KAPA‘A — The Westside Pride came from a 29-17 halftime deficit to outgun G.E.K. 35-24 in the second half, but the effort came up a point short as G.E.K. held on for a 53-52 edge Thursday night at the Bernice
KAPA‘A — The Westside Pride came from a 29-17 halftime deficit to outgun G.E.K. 35-24 in the second half, but the effort came up a point short as G.E.K. held on for a 53-52 edge Thursday night at the Bernice Hundley Gym in Kapa‘a during the Men’s 18 and Over basketball league.
Aaron Hesapene, the leading scorer for G.E.K., was held to just three three-point bombs after averaging eight over the last two games. He finished with 17 points, including his trio of treys, with Mike Sanders, recording a game-high eight buckets, adding 16 points. Hans Reeves netted three three-balls in his 11-point contribution.
Gaylard Matias, high scorer for Westside Pride, finished with five bombs from outside the three-point arc for his 17 points. Reynante Villanueva, picking up five buckets and a perfect 4-4 at the charity line, added 14 points in the comeback effort.
Earlier in the evening, the Ramblas’ Ian Clements, netting three three-balls Clifton Asuncion with one trey, set the pace for the Ramblas’ 59-48 win over Hanakila in the opening game of three. Kaima Makua rounded out the leaderboard with seven buckets and a charity pair for 16 points, followed by Scott Rabago adding five points, all coming in the final frame and Jed Balmidiano and Jerek Barcelona each pairing in the fourth quarter.
James Paik set the pace for Hanakila, the squad made up of players from the Hanalei to Kilauea area and coached by Philip Baclayon, who is still nursing his bandaged ankle suffered during a recent game.
Paik nailed three treys and a bucket for his 11 points, followed by Marlon Cudiamat getting a trey in his seven points and Angelito Roslin launching two from outside the arc for his six points. Mark Roslin added five points, Keli‘ikoa Baclayon added four, Brison Nacapuy finished with a three-ball in the third quarter, Matthew Cummings and James Stevens each added four points, Stevens’ marks coming in the opening frame, and pairs from Roger Domingo and Christian Roslin rounded out the blackshirts’ efforts.
Tab Matsumoto finished with a game-high 31 points, including nine buckets and just a pair of three-balls, to lead the Kings to an 89-75 win over the Kaua‘i Ballers followed by Tony Brewer and Justin Starks adding 17 and 16 points, respectively.
The game started out as a see-saw, the Kaua‘i Ballers matching up with the Kings until the final two minutes of the opening period when the Kings surged ahead and never looked back.
Following the leaders, Trent Thompson finished with 10 points followed by Axefaio Brewer adding six points, Olin Claussen taking a hammering in the paint and adding four points, including one of four three-balls netted by the Kings, Harold Tallano adding the final bomb in the third period and Eric Vicoy finishing with a charity pair in the opening quarter.
Willis Batol, being held to just two buckets, was 13-for-15 at the charity stripe to lead the Kaua‘i Ballers with 17 points followed by Noa Colipano getting 15 points on a three-ball and six buckets. Makana Aki added 14 points on seven field goals followed by Kevin Esteban with seven points, including a trey, one of two launched by the Kaua‘i Ballers. Lance Miyashiro finished with six points followed by Keali‘i Colipano ending with five points, Koa Colipano adding four, Cody Abigania getting three with Winston Gee and Chester Dikilato each pairing.
The Men’s 18 and Over league next takes the floor Tuesday at the Kapa‘a High School gym with a trio of games starting at 6 p.m. when Notorious tips off against the Kaua‘i Ballers followed by G.E.K. taking on Tropang-L in a 7 p.m. match. the Kings go up against the Ramblas in the nightcap starting at 8 p.m.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
