The Sports Leigh-Out: April 4-10

Hafa Adai yan Tirow sports fans, this is Leigh Gases bringing you Marianas Press’ weekly wrap up—the Sports Leigh-Out for the week of April 4-10.

Let’s take a closer look at what our athletes have been up to in off-island competitions and on their home turf—whether it’s on the pitch, mat, courts, fields, track, pools, or the beautiful ocean.

G Rollers rally to 15U champs

The G-Rollers remained calm, cool, and collected as they rallied to win the 2025 NMIBF 15U Boys Basketball League championship over a strong Prospects 1 team, 54-51, last Friday at the Koblerville Gymnasium.

Despite their head coach Joe Diaz being unable to make it to the finals due to health reasons, his team pulled off the win under the guidance of assistant coach T.J. Factor.

The game got off to a slow start, with both teams unable to execute as the nerves and pressure of the do-or-die game seemed to get under their skin. It wasn’t until a few minutes after the jump ball that the first point was scored, but from there, it was a mad scramble for the upper hand and the lead.

At the end of the first quarter, the G-Rollers enjoyed a 9-2 lead, 6 points of which were scored by James Matsumoto.

Then, the Prospects’ offense exploded in the second quarter as they had everything going for them. They converted point after point thanks to their fastbreak plays and held a 26-9 lead at the end of the first half. Logan Daniel scored 10 points in the second quarter, while the rest of the starting five contributed the others.

The third quarter still had Prospects written all over it as Daniel continued his dominance with 8 straight points, while Liam Wilson and Jairus Pangilinan drained 3-pointers each for more cushion. However, at the end of the third quarter, the G-Rollers were behind by just 6 points, 36-42, as Enzo Sasamoto scored 8straight points, including back-to-back threes, and as Matsumoto also chimed in with two from downtown.

In the final quarter, the G-Rollers played with a ferocity that doused Prospects’ flame and quickly climbed out of the steep hole they had been in. They regrouped, and it seemed like a different team stepped onto the court as, led by Sasamoto and Matsumoto, they halted Prospects’ production while they chipped away at the lead.

From there, Sasamoto went on a shooting spree, scoring 4points, while Matsumoto hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 45-45. That was the turning point as the G-Rollers steeled themselves and became an impenetrable force, with their defense strengthening to produce steals, blocks, and rebounds that proved crucial with just a few minutes left.

Then, Sasamoto and Matsumoto scored the final four points to secure the win, as Prospects, despite having the final possession, failed to make a Hail Mary 3-pointer by Pangilinan.

For his exceptional performance, Sasamoto was named the MVP and was also awarded the Most Deflections (2 blocks and 45 steals) and Most Assists (43). Teammate Evan Cabrera won the Most Rebounds award with 70.

PSS Sports: Final quarter sports underway

The final sports of the CNMI Public School System Athletic Program for school year 2024-2025 are underway as summer fast approaches.

The diamond at Dandan is seeing a lot of traffic as high school girls and elementary school sluggers teed off last week. Marianas High School and Kagman High School dominate the PSS-NMISA Interscholastic Girls High School Fastpitch Softball League with two wins each as of Monday, April 7. In the Inaugural PSS-NMISA Co-ed Elementary School Softball League last April 2, Garapan Elementary School blew out Mount Carmel School, 12-1, and Kagman Elementary School defeated William S. Reyes Elementary School, 5-2.

On the basketball court at MHS, the IT&E Interscholastic Girls Middle School Basketball League tipped off on Monday, with Tanapag Middle School and Dandan Middle School leading the pack with two wins a piece as of Wednesday.

Over on the pitch in Koblerville, the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Boys Middle School Soccer League kicked off on Tuesday. Hopwood Middle School won over neighbor Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, 6-1; Dandan Middle School blanked Saipan Community School, 10-0; Tanapag Middle School ruled over MCS, 8-2; and Saipan International School slipped past HMS JV, 2-1.

At press time, results of the opening games of the PSS-NMIVA Interscholastic Boys High School Volleyball League have yet to be inputted.

Ol’Aces teams bag wins in Little League

Ol’Aces teams are on top of their game in their respective divisions of the 2025 Saipan Little League Baseball season after victories last weekend at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.

In the Junior League Division last Saturday, they stacked a 23-run game against the Bears and won, 23-9. The Senior League Ol’Aces team however, suffered a loss in a close, 5-6 matchup against the Braves.

On Sunday, Ol’Aces Juniors brought their winning ways and won again against the Blue Jays, 20-9, while the Ol’Aces Seniors bounced back with a win over the Comets. In their makeup game that night, Ol’Aces racked up their third win of the day over the Comets, 8-7.

Karate team places in Guam champs

CNMI Martial Arts Academy of Self-Defense-Kyokushinkai Karate Watanabe Dojo team made up of five martial artists placed in their respective divisions in the 2025 Guam Full Contact Karate Championship on Saturday at the iLearn Academy Charter School in Harmon, Guam.

Black belt and sensei Danny Banez placed first in the Adult Senior Men's 60+ Openweight, while Dr. George Elias also placed first in the Adult Senior Men's 40-49 Openweight.

Young martial artist Zane Fujihara bagged a bronze and the Spirit Award in the Boys 9-11 division, while John Austin settled for silver in the Boys 14-16 division.

Stay tuned for the full report this week.