By James Sablan Jr
Copyright mvariety
HOPWOOD Middle School’s varsity team is cooking up a streak in the boys middle school division of the PSS-NMIBF Interscholastic Basketball League SY25-26, notching their second straight win with a 49-17 rout of Saipan Community School V at the Marianas High School gym on Monday.
HMS V established dominance from the start, with Canisio William, Joshua Lizama, and Michael Olaitiman igniting the offense with the first three buckets. They continued to score, complemented by strong ball movement and offensive rebounds that created second-chance opportunities.
The Hopwood defense was just as effective, holding SCS V to six points in the first half. Several forced turnovers were converted into baskets by RT Yleisa, Tyler Mizutani, and Davaughn Somorang, giving HMS V a 26-6 lead at the break.
Victory was inevitable as Hopwood carried its momentum into the second half. Joy Gonzales came off the bench to reopen scoring with a two-pointer, while Landin Reyes took over with six straight points. Lizama and Olaitiman then returned to close out the game.
On the other end, SCS V’s James Van Dam was the only player to find the bottom of the net, but his efforts weren’t enough to prevent a 49-17 defeat.
Also joining the winner’s circle were Francisco M. Sablan Middle School V, which rolled past Dandan Middle School V, 41-14; and Chacha Oceanview Middle School JV, which outlasted HMS JV, 22-15.
