Guam commemorates Memorial Day with high school All-Star event

CHALAN PAGO ORDOT - Guam recently held its second annual Wendy's Boys High School Basketball All-Star game. The event was played on Memorial Day evening at the FD Phoenix Center.

Team Supreme head coach Rey Serafico and Team Elite head coach Jin Han picked their teams from a pool of the best high school boys basketball players Guam has to offer.

Team Supreme's Serafico built his team around the league's best shooters and scorers who could all catch fire at any point during the game. The stars of team Supreme consisted of sophomore Takumi Simon, Billy Belger and Rodney Taitague who were all a major threat from behind the arc.

Team Elite's Han chose players with quickness and handles like Michael Min, Vern Gustilo, Kobe Sotelo and John Buan, who could push the tempo and excite the crowd.

Early in the piece, Serfico’s shoot-at-will philosophy seemed to be working with Team Supreme's first 12 points of the game all coming from the three-point line. Team Elite managed to stay close with a solid inside-outside game.

Near the end of the first quarter, Team Elite took their first lead on the back of some strong play inside from John Buan (Sanchez) and Hance Barcinas (ND). This lead was slashed to one point when Mark Temerowski (Harvest) finished a tip in on the buzzer.

The second quarter was a bit of a track meet with both teams getting out in transition. With the lead shifting back and forth, it looked like the game was going into the half tied at 43. But with only 6 seconds left, Team Elite executed perfectly to snatch the lead before the half on the back of Gustillo’s floater at the buzzer.

The Elites came out on fire in the third quarter, extending the lead to 11 early before ending the third quarter up 79-61.

Team Supreme wasn't going away though, starting the fourth with an 11-2 run, cutting the lead to just two points thanks to a layup from Nate Lorenzo (Okkodo).

Both teams went back and forth until the Elite led 89-87. Supreme attacked to try and tie the game but turned the ball over and had to foul the Elite which sent them to the line. Buan hit the first and missed the second but a big-time offensive rebound from Team Elite assured the 90-87 victory over Team Supreme.

The MVP honours went to Aiden Ferrara of Team Elite who ended with a game-high 18 points on the night.

Overall the event was a huge success and a great way to honour those who have given their lives to protect the people of Guam.

FIBA