KAPA‘A — Kekai Gonsalves was named the Girls 14 and Under Most Valuable Player, but the Kaua‘i Ballers A was iced out of the division title on a 44-20 loss to Kaulupono, Saturday. “It looked like the team wasn’t here,
KAPA‘A — Kekai Gonsalves was named the Girls 14 and Under Most Valuable Player, but the Kaua‘i Ballers A was iced out of the division title on a 44-20 loss to Kaulupono, Saturday.
“It looked like the team wasn’t here, today,” said Karen Matsumoto, the KYBA coordinator. “Earlier in the season, the only loss to Kaua‘i Ballers A came from Kaulupono.”
Gonsalves, one of the Ballers’ ball handlers, scored all of her game-total five points in the first half. U‘ilani McCabe topped the Ballers effort with six points and anchored the inside.
Four of McCabe’s points came in the third quarter, the only period where the Ballers outscored Kaulupono, 6-5.
Meleane Moala, the low post, finished with four points. Lele Hanie had three first-half points, getting cheered on by the Kaua‘i Ballers B team.
Strong guard Joy Claypoole returned to the hardwood with a lot of hustle, but finished with just a pair.
Sanoe Kaohelauli‘i broke the ice for Kaulupono on a putback and the girls in blue stayed ahead after a 12-8 first quarter lead. Kaohelauli‘i joined Casey Anacleto, the outside shooting guard, with 13 points each, Anacleto marking a three-ball in the second quarter when Kaulupono scored 17 points behind treys from Nicole Palacio and Anacleto.
Palacio followed in the scoring with six points and helped getting the ball inside. Kaelyn Aquino-Kamakele, nursing a bandaged and supported hand, added five points. Nicolei Banasihan added four points and three points from Jenaiah Banasihan rounded out the victory.
The Kaua‘i Ballers B team finished with just two players on the game floor, but held off Waimea, 21-17 to capture third place in the KYBA Girls 14 and Under league.
Violet Martin and Sierra Shigematsu where the remaining Ballers after three players fouled out in the fourth quarter.
“There was one player with four fouls entering the last period,” said Antonio Pope, one of the game referees. “The Ballers tried to keep her out of trouble by having her lay out midcourt, but she fouled out early. Then, there were three, and then, there were two.”
An additional 1-for-13 showing the the free throw line plauged the Kaua‘i Ballers B in the final period.
Waimea tried to capitalize on this with a three-ball from Caitlyn-Amber Owen in the final period. But the girls from the Westside were also faced with a cover over the bucket, finishing with a 4-for-18 showing on the charity stripe.
Owen ended up leading Waimea with eight points, followed by Tiana Apilado adding seven points. A pair from Maethelle Battulayan rounded out the effort.
Ariel Cummings and Janessa Calvan topped the Kaua‘i B’s win on eight points each before the girls fouled out. Shy Anne Almarza and Martin ended with a pair each before Almarza buzzed out. Shigematsu rounded out the win on a digit.
Manny’s Sports breaks 100-point barrier
Manny’s Sports marked a milestone in the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association, Friday night at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Brian Andres bucketed two from outside the three-point line in the second half en route to leading Manny’s Sports to a 102-40 win over Westside Pride in a Men’s 18 and Over match.
Karen Matsumoto, the KYBA coordinator, said this was the first game in the KYBA/County of Kaua‘i league to surpass the 100-point mark, Manny’s Sports breaking the century mark with 38 points in the final period.
Mike Lindsey finished with nine buckets on his way to 19 points in the win. Korey Pang netted a three-ball in the first half and was joined by Matt Lindsey to help the victory.
Lowelle Salud and Ronald Villanueva topped the Westside Pride showing with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
ShaiAnne Abigania ended with a game-high 17 points to lead the Kaua‘i Ballers to a 33-8 win over the Kamikaze in the first of two Girls 12 and Under matchups.
Macy Tamura, Chyna Hanano, Kalia Shimabukuro and Hina Tafiti each netted a pair for the Kamikaze.
Tiana Apilado and Brandee Burton combined for 15 points to lead the Westside Basketball to a 19-6 win over Kaulupono in the second Girls 12 and Under contest.
Apilado finished with eight points and Burton marked seven points in the win. Melia Okura had four points and Kiarra Palacio added a pair for Kaulupono.
The results of the Friday night Girls 12 and Under games determined the final games as the Kamikaze will battle Kaulupono for third place and the Kaua‘i Ballers will go up against Westside Basketball for the Girls 12 and Under title, Monday startng at 6 p.m. at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Rachael Taira finished with 10 points to lead the .U..NCH. to a 38-32 margin over the Kamikaze that got a game-high 14 points from Kristle Henry in a Women’s 18 and Over match.
Carie Inouye added nine points to Taira’s lead while Mahea Hanie-Grace lent eight points to Henry’s lead for the Kamikaze.
