The St. John’s Knights showcased their dominance Friday night, dismantling the Guam High Panthers 62-31 on the Panthers’ home court in high school girls basketball action. The Knights exploded out of the gate with a jaw-dropping 29-point first quarter, setting the tone for a game that was never in doubt.
Guam High came into its home game with a 4-1 mark and looking like contenders.
Player of the Game: Zoe Whitehead
Although their offensive pace slowed in the remaining three quarters, the early surge proved insurmountable for the Panthers.
The Knights’ defensive intensity was the story of the opening frame. Employing a relentless full-court press, St. John’s suffocated Guam High’s ball handlers, forcing turnovers and limiting the Panthers to just two points in the first eight minutes. The pressure was so overwhelming that the Panthers struggled to advance the ball past half court, allowing the Knights to build a commanding lead before the game had truly begun.
Leading the charge was sophomore standout Zoe Whitehead, who delivered a stellar double-double performance with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Whitehead’s impact extended beyond the stat sheet, as she anchored the Knights’ defense and provided leadership on the floor. After the game, Whitehead reflected on her performance and the team’s mindset.
“I had a really good performance tonight, but it doesn’t matter how many points or rebounds you have,” Whitehead said. “It’s about being beneficial to the team—whether that’s assists or defensive stops. It’s not all about offense, it’s about team play. But I’m glad I was able to help my team get this win.”
Whitehead wasn’t alone in making an impact. Senior Amara Del Carmen added 14 points and seven rebounds, providing a strong inside presence, while reigning MVP Jia Peters turned defense into offense with five steals, disrupting Guam High’s rhythm throughout the night. The Knights’ ability to share the ball and play unselfishly was evident, even as their scoring slowed after the first quarter.
Despite the lopsided score, the Panthers showed resilience. Cambrie Egbert led Guam High with 13 points and an impressive eight steals, doing everything she could to spark her team. Egbert’s hustle and defensive effort kept the Panthers competitive in stretches, but the early deficit was simply too large to overcome.
With the victory, St. John’s improves to 6-0, maintaining their perfect record and solidifying their status as the team to beat in the league. The Knights are not just chasing wins—they’re chasing history. As defending champions, they have their sights set on going back-to-back, a challenge Whitehead acknowledged.
“We want to be back-to-back champions. We know it’s going to be a hard feat, but as long as we’re locked in and don’t take anyone—or ourselves—for granted, then we can do it.”
The Knights will look to keep their momentum rolling when they host Tiyan on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the Panthers will hit the road to face Academy, hoping to bounce back from a tough loss.