Graduation and year-end school activities took their toll on the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association teams, but the games went on, Tuesday night at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Hanakila, the program based at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center, came back with strong showings from both its “A” and “B” teams to sweep the Tuesday night series.
Cole Guy of Hanakila “A” slashed the twine on a trey with just ticks remaining in the game, and Dave Aguinaldo bucketed the game-winner in a 28-26 nail-biter over Westside Basketball Club.
Marlon Cudiamat and Matthew Cummings, posting 17 and 11 points, respectively, led the Hanakila “B” to a 53-36 win over the Kaua‘i Ballers, who had taken a 23-17 halftime lead led by Makana Aki nailing the only three-ball in the half.
Westside came with just five players with the other five opting to attend the Waimea Canyon Middle School eighth grade banquet, said Karen Matsumoto of the KYBA.
But Hanakila “A,” also showing up with just six players, was able to overcome being shorthanded in the final 37 seconds after two of its players fouled out, to come away with the win over the Westside team.
Tryston Dela Cruz topped the Hanakila “A” scoring with 10 points, followed by Guy netting seven marks and Angelito Roslin finishing with six points.
Jamin Fernandez topped the Westside effort with 10 points, followed by Bobby Oliver and Mark Abalos each adding six points.
Aki topped the Kaua‘i Ballers’ effort that came up short in the second half when Hanakila “B” blazed the nets with 36 points compared with 15 for the Ballers.
Aki finished with 15 points, followed by Leevi Bethel adding 13 points.
Matsumoto said Friday starts the KYBA Girls 14 and Under invitational featuring a combined team from Kalama Hills and Wailuku, Maui, coached by Danielle Shepherd, her dad Donald, and Cliff Alakai.
The Maui team will be in action against three Kaua‘i teams — Kaua‘i High School coached by Ipo Yoshioka, Kaulupono coached by Bobby Kamakele and the Kaua‘i Ballers with William Aki as coach.
Maui takes on Kaua‘i High School following the opener, which features the Kaua‘i Ballers against Kaulupono starting at 5:30 p.m. The Maui game is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m. at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Four games are on tap for Saturday starting at 9 a.m. and the championship game is scheduled for 10 a.m., Sunday.
