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WARRIORS CRUISE PAST PANTHERS

The Warriors picked up an away win over the Guam High Panthers in Friday night’s lone basketball varsity game of the IIAAG.

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.

Wendy’s Player of the Game: Hayato Tsuji

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 starters take a late-game photo while enjoying a big lead.

The Warriors improve to (5-1) on the season and the Panthers fall to (3-3).

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COMING SOON …

  • Brawl 3: Oct 13
  • Guam’s Strongest Man and Woman Competition October 29

 

QUICK HITS

The Figo Islanders 40s women’s softball team took gold in the Senior Softball World Championship in Las Vegas. Figo came out of the loser’s bracket and beat the Arizona Belles 17-3 in the AA division championship game Sunday afternoon.
Other Guam teams that played in the 40s tournament were: Team SOTTA (women’s) and Bud Light Guam, Friars 671 and Sindalun Guahan (men’s).
Sindalu finished a respectable 4th out of 24 AAA division teams.
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In Guam’s first time competing in the FIBA Asia Cup, we draw China, Japan, and Mongolia in Group C. Competition begins in 2024. Guam also moves up the FIBA world rankings to #76.

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