No Events
Events for July

21st

No Events
Events for July

22nd

No Events
Events for July

23rd

No Events
Events for July

24th

No Events
Events for July

25th

No Events
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
Events for July

26th

No Events
Events for July

27th

No Events
Events for July

28th

No Events
Events for July

29th

No Events
Events for July

30th

No Events

COMING SOON …

FD Alumni Basketball Tournament June 27-July 18

Pacific Mini Games June 29-July 9

 

QUICK HITS

Guam’s Jeremiah Camacho shot a perfect game at the 48th Hong Kong Open. The 22-year-old Guam National Team Member shot his 18th career perfect game on lanes 1 and 2 at Top Bowl Lanes in Hong Kong.
————————————————–
Guam’s athletes performed well in the Spartan Race in Capas Tarlac, Philippines, picking up two division wins and two 2nd place finishes.
Belen Sidell 43 yrs (1st)
Phil Law 58 yrs (1st)
Tess Esma 48 yrs (2nd)
James Sardea 55 yrs (2nd)
Charles Esma 18 yrs (12th)

More in Basketball