KALAHEO — Elisa Inouye launched a three-ball with less than 30 seconds on the clock to pull F-N-G into the winner’s circle, Thursday night. Erin Garlie iced the 27-23 F-N-G win with a bucket at the two-second mark over the
KALAHEO — Elisa Inouye launched a three-ball with less than 30 seconds on the clock to pull F-N-G into the winner’s circle, Thursday night.
Erin Garlie iced the 27-23 F-N-G win with a bucket at the two-second mark over the Kilauea Hui in one of two Girls 18 and Over games hosted by the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association.
Virginia Aguilar exploded for 10 second-half points to lead Pop It to a 39-27 showing over Wailua in the second matchup of the night.
The three-ball and a tight inside defense kept the Hui in the match throughout the night until Elisa Inouye found the hoop in the final minute.
“It’s better that you find the mark in the second half,” said Ron Garlie, who was watching the young Inouye take practice shots during the half, helping shag balls for his daughter, Erin, who iced the win with a three-for-four showing at the charity stripe before nailing the late-game bucket for five points.
Elisa Inouye finished with a game-high 16 points followed by Garlie’s five points. Rachael Taira, the sparkplug of the team, finished with four first-half marks and a pair from Carie Inouye rounded out the win.
The Hui’s three-balls came with Natalie Kuroiwa launching three for nine points to lead the effort. Kapua Chandler, the main ball handler, added one in the second quarter en route to her game-total five points. Layna Christian, aggressive at the corner, finished with five second-half points and pairs from Caroline Troutman and Kirstie Daly rounded out the Kilauea scoring.
Kira Taylan’s trey with 1:35 showing in the half gave Wailua its first lead of the night, 16-15, and another three-ball from the 2009 Miss Kaua‘i, Krystal Ijima, gave the greenshirts a 20-15 lead at the half.
But Virginia Aguilar answered for Pop It in the third period, netting eight of the team’s 10 points while anchoring the inside and keeping Wailua to just outside shot attempts.
Aguilar, a former collegiate volleyball standout, finished with a game-high 16 points in Pop It’s victory followed by Kate Conarroe, Joanna Jacinto and Ashlee Vea each netting six points. Tiana Samio added three and a pair from Kehau Regidor rounded out the win.
Ijima and Taylan paced the Wailua effort with nine points apiece followed by Kathleen Cadiente netting four points. Chelsie Villatora was held to a single trey in the second period and pairs from Kayla Werner, held in check by Aguilar, and guard Leilani Laranio closed the books.
F-N-G next faces Pop It, Saturday, at the Kapa‘a High School gym starting at 3 p.m. Wailua and the Kilauea Hui do battle starting at 4 p.m.
The Boys 18 and Over league tips off Sunday at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center starting at 6 p.m. with Mixed Plate taking on Team 1. Notorious tangles with Illmatic starting at 7 p.m.
