KAPA’A — It was a game of runs and Waimea (1-0) held off a late Kapa’a (0-1) run for the 46-45 victory last night in the KIF’s basketball opener at the Bernice Hundley Gymnasium. The Menehune jumped ahead with a
KAPA’A — It was a game of runs and Waimea (1-0) held off a late Kapa’a (0-1) run for the 46-45 victory last night in the KIF’s basketball opener at the Bernice Hundley Gymnasium.
The Menehune jumped ahead with a 10-0 first quarter lead, thanks to sharp-shooting by Brendan McDaniels, who led Waimea with 16 points.
The Warriors were unable to score until the 6:40 mark in the second quarter on a three-pointer by Nate Beralas.
That bucket ignited a Kapa’a run, which kept them in the contest, but the Menehune still held the 18-12 advantage at the half.
McDaniels tallied 10 first half points and Beralas led the Warriors with four points. Kapa’a opened up the second half the same way they ended the first half — with lots of intensity.
Greg Ragsac nailed a free throw for the first tie of the game (22-22) at the 3:30 mark in the third quarter.
Teammate Junnel Calpito caught fire and scored five straight points, which handed the Warriors the 34-29 lead at the end of the third period.
However, the Menehune stormed back, as Chad Barba converted two layins with just under four minutes to go, which gave Waimea the 44-38 advantage. Ragsac’s steal and lay-up with 40 seconds on the clock put Kapa’a down by only two points (44-42), but a last second three pointer climbed in and out of the cylinder, giving Waimea the 46-45 win.
Besides McDaniels’ 16, Waimea was paced by Chris Newcomb (12) and Barba (9). Kapa’a’s Calpito had a game-high 17 points and Ragsac followed with 13 points.
In the JV contest, Waimea squeaked by Kapa’a, 45-43, behind Clareson Torres’ 14 points. David Mendes led Kapa’a with 18 markers.
KIF basketball bounces to the Raiderdome on Friday, with Kaua’i battling Kapa’a, starting at 5:30 p.m.
