SSBC ALL STAR GAME

By Jay Leon Guerrero

The Inaugural South Shooters Basketball Club (SSBC) Invitational was held Sunday at the UOG Calvo Field House with their league and high school all-star games played at center court.

The first game was a thriller with SSBC Black coming from behind to beat SSBC Red 84-83. Michael Sakazaki led SSBC Black to victory with a team high 21 points. Elmer Horadas led SSBC Red with 25 points.

In the high school Public vs. Private Schools All-Star game, DJ Osborn (GW) led the Public School team to a 94-91 victory.

The Private School squad went ahead early in the game with Noah Tenorio (FD) leading the offense. The Public Schools team controlled the boards to finish off the first quarter MJ Simmy (SSHS) leading the charge.

Sharp shooter Colin Baker (FD) hit a pair of three-pointers in the first half, but the run-and-gun play style of Daran Treltas (GW) and Robby Haggard (OHS) had the public schools ahead 54-44 by halftime.

The Private Schools started to slowly chip away at their deficit with Mike Bork (SP) scoring seven straight points in the third quarter.

Cam Brantley (GH) continued to attack the basket in the fourth quarter to have the private schools trail by just four points. Noah Cruz (FD) hit a three-pointer and later scored in the paint to tie the game.

But it was Osborn, who was later named the game’s MVP, making plays down the stretch to get the victory for the public schools. “After they had tied the game, we started working together, and it all just started to flow,” said Osborn.

Brantley had a game high 31 points to lead all scorers. The FD trio of Cruz, Tenorio, and Baker scored 14, 12, and 10 points, respectively. Bork finished with nine points.

For the public schools, Haggard had 16 points. Darwin Ecijan and Josiah Madrazo from JFK scored 14 and 10 points, respectively. Simmy also scored 10 points for the public schools.

Micro Games bound

The all-star game featured three high school players selected to represent Guam at the 10th Micronesian Games this summer in the Marshall Islands. Cruz, Osborn, and Tenorio were all selected to represent Guam at the Games, which will be coached by Jimmy Yi.

All three players scored against each other and had some friendly trash talk during the game. “On the court, we go at it, and it’s competitive,” said Osborn. “But at the end of the game, off the court, it’s all love.”

“We were having fun out there going at it. It made the game more enjoyable for everyone,” said Tenorio.

“Since my Junior National days with Team Guam, I knew someday it would be my destiny to play with the Men’s National Team,” said Tenorio. “I’m excited and wishing to have the best experience. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity.”

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was little to represent Guam,” said Osborn “I’m really thankful and blessed.” 

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