KALAHEO — Kalaheo came back from a 24-19 third quarter deficit to capture a 30-29 win over the Kamikaze, Saturday. That nailbiter was followed by the .U..NCH staying ahead of the KHS Alumni, 32-20, and in the nightcap, Leinaala McCabe
KALAHEO — Kalaheo came back from a 24-19 third quarter deficit to capture a 30-29 win over the Kamikaze, Saturday.
That nailbiter was followed by the .U..NCH staying ahead of the KHS Alumni, 32-20, and in the nightcap, Leinaala McCabe of the Kaua‘i Ballers and Layna Christian of the Kilauea Hui each finished with 14 points, but the Ballers, its bench overflowing with a dozen players, taking a 51-25 win over the Hui.
Mahea Hanie-Grace and Lacey Lucas each had six points to lead the Kamikaze to its 24-19 lead after three quarters of play in the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association Women’s 18 and Over summer league.
Mollie Connelly, finishing the game with high point honors for Kalaheo, ignited the final period shooting as the girls garbed in the orange of Kalaheo (High School) Mustangs, got buckets from Connelly, Kelsey Cadiente, Aiko Grande, Leilani Laranio and Sera Pascual getting an “and one.”
But the Kamikaze had its opportunities to come back, getting at least five attempts at the bucket, but the tough Kalaheo defense keeping a lid over the hoop in the final five seconds of play.
Additionally, Kristle Henry had a charity pair called, but came up empty, finishing the night 0-for-4 on the foul line.
Hanie-Grace got help from a pair of treys in the final period, ending the night with a game-high 12 points, the Hanie-Grace bombs being the only points scored in the final period. Lucas finished with six points, Henry has five first-half points and pairs from Kristyn Lorita and Jocelyn Jensen rounded out the effort.
Mollie Connelly topped the Kalaheo win with 10 points, including the critical fourth quarter pair.
Janessa Grady added six points, Grande ended with five points, including a clutch fourth quarter baseline drive, Pascual ended with four points, Kelsey Cadiente ended with three points and a fourth-period pair from Laranio rounded out the win.
Kia Barba topped the .U..NCH win with seven points followed by Josey Jacinto marking six second-quarter points before having to leave. Carie Inouye, Cory Arashiro and Cherisse Rapozo each added four points. Erin Garlie finished with three first quarter points and pairs from Elisa Inouye and Rachael Taira rounded out the win.
Clifflyn Bukoski and Kira Taylan fueled the KHS Alumni effort, each girls launching a pair from outside the three point line for six points apiece.
That was the Alumni’s best period in the match, outscoring .U..NCH, 12-10.
Belinda Butac added five third quarter points, including a trey. Denise Karrati ended with a pair and Marycel Garcia was 1-for-4 in the first period.
The girls are on the floor, again, Monday with three games scheduled starting at 6 p.m. at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
The KHS Alumni will meet the Kilauea Hui starting at 6 p.m. followed by the .U..NCH tangling with Kalaheo starting at 7 p.m. The Kamikaze and Kaua‘i Ballers tip off starting at 8 p.m.
