MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Matthew C. Perry High School boys basketball team, the Samurai, worked up a sweat against their fierce competitors, the Yokota Panthers, with a final score of 85 to 77 at the M.C. Perry High School gym here Saturday.
During the first quarter, the ball was back and forth between teams. Both teams had a good defense.
With the first quarter over, the score was 17 to 14 with the Samurai in the lead.
In the second quarter, the Panthers scored several points and took the lead.
The Panthers maintained a 40 to 39 lead ending the first half.
“Yokota is a good team with a strong inside play,” said Samurai head coach, Dewayne Pigge.
After the players were rested, the second half started off strong.
The Samurai took the lead and ended the third quarter 53-50.
“It was a very close game, both teams fought hard,” said John Ayers Sr., Samurai’s assistant coach.
With only seconds left on the clock, Samurai guard John Ayers Jr., dribbled his way to the center of the court, passed the ball to Jake Portillo, Samurai center, who weaved past the Panthers defense completing a layup and scoring two points bringing the final score 68 to 68 as the buzzer sounded.
With the score tied and no time left, both teams were headed to overtime.
Before overtime even began, the players of both teams were worn out and dripping with sweat.
Drenched, the players ran back and forth trying to become victorious.
Even though they are played longer than they were expecting to, the determination in the eyes of each player showed they will not give up.
In the end, the Samurai could not set up enough defense to keep the Panthers from scoring.
The Panthers out-maneuvered the Samurai and won the game, 85 to 77.
Until the end of the season, with the way the Samurai have been playing, they are determined to be a better team.