Kadena's Kent Bissell and St. Mary's Noah Brooks go after the ball. (Photo by Cynthia Abel/Special to Stripes)
TOKYO – Jaden Patsel seems to have the ball in his hands whenever Kadena’s boys basketball team needs a clutch shot.
The senior guard worked his magic in back-to-back games Saturday, lifting the Panthers past Nile C. Kinnick in the semifinals, then over St. Mary’s in the championship and giving Kadena a long-sought title in the American School In Japan Kanto Classic.
“I live for these moments,” said Patsel, who missed the latter part of last season with a severe knee injury. “I want the ball in my hands, to get the shot for my team.” Patsel’s baseline driving layup with 3 seconds left gave Kadena a 57-55 semifinal win over the two-time defending Far East Division I Tournament champion Red Devils.
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