KALAHEO – Maui Na Wahine under the direction of coach Steven Kramer went undefeated to claim the title at the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association (KYBA)/County 8-team invitational basketball tournament for girls 14 and Under. With Ofa Namoa leading the way
KALAHEO – Maui Na Wahine under the direction of coach Steven Kramer went undefeated to claim the title at the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association (KYBA)/County 8-team invitational basketball tournament for girls 14 and Under.
With Ofa Namoa leading the way netting double-digit scores in all three of their games, the Maui squad also laid claim to the tourney’s most outstanding team that was awarded by the tournament officials following the three-day good-will tournament played at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Namoa came off the bench on opening night to lead Na Wahine to a 43-16 victory over the Kaua‘i Fire Raiders, the tall girl netting 16 points in that victory.
On Friday night, Namoa again came off the bench to lead Na Wahine with 16 points in their 37-16 showing over the Waimea “B” squad.
In their fiercest match against the Lihu‘e Comets on Saturday, Namoa finished with 14 points as Na Wahine edged the Comets, 38-30 for the championship.
That victory handed the Comets their only blemish in the tournament after the Lihu‘e girls bested the Waimea “A” team, 26-12 on Friday night behind the balanced scoring of Kelsey Cadiente, Jondi Das, and Kathleen Cadiente, Kelsey leading with six points followed by Das and Kathleen who each finished with five points.
In their championship matchup, Das took the lead to finish with 11 points.
The “eighth graders,” as affectionately labelled by other players, Waimea “B” settled in the third place slot with a 28-27 bulge over their “JV” counterparts, the Waimea “A.”
Aiko Grande finished with seven points to lead the “B” girls while Natalie Mata finished with 10 points to lead the “A” team, both squads coached by Bobby Kamakele and an able staff of assistants.
The Kona Tigers with coach Terry Takata at the helm captured the consolation title with a 22-12 win over the Kaua‘i Fire Raiders, the Tigers being led by Kimberly Brown who finished with nine points.
Jamilee Jimenez finished with a dozen points to lead the Fire Raiders.
Lynsi Nakamura and Kira Nakamura each finished with six points to lead Wailua to a 25-8 showing over the Gee’s Angels who got four points from Arrisa Thronas, the spectators noting that the oldest player for the Angels was only 13 years old.
In addition to the outstanding team, tournament officials also awarded outstanding players which included three from Na Wahine, three from the Comets, and one each from each of the participating teams.
Namoa led the list for Na Wahine followed by Leah Hashimoto, and Kaitlin Dela Cruz. Comet players included Sanoe Keliinoi, Mai‘lika Napoleon, and Das.
Mata was the outstanding player for Waimea “A,” Sera Pascual was named outstanding for Waimea “B,” Brown picked up the honor for Kona, Jimenez headed the Kaua‘i Fire Raiders, Kira Nakamura got the nod from Wailua, and Thronas was named the outstanding Gee’s Angel.
Karen Matsumoto of the KYBA and Clyde Vito of the county did a commendable job of coordinating the 14 and Under girls tournament with the Kona Tigers going beyond the normal tournament schedule to interact with the Kapa‘a and Kaua‘i high school JV squads in addition to their tournament games.
Following the awards and potluck Saturday evening, the Tigers were hosted to a night of bowling at the Lihu‘e Bowling Center by the Kaua‘i High School JV girls team.
