KAPA’A — The bitter taste Kaua’i felt last night came via a 51-43 upset loss to Kapa’a, who won for the first time in three years. The win also spoiled the Red Raiders’ bid for a first-round title and handed
KAPA’A — The bitter taste Kaua’i felt last night came via a 51-43 upset loss to Kapa’a, who won for the first time in three years.
The win also spoiled the Red Raiders’ bid for a first-round title and handed the Menehune, who were in attendance, the KIF first- round championship.
Last night was the Mike Lindsey show, as the senior center controlled the paint for numerous boards and a game-high 18 points.
Kapa’a came out of the gates with more intensity than Kaua’i, en route to an 18-6 run to start the contest.
However, the Red Raiders scratched back, thanks to sophomore Tyrus Ceria-Lux, who scored seven straight points, which kept Kaua’i close at 18-11, with just under six minutes to go in the first half.
Kaua’i senior guard Josh Bradbury buried a trey, but Kapa’a senior guard Greg Ragsac answered with a bucket, while being fouled for the unconventional three-point play, after he sunk the free throw, with 40 seconds on the clock.
Bradbury swished another trifecta as the buzzer sounded, with Kapa’a up 28-26 at the midpoint of the game.
Kapa’a controlled the second half and stayed ahead of the Red Raiders, with a 38-32 lead at the end of three quarters of play.
Lindsey closed the contest out with crucial free-throws, which put Kaua’i away for good.
Ragsac (12) and Nate Beralas (11) combined for 23 points, and Junnel Calpito added eight points.
For Kaua’i, Bradbury ended up with a game-high 18 points, which included two three-point bombs and Ceria-Lux chipped in with 15 points off of three triples.
Kaua’i dropped to 1-2 and Kapa’a improved to 1-2, with Waimea taking the first round crown at 3-0, with just one game to go in the first round.
In the JV contest, Kaua’i came up with its first win of the season, thanks to 17 points from Micah Alayvilla in the 63-52 victory. Teila Huni added 14 for the Red Raiders.
Kekoa Prem and David Mendez each scored 16 points for the Warriors, who dropped to 2-2. Kaua’i has a 1-2 record and Waimea sits at 2-1.
The first round KIF basketball finale is between Kaua’i and Waimea at the Raiderdome.
The JV contest starts the festivities off at 5:30 p.m., with the varsity game beginning 20 minutes after the completion of the JV match.
