
By Robert Balajadia
It didn’t take too long for the St. Paul Warriors to get in their groove against the Guam High Panthers with their defense fueling a big 2nd quarter run where they outscored the home team Panthers 20-3. The Warriors would hold the large lead throughout the second half to grab a 77-53 win in the IIAAG’s lone varsity game Friday night.
Leading the way in scoring for the Warriors was forward Hayato Tsuji with 14 points. Tsuji often gets most of his points off hustle plays, like fighting for offensive boards and picking off the passing lanes in the open court that turn into easy buckets.
“Everyone has a role on a team… I just do the dirty work. And sometimes I have games like tonight where I’m making my shots,” said Tsuji on his team-high scoring.
Friday’s game was close after the 1st quarter with turnovers plaguing the Warriors as they only led 16-12. The Panthers were finding success attacking the basket with Travon Jacobs netting five points and Tobias Eckles adding four in the opening period. St. Paul ramped up the defensive intensity in the 2nd to take complete control of the game.
“We just started playing harder defense than the 1st quarter. That forced them into a lot of turnovers which gave us a lot of fast breaks. That really changed the momentum of the game and we just kept it on,” said Tsuji.
Thelo Orichiro scored 12 points and Audrey Dela Cruz added 11 to round out the Warriors top scorers. Eckles had 11 points to lead the Panthers and fellow big Dillen Dela Cruz added 10.
The Warriors still maintained their large lead in the second half which allowed them to get their entire bench in the game. St. Paul retired their starters before the 4th quarter as they enjoyed a 61-26 lead, but the starters stayed just as engaged in the game cheering on each and every play their subs made.
“I was them before and only got two minutes of play, so I know all the struggles. That’s why we always stay encouraging each other,” said the senior Tsuji on how important it is for the veterans to show support.
The Warriors improve to (5-1) on the season and the Panthers fall to (3-3).
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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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