(Scores and statistics at end of story)

Just when all appeared lost Friday, Lynnette Grant carried Taegu American to its first Far East High School Girls Class A Basketball Tournament title.

The senior forward scored eight of her game-high 17 points in the fourth quarter as the Warriors rallied from a 25-16 third-quarter deficit to defeat Faith Academy 38-28.

“When that No. 23 steps up, you can’t stop her,” coach Michelle Chandler said of Grant, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

In the Warriors’ previous trip to the final, they lost 44-22 to Osan American in 2001.

Faith needed to beat Taegu twice in the double-elimination playoffs to claim the crown. But for the second straight day, Grant dominated. The Vanguards led 37-31 in Thursday’s winner’s bracket final. Then Grant scored eight of her 23 points in overtime to power Taegu over Faith 45-43.

“It’s almost as if she waits” until the Warriors seem hopelessly behind, Faith coach Dan Beaver said. “We shut her down for three quarters. But when crunch time comes, she takes over.”

Forty-two seconds into the third quarter Sung-shil Kim hit the a three-pointer to put the Vanguards ahead 22-14, but the Warriors slowly chipped away. Grant scored seven straight to pull Taegu to 25-23, then freshman Sarah Scott tied it with two foul shots.

Scott finished with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Grant put the Warriors ahead to stay 29-27 with 5:20 left. With senior Kelli Cox fouling out, Faith hit one of two foul shots to seemingly remain alive with 2:20 left. But Scott hit two backdoor buckets; Grant provided the exclamation point with a layup with 30 seconds remaining.

“It feels great,” Chandler said, adding she was especially thrilled for her “core” group of Grant, Cox and fellow senior Michelle Weal. “They’ve worked hard. This is the beautiful part, to see what they’ve accomplished.”

Seoul American boys, girls reach Class AA championshipsFor the first time in school history, the Seoul American boys and girls reached the Class AA title games in the same season.

Jamaal Mohn scored 21 points, and in the middle two quarters of a 77-62 semifinal triumph the Falcons boys outscored host and defending champion Kadena 43-25. The host and defending champion Falcons girls thrashed Hong Kong International 69-36 in their semifinal.

“They have just begun to tap what they’re capable of. … I see us going all the way. Everything is in control,” Falcons girls coach Charlotte Hicks said.

It’s the ninth straight year the host girls team has reached the final. In the other semifinal, the Falcons were to face Kadena, which outlasted Christian Academy In Japan 51-49 in overtime.

“Kadena had a wakeup call and … had to work hard,” Hicks said, adding that the teams’ height and quickness are comparable. “It’s going to be a good game.”

Falcons boys coach Steve Boyd made it to a Class AA final for the fourth time in his career but the first time on the road.

After a slugging pool-play performance the tournament’s first two days, Seoul American nailed a round-of-16 win over Guam High on Wednesday.

“Ever since then, we’ve been improving and I expect us to play as well as we can” on Saturday against Yokota, Boyd said. Yokota made it to its second straight final by beating Zama American 61-56.

“Hard to believe,” coach Paul Ettl said of a squad unbeaten since three December losses at Misawa Air Base, Japan.

Of making amends for 2005’s championship loss to Kadena, Ettl said: “We have some things to take care of. Our kids will play hard. Our chances are good.”

Vanguards boys net second straight Class A crownWhile Faith’s girls fell to defeat for the second straight year, the boys captured their second consecutive Class A title at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan.

Kirk Long earned MVP honors for a second time, and Mike Ward scored 14 points as the Vanguards defeated St. Paul Christian of Guam once more 50-32.

Scoreboard(Jump ahead to Girls Class AA, Boys Class A, Boys Class AA)

Girls Class A tournament

At Kelly Fitness & Sports Center, Camp Walker, and Taegu American School, Camp George, South Korea

Double-elimination playoffs

Wednesday’s games

Game 1-Osan American, South Korea, 39, Int’l Christian-Uijongbu, South Korea, 18

Game 2-E.J. King, Japan, 40, Robert D. Edgren, Japan, 27

Game 3-Matthew C. Perry, Japan, 52, International Christian-Seoul 34

Game 4-St. Paul Christian, Guam, 51, Pusan American, South Korea, 1

Game 5-Morrison Christian Academy, Taiwan, 50, Osan American 25

Game 6-Faith Academy, Philippines, 44, E.J. King 27

Game 7-Taegu American, South Korea, 52, Matthew C. Perry 23

Game 8-St. Paul 42, International School of the Sacred Heart, Japan, 35

Thursday’s games

Game 9-E.J. King 50, ICS-Seoul 43; ICS-Seoul eliminated

Game 10-Sacred Heart 49, ICS-Uijongbu 7; ICS-Uijongbu eliminated

Game 11-M.C. Perry 42, Edgren 37; Edgren eliminated

Game 12-Osan American 43, Pusan American 11; Pusan American eliminated

Game 13-Taegu American 44, Morrison 40

Game 14-Faith 49, St. Paul 44

Game 15-Osan American 49, M.C. Perry 47; M.C. Perry eliminated

Game 16-Sacred Heart 44, E.J. King 28; E.J. King eliminated

Game 17-St. Paul 47, Osan American 24; Osan American eliminated

Game 18-Sacred Heart 49, Morrison 45; Morrison eliminated

Game 19-Taegu American 45, Faith 43 (OT)

Friday’s games

Game 20-St. Paul 49, Sacred Heart 43; Sacred Heart eliminated

Game 21-Faith 37, St. Paul 18; St. Paul eliminated

Game 22-Taegu American 38, Faith 28; Faith eliminated

Awards

Most Valuable Player-Lynnette Grant, Taegu American.

All-Tournament team-Lynette Grant (three-time selection), Kelli Cox (two-time selection), Taegu American; Leyna Arbour (two-time selection, International School of the Sacred Heart; Kristia Suriben (two-time selection), Yudia Johnson, E.J. King; Heather Craker (two-time selection), Vicki Tai, Morrison Christian Academy; Gerralyn Calhoun, Robert D. Edgren; Janel Long, Crystal Ballentyne, Kelly Youngman, Faith Academy; Alyssa Tomada, Sheryl Padilla, St. Paul Christian; Cristina Sindac, Matthew C. Perry.

Friday’s summaries

St. Paul 49, Sacred Heart 43

St. Paul.....12 5 21 11-49

ISSH.....6 16 12 9-43

Leading scorers-St. Paul Christian, Lani Manalo 15 (3 three-point goals), Alyssa Tomada 13; International School of the Sacred Heart, Leyna Arbour 20 (10 second quarter).

Faith 37, St. Paul 18

St. Paul.....5 4 2 7-18

Faith.....12 4 12 9-37

Leading scorers-Faith Academy, Kelly Youngman 14 (10-for-13 foul line), Charis Jones 12; St. Paul Christian, Lani Manalo 6.

Championship

Taegu American 38, Faith 28

Faith.....10 7 8 3-28

Taegu.....8 6 11 13-38

Leading scorers-Taegu American, Lynnette Grant 17 (8 fourth quarter), Sarah Scott 12; Faith Academy, Kelly Youngman 15, Sung-shil Kim 9 (3 three-point goals). Noteworthy-Warriors outshot Vanguards 28-18 percent, 31-16 percent in second half.

Girls Class AA tournament

At Collier Field House and Falcon Gym, Seoul American High School, South Post, Yongsan Garrison, South Korea

Single-elimination playoffs

Thursday’s games

Game 1-Nile C. Kinnick, Japan, 60, Guam High 40

Game 2-Zama American, Japan, 44, Seisen International, Japan, 22

Game 3-Hong Kong International 61, Southern, Guam, 37

Game 4-Christian Academy In Japan 47, Seoul American junior varsity 16

Game 5-Yokota, Japan, 46, John F. Kennedy, Guam, 34

Game 6-Kubasaki, Okinawa, 40, American School In Japan 35

Game 15-Guam High 31, Seisen Int’l 26

Game 16-John F. Kennedy 41, Seoul American JV 27

Friday’s games

Game 7-Seoul American 52, Kinnick 48

Game 8-Hong Kong Int’l 44, Zama 28

Game 9-CAJ 47, Yokota 28

Game 10-Kadena 38, Kubasaki 16

Game 11-Seoul American 69, Hong Kong Int’l 36

Game 12-Kadena 51, CAJ 49 (OT)

Game 17-Kinnick 51, Zama 48

Game 18-Guam High 43, ASIJ 41

Game 19-John F. Kennedy 42, Southern 39

Game 20-Kubasaki 36, Yokota 35

Game 21-Kinnick 54, Guam High 42

Game 22-John F. Kennedy 37, Kubasaki 35

Saturday’s games

Game 23-Kinnick vs. John F. Kennedy (fifth place)

Game 13-Hong Kong Int’l vs. CAJ (third place)

Game 14-Seoul American vs. Kadena (championship)

Friday’s summaries

Seoul American 52, Kinnick 48

Kinnick.....13 9 10 16-48

Seoul.....7 18 15 12-52

Leading scorers-Seoul American, Margaret Nurse 21, Erica Anglade 10; Nile C. Kinnick, Lualhati Johnson 19.

Hong Kong Int’l 44, Zama 28

Hong Kong.....11 11 10 12-44

Zama.....4 9 9 6-28

Leading scorers-Hong Kong International, Lauren Hsu 14, Ramona Pascual 12; Zama American, Tiffani Wright 16.

CAJ 47, Yokota 28

Yokota.....4 10 6 8-28

CAJ.....10 11 10 15-47

Leading scorers-Christian Academy In Japan, Kelsey Masuda 16, Jolena Spalink 10; Yokota, Chyna Roach 10.

Kadena 38, Kubasaki 16

Kubasaki.....5 7 3 1-16

Kadena.....12 14 6 6-38

Leading scorers-Kadena, Elizabeth Cotto 8; Kubasaki, Kelly Robinson 6. Noteworthy-Fifth victory in six meetings this season for Panthers over Dragons.

Semifinals

Seoul American 69, Hong Kong Int’l 36

Hong Kong.....10 11 10 5-36

Seoul.....15 21 22 11-69

Leading scorers-Seoul American, Margaret Nurse 18, Erica Anglade 14, Avianca Manning 10; Hong Kong International, Lauren Hsu 14.

Kadena 51, CAJ (OT)

Kadena.....13 8 9 15 6-51

CAJ.....14 6 10 15 4-49

Leading scorers-Kadena, Zori Drew 24, Dianne Abel 10; Christian Academy In Japan, Kelsey Masuda 19, Kelsey Hardeman 12.

Consolation

Kinnick 51, Zama 48

Kinnick.....20 13 12 6-51

Zama.....8 11 12 17-48

Leading scorers-Nile C. Kinnick, Sarah Greenert 17, Lualhati Johnson 12; Zama American, Tiffani Wright 23.

Guam High 43, ASIJ 41

Guam High.....10 16 10 7-43

ASIJ.....6 14 8 13-41

Leading scorers-Guam High, Christina Sheaks 26; American School In Japan, Erin Morris 17, Adienne Hughes 10.

John F. Kennedy 42, Southern 39

Southern.....12 3 12 12-39

JFK.....10 9 11 12-42

Leading scorers-John F. Kennedy, Catherine Aquinde 12, Lily Baranda 10; Southern, Mayann Pajaro 17.

Kubasaki 36, Yokota 35

Kubasaki.....6 9 7 14-36

Yokota.....10 9 7 9-35

Leading scorers-Kubasaki, Kyera Tennyson 10; Yokota, Chyna Roach 10.

Kinnick 54, Guam High 42

Kinnick.....17 10 11 16-54

Guam High.....12 6 12 12-42

Leading scorers-Nile C. Kinnick, Lualhati Johnson 19, Sarah Greenert 12; Guam High, Christina Sheaks 16, Keonna Jukes 13.

John F. Kennedy 37, Kubasaki 35

Kubasaki.....1 13 8 13-35

JFK.....15 6 9 7-37

Leading scorers-John F. Kennedy, Lily Baranda 12; Kubasaki, Kyera Tennyson 10, Kelly Robinson 10.

Boys Class A tournament

At Ironworks Fitness & Sports Center, Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station, Japan

Double-elimination playoffs

Wednesday’s games

Game 1-Taegu American, South Korea, 65, Matthew C. Perry, Japan, 57

Game 2-E.J. King, Japan, 45, International Christian-Uijongbu, South Korea, 29

Game 3-International Christian-Seoul, 49, Osan American, South Korea, 44

Game 4-Robert D. Edgren, Japan, 86, Pusan American, South Korea, 30

Game 5-Faith Academy, Philippines, 64, Taegu American 35

Game 6-St. Paul Christian, Guam, 49, E.J. King 34

Game 7-Osan American 52, ICS-Uijongbu 33; ICS-Uijongbu eliminated

Game 8-M.C. Perry 70, Pusan American 47; Pusan American eliminated

Game 9-Osan American 59, Taegu American 45; Taegu American eliminated

Game 10-M.C. Perry 54, E.J. King 44; E.J. King eliminated

Game 11-Faith 61, ICS-Seoul 40

Game 12-St. Paul 64, Edgren 41

Thursday’s games

Game 13-ICS-Seoul 63, M.C. Perry 58 (OT); M.C. Perry eliminated

Game 14-Edgren 69, Osan American 56; Osan American eliminated

Game 15-Faith 62, St. Paul 50

Game 16-Edgren 68, ICS-Seoul 29; ICS-Seoul eliminated

Game 17-St. Paul 68, Edgren 60; Edgren eliminated

Friday’s games

Game 18-Faith 50, St. Paul 32; St. Paul eliminated

Awards

Most Valuable Player-Kirk Long, Faith Academy (two-time selection).

Team Sportsmanship Award-Faith Academy.

All-Tournament team-James Edwards (four-time selection), Kirk Long (two-time selection), Mike Ward, Faith Academy; Corey Black, Osan American; Tony Thacker, Tyler Smith, St. Paul Christian; Shamar Riddick, Robert D. Edgren; Ryan Marshall, Matthew C. Perry; Joseph Choi, International Christian-Seoul; Will Galbreth, Taegu American.

Friday’s summary

Championship

Faith 50, St. Paul 32

St. Paul.....12 4 10 6-32

Faith.....12 10 16 12-50

Leading scorers-Faith Academy, Mike Ward 14; St. Paul Christian, Tony Thacker 15.

Boys Class AA tournament

At Falcon Gym and Kadena High School, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa

Single-elimination playoffs

Wednesday’s games

Game 1-Nile C. Kinnick, Japan, 70, John F. Kennedy, Guam, 44

Game 2-Zama American, Japan, 76, Southern, Guam, 51

Game 3-Morrison Christian Academy, Taiwan, 44, St. Mary's International, Japan, 38

Game 4-Yokota, Japan, 60, Christian Academy In Japan 46

Game 5-Seoul American 60, Guam High 50

Game 6-Hong Kong International 57, Father Duenas Memorial, Guam, 48

Game 7-Kadena, Okinawa, 62, American School In Japan 41

Game 8-Kubasaki, Okinawa, 77, Simon Sanchez, Guam, 44

Thursday’s games

Game 9-Southern 54, John F. Kennedy 52

Game 10-St. Mary’s 44, CAJ 37

Game 11-Father Duenas 46, Guam High 34

Game 12-ASIJ 54, Simon Sanchez 46

Game 13-Zama 58, Kinnick 50

Game 14-Yokota 55, Morrison 52

Game 15-Seoul American 78, Hong Kong International 65

Game 16-Kadena 61, Kubasaki 55

Game 17-Southern 92, Kubasaki 70

Game 18-St. Mary’s 45, Hong Kong Int’l 39

Game 19-Morrison 53, Father Duenas 48

Game 20-Kinnick 58, ASIJ 46

Friday’s games

Game 21-John F. Kennedy 45, ASIJ 43

Game 22-Father Duenas 54, CAJ 44

Game 23-Hong Kong Int’l 64, Guam High 49

Game 24-Kubasaki 62, Simon Sanchez 45

Game 25-John F. Kennedy 35, Father Duenas 33

Game 26-Hong Kong Int’l 67, Kubasaki 59

Game 27-St. Mary’s 56, Southern 39

Game 28-Morrison 67, Kinnick 62

Game 29-Yokota 61, Zama 56

Game 30-Seoul American 77, Kadena 62

Saturday’s games

Game 31-Hong Kong Int’l vs. John F. Kennedy (ninth place)

Game 32-Southern vs. Kinnick (seventh place)

Game 33-St. Mary’s vs. Morrison (fifth place)

Game 34-Kadena vs. Zama (third place)

Game 35-Seoul American vs. Yokota (championship)

Friday’s summaries

Semifinals

Yokota 61, Zama 56

Yokota.....9 25 14 13-61

Zama.....19 12 17 8-56

Leading scorers-Yokota, Cameron Cooper 21, Caiveon Thomas 17; Zama American, Wilberto Badillo 22, Carlos Walter 14.

Seoul American 77, Kadena 62

Kadena.....15 13 12 22-62

Seoul.....18 20 23 16-77

Leading scorers-Seoul American, Jamaal Mohn 21, Tyras Milner 11, Chris Baker 10; Kadena, Jamil Barney 14, Alex Mierzejewski 11, Shmarua Phelps 10.

Consolation

John F. Kennedy 45, ASIJ 43

ASIJ.....10 11 10 12-43

JFK.....12 4 17 12-45

Leading scorers-John F. Kennedy, Merwin Martin 13; American School In Japan, Tomo Takazawa 13, Kahn Fukui 11.

St. Mary’s 56, Southern 39

St. Mary’s.....19 19 2 16-56

Southern.....11 9 8 11-39

Leading scorers-St. Mary’s International, Tobi Taniguchi 22, David Willis 15; Southern, three players with 8 points each.

Father Duenas 54, CAJ 44

Father Duenas.....8 19 12 15-54

CAJ.....7 11 12 14-44

Leading scorers-Father Duenas Memorial, Jude Martinez 17; Christian Academy In Japan, Jon Wood 11.

Hong Kong International 64, Guam High 49

Hong Kong.....17 20 7 20-64

Guam High.....2 6 17 24-49

Leading scorers-Hong Kong International, David Mock 23, T.J. Gavlik 18; Guam High, Anthony Williams 13, Brandon Buford 12.

Morrison 67, Kinnick 62

Morrison.....17 15 17 18-67

Kinnick.....12 12 9 29-62

Kubasaki 62, Simon Sanchez 45

Kubasaki.....14 19 13 16-62

Sanchez.....21 21 1 2-45

Leading scorers-Kubasaki, Vance Maxey 15, Steven Ellis 14.

John F. Kennedy 35, Father Duenas 33

Father Duenas.....5 10 11 7-33

JFK.....7 3 15 10-35

Leading scorers-John F. Kennedy, Jerry Torres 8; Father Duenas Memorial, Paul Manglona 9.

Hong Kong International 67, Kubasaki 59

Hong Kong.....16 23 20 8-67

Kubasaki.....9 14 15 21-59

Leading scorers-Hong Kong International, Ian Horford 20, T.J. Gavlik 14; Kubasaki, Vance Maxey 28, Quinton Mason 14.

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