Jason SumpterBasketball

Kadena, Okinawa

Dec. 14-22: Sumptera averaged 17.7 points and 14.5 rebounds per game as the Panthers won seven of eight, including a 6-1 ledger at the New Year Classic at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. Kadena extended the best start on coach Robert Bliss’ watch to 18-1.

Four of the victories have come against Kubasaki, Kadena’s chief rival. Sumpter, a junior, had 14 points as the Panthers beat the Dragons 63-58 on Dec. 16. In the New Year Classic, Sumpter scored 20 points, 12 in the first half, and grabbed 16 rebounds as Kadena outlasted host Nile C. Kinnick 71-67 in the championship game.

Sumpter was named MVP of the tournament despite what Bliss called "struggling" early. "It was nice for him to come through in the last game," Bliss said.

Erika EttlBasketballYokota, Japan

Dec. 14-22: Ettl averaged 25.5 points per game as the Panthers won two Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools games to enter the holiday break at 4-3 overall on the season, after opening with three straight defeats.

Ettl, a sophomore point guard and team captain, scored 27 points in Yokota’s 58-45 home victory Dec. 15 over Seisen International. Two nights later, she played her "best game of the season," coach Ric Cabral said of Ettl’s 24-point, 8-rebound, 6-steal and 7-assist performance in a 44-34 win over Zama American at Naval Air Facility Atsugi.

"She’s a very unselfish ballplayer who elevates her teammates’ level of play by encouraging them every day in practice to play hard and have confidence," Cabral said.

Selected by Stars and Stripes staff

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