DUO LEADS PANTHERS OVER JFK 47-45

By Daniel Akimoto

The Guam High Panthers pulled off a dramatic comeback to edge out the JFK Islanders 47-45 on Tuesday night in high school girls basketball action. After trailing for most of the game, Clara Johnson and Cambrie Egbert combined for 29 points to lead their team to victory.

Johnson, who finished with 16 points, 14 rebounds, and a steal, reflected on the team’s resilience:
“It was, like, fight or flight mode. We tried to execute, push as hard as we could, you know?” said Johnson. “JFK is a really strong team, so we needed everything that we had—all teammates to just push 100% and come out with a win.”

The Panthers started strong, jumping to a 10-5 lead. However, the Islanders’ aggressive defense forced nine turnovers in the first quarter, allowing them to take a 12-11 lead by the end of the period.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern. JFK outscored Guam High 14-7, with Jaelyn Han taking control and finishing the half with 10 points and 3 steals. The Islanders entered halftime with momentum and an eight-point lead.

Despite the deficit, the Panthers came out of the break with renewed energy. Although JFK continued to force turnovers, their half-court offense struggled with efficiency. Guam High capitalized on missed opportunities through strong rebounding, winning the third quarter 12-10 and narrowing the gap to 36-30 heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter began with an and-one play from Paylor Egbert, who converted the free throw. A slick assist from C. Egbert to Jillyan Plummer brought the Panthers within one.

But the Islanders later responded. Han sank two free throws, and Mylie Navarro went coast-to-coast after a steal to extend the lead to 44-35 with just under three minutes remaining.

Then came the Panthers’ final surge. Key baskets from Destiny Blaize, Johnson, and C. Egbert, along with a crucial block from Plummer, cut the lead to 44-43, prompting a JFK timeout.

Out of the timeout, the Islanders set up a play, but a hustle steal by P. Egbert gave Guam High a chance to take the lead. Johnson received the ball from Plummer, slipped through two defenders, and finished with her left hand to put the Panthers ahead 45-44.

JFK had a chance to respond, but Jaia Caguioa was injured while attempting a layup. Despite the pain, she stayed in to shoot her free throws, missing the first but making the second to tie the game at 45.

With under 20 seconds left, the Panthers looked to avoid overtime. C. Egbert broke the press and found Johnson cutting to the basket for the go-ahead score, making it 47-45.

With five seconds remaining, JFK attempted a full-court play, but Johnson intercepted a short pass to seal the win.

Egbert, who tallied 13 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals, spoke about the team’s mindset heading into the fourth:

“In the first part of the game, we were just trying to stick with them, trying to, like, push a little bit,” said Egbert. “But as we went into the 4th quarter, I feel like our mindset kind of went into, like, attack mode. We were trying to make their defense work just a little bit harder, and we were trying to, like, go to the basket more and try to attack better.”

The Panthers dominated the boards, winning the rebounding battle 42-28. Johnson credited the team’s effort and communication:

“I tell my team, box out, box out—you know, that really helps us get boards. I mean, I’m always the one that they count on to get the rebound, so I need to prove to my team that I can work for them and show up for them and get these boards,” she said.

OTHER GAMES

Okkodo 50, Notre Dame 33

St. John’s 95, Sanchez 14

Southern 72, Tiyan 35

St. Paul 66, GW 25

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