KALAHEO — Ariel Cummings and Anne Abigania led the Kaua‘i Ballers to a 22-16 edge over Kaulupono with eight and six points, respectively, Friday night. Cummings, the scoring leader for the night, added not only an offensive showing, but was
KALAHEO — Ariel Cummings and Anne Abigania led the Kaua‘i Ballers to a 22-16 edge over Kaulupono with eight and six points, respectively, Friday night.
Cummings, the scoring leader for the night, added not only an offensive showing, but was quick on defense, heading up an effort of tall girls that limited Kaulupono to outside shots in the Girls 12 and Under summer league hosted by the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association and the County of Kaua‘i.
Kunani Tuttle, the youngest sister of Kapa‘a High School multi-sport athlete Tori Tuttle, was key to the defense, anchoring one of the low post positions. She went on to finish with two points in the win along with Violet Martin whose height advantage had her trying for shots in heavy traffic in the paint.
Janessa Calvan finished with four points to round out the Kaua‘i Ballers’ win.
Brandee Burton alternated between the point and outside guard position to finish with six points to lead the Kaulupono effort. She was followed by Tiana Apilado, taking the leftside guard slot and getting hammered on numerous ventures to the inside against the taller Kaua‘i Ballers’ defense. Apilado finished with five points.
Jasabelle Cudanes was held to three points, and Shania Kaahepu‘u, granddaughter of Paniolo Hall of Famer Eddie Taniguchi, was held to just a pair despite her maneuvering in the taller Kaua‘i Ballers’ defense.
Karen Matsumoto of the KYBA said the 18 and Over Women and Men will make their initial venture onto the courts, the Women league sporting at least six teams, some carrying over from the 17 and Under division, and the Men’s league fielding eight teams, including Tropang-L expanding from its original team to having two teams for the summer league.
Tropang-L, coached by Jr. Punzalan, will open the 18 and Over league, Tuesday night at the Bernice Hundley Gym in Kapa‘a against the Organic Apples, coached by Brandon Wong.
That game will tip off at 8 p.m., the last of three games scheduled. Earlier, Hanakila A and Hanakila B will tip off at 6 p.m. in a Boys 14 and Under game followed by Westside Basketball making the trip from Waimea to take on the Kaua‘i Ballers at 7 p.m.
The first of the Women 18 and Over games will tip off Thursday night at 7 p.m. when Kalaheo, coached by Teri Connelly, tips off against William Aki’s Kaua‘i Ballers.
Earlier in the evening, Aki’s Girls 14 and Under teams will tip off at 6 p.m. when the Kaua‘i Ballers A and Kaua‘i Ballers B match up.
The finale on Thursday will be a Men’s 18 and Over game when the SupaStars, coached by Ian Khan, tips off against Manny’s Sports coached by Michael Lindsey at 8 p.m.
