KNIGHTS CONTINUE MARCH, REMAIN PERFECT

By Daniel Akimoto

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.

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.

OTHER GAMES

Academy 95, Notre Dame 14

St. Paul 56, Okkodo 34

Southern 56, Sanchez 38

JFK 73, GW 31

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