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Sharks take the lead in ASHSAA Boys Varsity Basketball

The match-up of the top two teams in this year’s American Samoa High School Athletic Association (ASHSAA) Boys Varsity Basketball division took place this past Tuesday at Samoana High School, when the Fa’asao Marist Crusaders brought their number one ranking into Samoana to take on the second seeded Sharks in a game that had the lead going back and forth a number of times.

 

The Sharks went into the game with a five game winning streak, with their last loss being to the Crusaders on January 9, by just four points. Being led by Logan Tago who had 17 points, the Sharks were able to overcome a hard attack by a much smaller Crusaders team who surprised the Sharks by attacking the boards and drawing in the fouls from the Sharks.

 

The Sharks did what they have been doing all season and that is — use their size to their advantage, playing an attack game of their own against the Crusaders. The Sharks battled their way to victory by a score of 57-46 making it six straight wins. The Crusaders Mafoa Pomele led his team with 17 points, while teammate Oliver Afoa added 15 points to the board.

 

With the win, the Sharks are on top of the standings with their next game today against the South Pacific Academy Dolphins at Samoana. The other game scheduled for today is the ASHSAA defending champion Tafuna Warriors taking on the Nu’uuli VocTech Wildcats in Tafuna.

 

The next game for the Crusaders is tomorrow (Friday) in the Malaeloa gymnasium where they will be hosting the Leone Lions. The Lions recently defeated the Warriors, and that certainly boosted their confidence, while the Warriors have dropped two straight —against the Sharks and Lions.

 

Also on the schedule for tomorrow is the Warriors hosting the Dolphins. All of these games have a scheduled starting time of 4:30 p.m.

 

If the Lions can capitalize on their recent big win against the Warriors, they can finish the regular season strong. Even if the Lions fall to the Crusaders tomorrow, they still have a strong  chance of finishing the season in the top four and above .500 with the playoffs coming up that are slated to start on February 20.

 

Despite strong performances this season from the Faga’itua Vikings and Wildcats, they continue to fall further and further behind in the standings. Even though the Dolphins keep improving each game, lady luck has not been on their side this season, which is something they could have used all season.

 

ASHSAA continues to invite the public out to all of these games in support of our athletes. A reminder, that the game schedule is subject to change without notice.

 

Here are the latest ASHSAA Boys Varsity Basketball division standings:

 

TEAM            W            L            PF            PA

 

Samoana            7            2            434            349

 

Fa’asao Marist            6            2            364            317

 

Tafuna            4            2            270            213

 

Leone            4            4            364            342

 

Nu’uuli VocTech            2            4            217            245

 

Faga’itua            2            5            200            254

 

South Pacific Academy            0            6            118            247