PANTHERS TAKE DOWN WARRIORS

By Jay Leon Guerrero

The Guam High Panthers improved to 4-0 in the IIAAG Boys Basketball League after getting a huge 72-68 home victory over the St. Paul Warriors. The Panthers stayed composed down the stretch and managed to defend their home turf despite a 30-point performance from St. Paul’s Raven Pascual.

The Warriors led 28-22 at halftime and opened up the third quarter with baskets from Pascual and Michael Bork to go up by 10 points.

The Warriors were up 32-22 and were in complete control of momentum at this point of the game. St. Paul was fueled by their fans that cheered from Panther bleachers. 

Guam High regrouped after a timeout. They remained calm, cool, and collective and slowly chipped away from their deficit.

“It’s been like this for the last few years. We let the crowd get to our heads. Tonight, we just competed as a team and trusted each other,” said forward Cameron Brantley.

Brantley and Aaron Johnson sparked a run in the third quarter to start the comeback. Judah Alcantara hit an open three-pointer to give the Panthers their first lead, going ahead 37-36.

We now have a game! Both teams were hustling for loose balls, and highlights were recorded on both ends of the court as the crowd reacted. 

For the Warriors, it was Pascual playing aggressively to close out the third quarter with St. Paul holding on to a 48-47 lead.

Pascual continued to lead the Warriors, driving and dishing around the Panther big men in the paint as the game went back-and-forth in the final period with three lead changes.

Ward comes up big

With 3:10 left in regulation, a Pascual free throw tied the game at 65-65. Moments later, Guam High’s Zarius Ward hit a go-ahead three-pointer, followed by a lay-up to go up 70-65. Ward was on fire in the fourth, scoring 11 of his 17 points in the final period.

The Panthers played good defense in the final minute to hold off the Warriors, winning the contest 73-68.

Brantley led the Panthers had a team high 19 points, Johnson added 13 points.

The stage is set for the 4-0 Panthers and the 4-0 FD Friars on Saturday night in a battle of undefeated teams. It’s still early in the season, but the game may impact home court advantage heading into the playoffs scheduled for next month.

“We just have to play how we did tonight,” said Brantley. “Win or lose, we are doing this together. We win together, we lose together.”

Tip off for the big game Saturday will commence after the junior varsity game, which starts at 5:30 pm at the Guam High gym.

Junior Varsity

In the junior varsity game, the Warriors defeated the Panthers 70-39. 

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