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YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — No Destinee’ Harrison? No Diamond Person? No problem for Seoul American’s girls basketball team.

Senior Devanee’ Taylor and sophomore Liz Gleaves each played what coach Billy Ratcliff termed "monster" games and the Falcons pulled away with a 23-9 third quarter and romped 59-25 at home over Seoul Foreign on Friday.

Meanwhile, Joe McLean’s 16 points led four players in double figures as the Falcons boys parlayed a big third quarter into a 65-51 triumph.

Seoul American’s boys (28-9 overall, 13-0 league) took command of the chase for the Korean-American Interscholastic Activities Council title. Seoul Foreign fell to 14-2, 7-2. On the girls’ side, the Falcons improved to 18-1 and 11-0 and lead Osan American (8-2) by 2½ games.

"It’s nice to have good athletes and basketball players," said Ratcliff, whose Falcons are chasing a 17th straight KAIAC title. "I’m proud of them."

Taylor posted 22 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals and three blocks and Gleaves 15 points, seven rebounds, six steals, six assists and three blocks as the Falcons overcame the absence of Harrison (ankle injury) and Person (undisclosed reasons).

Taylor was "mammoth on defense," Ratcliff said. "She was all over the floor, diving on loose balls, hitting the boards. And Liz, she’s incredible. She has such athletic ability."

The Falcons’ play personifies the team ethic that Ratcliff says he preaches constantly. "It’s a good, all-around, unselfish team," he said. "We’re playing more team-oriented ball. … Nothing fancy. No pressure. Just basic basketball, full-court, man-to-man."

Brittney Rader’s 13 points paced the Crusaders.

The Falcons boys took charge by outscoring the Crusaders 22-6 in the third quarter. Seoul Foreign staged a brief rally, but faded down the stretch.

Falcons boys coach Steve Boyd said he was "surprised that SFS didn’t shoot better" early on in the contest.

"But when you look at the rebounds, that explains a lot. That was the difference," he said of a Falcons team that had three players rebounding in double figures. "We hit the boards really well. We cleaned the boards."

McLean had 15 rebounds, Willie Brown 14 points and 11 rebounds, RaiDion Fails 10 points and seven boards, Eric Williams 10 points and 10 rebounds, Marcus Thompson nine rebounds and five assists and Johnnie Hickson six assists.

Three players scored in double figures for the Crusaders, Gal Tesler (15), Aaron Kearney (12) and Chris Oak (10).

Though clearly in charge of the chase for at least a share of his eighth straight KAIAC title, Boyd said much remains to be done, including a rematch at Seoul Foreign on Feb. 4.

"We just want to go ahead and take care of business," Boyd said.

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