KALAHEO — Ashley Lucas of the Kamikaze finished with a game-high nine points, including two in the final period, but the effort fell short as Kaulupono Girls held on for a 22-18 win in the first of two games, Thursday.
The Kawamura twins, Kaylin and Kristin, combined for 19 points to lead Lihu‘e to a 30-21 showing over the Westside Girls coached by Josh Burton in the county’s 11 and Under girls basketball league.
“We’re going to play the big girls, tonight,” said Alyssa Miyamoto, one of the key ball movers for Westside while watching the waning moments of the Kaulupono match against the Kamikaze.
Miyamoto may not have marked points in the books for this outing, but her value comes from her height and ability to move the ball for the Westside.
Teammate Brandee Burton, quick and agile in traffic, paced the Westside on eight points followed by Kiani Kawamura adding four points.
Kaylin Kawamura marked 10 points and Kristin Kawamura finished with nine to lead the Lihu‘e effort, as coach Max Manera returned to the floor following a Lanai trip. Marissa Martines and Motu Taumalolo added four points each in the nightcap.
Lucas’ pair in the final period pulled the Kamikaze redshirts from a 10-point deficit which prevailed for most of the contest.
But a platoon change in the final three minutes saw the scoreboards light up in the Kamikaze’s favor as the redshirts outshot Kamikaze 6-2 in the final frame, pulling to within four points.
Following Lucas, Ayzlin Kealoha-Albarado added four points, Bailey Saito and Sandrea Chung each added second-half pairs and a digit from Kealia Shimabukuro rounded out the effort.
Low post Taegan Keep set the pace for Kaulupono with six points, all coming in the first half. Kiarra Palacio, strong in ball movement capabilities, BreeAnn Cayaban and Jasmine Santella each finished with four points. Lauren Lagoc and Schae-Marie Tavita each paired.
The girls wrap up the season Saturday with a single league game when Westside tangles with Kaulupono, scheduled to tip off at 11 a.m.
Lihu‘e takes the floor at noon against the visiting Piopio Bears coached by Big Island councilman Dennis “Fresh” Onishi.
Following the noon showdown, Kaulupono will play the finale of the Bears’ trip here with a 1 p.m. game.
