
By Robert Balajadia
The St. Paul Warriors are headed to the ISA Boys Basketball Finals after a strong outing Wednesday evening where they defeated the Okkodo Bulldogs 73-53 in the semifinals. Led by their young stars, the Warriors outscored the Bulldogs 26-5 in the 2nd quarter to blow the game open and they never looked back.
The extra motivation to defeat the Bulldogs came just a week ago when the Warriors lost a close one to Okkodo in the regular season finale.
“We wanted to play these guys right away after [we lost]. All the boys were really hungry today so we were determined to win this one for sure,” said Warrior Jacob Miranda.
Sophomore forward Xander Sanchez scored 25 points and junior guard teammate Jacob Miranda added 16 to pace the Warriors leading scorers.
Sanchez scored 13 of his points in the first half, outscoring the Bulldogs by his lonesome netting six points in the 2nd quarter while Okkodo only scored five. The Warriors ramped up the defense creating a wealth of fast break opportunities to take command of the game.
“Our coaches told us to lock it up on defense and stop their shooters. I don’t know where all these lefties came from,” joked Sanchez.
Okkodo battled back in the 3rd quarter behind big-man Jessie Martin, using an 11-2 run in the opening two minutes of the quarter to get within 46-28. The Bulldogs would continue to battle in the 4th to get as close as 13 points, 58-45, but Miranda would heat up by hitting a pair of pull-up jumpers to stretch their lead 65-45.
“At home I just get shots in all day. I was getting tired of missing these all season,” said Miranda on finding his groove. “I also have to thank God. I always pray to him, but we still have one more game,” added Jacob.
Martin and teammate Justin Arjona led Okkodo with 19 points each.
The Warriors will face the FD Friars for the league title this Saturday at the Phoenix Center with FD getting to host via higher seed.
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GPS Sports Calendar
January 2023
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11th
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12th
Events for January
14th
Events for January
15th
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16th
Events for January
17th
Events for January
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
21st
LIFT HEAVY + LIFT FAST – BFF SERIES
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for January
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for January
24th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for January
25th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for January
26th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for January
27th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
GLORIFIED SPARRING X
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
28th
5K DASH FOR ASH
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for January
29th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 1
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL
Events for January
30th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for January
31st
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL

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