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ACTION in the Interscholastic Middle School Girls Basketball League was hot and intense last night at the Agat Gym. The Oceanview Lady Knights played host to the visiting Inarajan Lady Warriors in a battle for bragging rights down south. At the end of four quarters of play, the Lady Warriors improved their winning streak to four straight games after defeating the Lady Knights, 32-17.
“We did okay tonight. We started slow on both ends of the floor and didn't do what we were assigned to do, but we settled and went back to the game plan," Inarajan's Alyssandra Cruz said.
Despite a low offensive output by both teams, it was defense that was the key to producing points. A steal and fastbreak by the Warriors allowed for Kianna Topasna to shoot free throws after being fouled. Topasna sank one-of-two for an early 1-0 lead. The Lady Knights responded and converted two steals into three points to take their first lead of the game. However, just before the end of the first period, the Warriors would take a 4-3 lead back through Janelle Borja and Topasna's three combined points.
Oceanview began the second quarter with Marchillen Catalan draining a short jumper and giving her team a 5-4 lead. Both teams traded baskets, but it was the Knights who would hold on to a 9-6 lead midway through. After returning from a timeout, the Lady Warriors buckled down and went on a 6-0 run to close out the half and hold a 12-9 lead going into the break.
Second half
The defensive pressure of the Warriors intensified in the second-half as they opened up a 15-10 lead immediately. After giving up a point to the Knights, Inarajan's Cruz went hot and hit back-to-back buckets, including a three-pointer. The Knights continued to run into trouble as the Warrior defense remained tough. Cruz and teammate Tiarrah Sarrosa closed out the period combining for seven points to give their team a 22-10 lead after three.
In the final period, the Knights put forth great efforts in hopes of a comeback. However, the Warriors proved too strong and outscored the Lady Knights 10-7 in the final minutes of the game to pick up the 32-17 victory.
"Oceanview did really well. They hustled all night and never gave up," Cruz added.
