McKinley lost to Roosevelt at McKinley’s gymnasium on Wednesday night Jan. 8, a close game of 52-54.

Coach Duane Omori said that McKinley’s strength was their quickness, quick buckets and toughness. The team has to work on is their focus and regrouping, but they finish the game off strong.

Omori said that Roosevelt was similar but they had good guard and they shot the ball well. Omori also said that Roosevelt had scrappy players and that they play well together (have good chemistry).

Tigers scored in the first three seconds of the game. The crowd cheered the Tigers on. Despite the Tigers’ efforts in starting off strong, Roosevelt lead the first quarter with six points, the score 18-12.

At half time, Roosevelt was still leading by six points, the score 33-27.

With a free throw, Joramae Otarra  tied the game 35-35 in the third quarter. The Tigers lead with 2 points which was 41-39. The tigers ended the third quarter of the game by leading with four points. The score was 43-39.

The crowd was filled with energy as the two teams made their way into the fourth quarter.

Roosevelt caught up in the fourth quarter with two lay ups. From there, the score began to seesaw a bit. The Tigers took the lead again when there were five minutes left in fourth quarter with a pass from Roosevelt to Tigers. Then Roosevelt took the lead again, the score was 50-49. Next, Dan Villejo lead the Tigers to 51-50 with two free throws. In the end Roosevelt took lead again, 52-51 by making two free throws.  Tigers lost a close game with the score of 52-54.