The American Samoa High School Athletic Association (ASHSAA) sports season continues to roll along this school year, and while the Boys Basketball season just concluded,  the Girls Basketball and Boys Baseball seasons are just beginning.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Tafuna High School Warriors boys varsity basketball team was able to come back from a sub-par regular season and make it to the ASHSAA Boys Varsity basketball championship finals this past Friday where they met the top seeded Fa’asao Marist Crusaders.

Coming into the championship finals seeded at the #3 spot, the Warriors had already been defeated by the Crusaders in their two previous match-ups during the regular season, and with the game being played on the Crusaders home turf, the odds were stacked against the Warriors.

Led by head coach Forest Duldulao, this was not the Warriors' first trip to the final dance of the season. They were able to use some of that past experience and pull out the win when it counted the most, as they were able to stop the top seeded Crusaders for the first time this season with a 58-44 victory.

“It was a great game on both sides and I could not be prouder of the young men that I coach,” said Duldulao. “They stayed strong throughout all they were dealt with during the season, and kept working hard. Coach Diehl Langkilde and the Fa’asao Marist Crusaders played a really, really great game.”

“Our coaching staff at Tafuna: Allen Fuimaono and Coach Milton Taufasau could not be prouder. Thank you to all of the supporters who stood by us throughout this season,” he said.

Most Valuable Player award for the championship game went to Warrior Lyle Siu, while his twin brother and teammate Lynel earned the Most Valuable Player of the season award.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Tomorrow, March 10, the ASHSAA girls basketball season is set to begin. In the varsity division, there was no clear cut champions, due to last year's season being cut short after the outbreak of Pink Eye. However, at that time, the Warriors had the only undefeated record and will be out to keep their streak alive this season.

On opening day tomorrow, the Fa’asao Marist Cougars will be hosting the Nu’uuli VocTech Wildcats with a scheduled starting time of 4:00 p.m. In the junior varsity division, the Cougars will be trying to defend their championship title as they will be playing in the opening junior varsity game at the Malaeloa gymnasium this coming Thursday, March 12 against the Leone Lions, starting at 4:00 p.m.

BASEBALL

Baseball season is upon us, and the Crusaders — who have a long history of being the top team — have taken to the field this season with one goal in mind, and that is to stay on top of the other teams, something which they have done well throughout the years.

All games are played at the Tony Solaita Baseball Field with the next set for tomorrow, that will have the Samoana Sharks taking on the Crusaders with a scheduled starting time of 4:00 p.m.

Samoa News will be following this year's ASHSAA sports season with updates all season, so keep reading. Please note that times, teams and locations are subject to change without notice to Samoa News.