KALAHEO — Vakeesha Lagazo had 9 points and Cheyanne Duarte netted 8 points to lead the Kaulupono Girls to a 24-18 edge over a tenacious Lihu‘e Kamakaze squad Thursday.
“If I knew they had basketball, I would’ve started playing earlier,” said Duarte, following their win on a very physical court at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center. “Vakeesha has been playing for many years which is why she’s so good.”
Lagazo, one of the players in the county’s 13 and Under community girls league, modestly admitted that she started playing when she was 6 years old.
That was only one factor helping Kaulupono Girls in their win that gives them a 1-1 showing in the league.
“We were tied 12-12 against the Gee’s Angels, but we ended up losing,” Duarte said.
Earlier in the evening, the Angels wrapped up a 36-13 showing over Island Heat behind a dozen points from guard Kristle Henry and 10 points from Mahea Hanie-Grace to take a 2-0 standing.
Jennifer Grady paced the Heat’s showing with 9 points followed by Makana Fujimoto’s 3 points and a digit from Teesha Tani for the team coached by Ron Peeren.
The Heat will meet up with the Kamakaze, coached by Kevin Hanano next Thursday in the third of three games scheduled for the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Following the two scoring leaders for the Angels, Joy Claypoole, Racquel Matayoshi and Reggie McCabe each put in 4 points with a pair from inside post Lauren Claypoole rounding out the math in the first of three games played on the Kalaheo concrete.
Following the lead of Lagazo and Duarte, Kaulupono Girls got pairs from Rea Pictado, Nicolei Banasihan and Krysta Kali who played solid defense against the strengths of Kamakaze power girls Bristy-Ann Agu and Lacey Lucas.
Kawehi Louis-Diamond was all over the floor and paced the Kamakaze showing with 7 points followed by Agu’s 5-point contribution. Lucas finished with 3 points, Lauren Hanano added a pair and a digit from Kawai Calderon closed the books on Game 2.
Rachel Hinkle came off the bench to score a game-high 18 points and Paulette Guerro and Kanoe Kuwabara each tucked in 6 points to lead the Kilauea Hui to a 40-26 win over Wailua who got some cheering support from the Kaulupono Girls following their win.
Kekai Gonsalves finished with 13 points to lead Wailua followed by Katelina Fifita netting 6 points, Cortney Higa adding 4 points, Cheyenne Abigania finishing with a pair and a digit from Kehau Relacion rounding out the effort.
Following the Hui leaders, Crystal Tangalin and Carla Tuzon each netted 4 points and a pair from Hina Keala rounded out the night.
Six teams make up the county’s 13 and Under girls league which opened its season Jan. 3 and will play on Thursdays and Saturdays through Feb. 14.
All games are played through a six-period running time format.
