KAPA‘A — The Maui High School Sabers outshot Kaua‘i High School 26-19 in the second half to come from a 27-24 halftime deficit to win the opening game, 49-46, at the Kapa‘a Warriors Boys Basketball Tournament at the Bernice Hundley
KAPA‘A — The Maui High School Sabers outshot Kaua‘i High School 26-19 in the second half to come from a 27-24 halftime deficit to win the opening game, 49-46, at the Kapa‘a Warriors Boys Basketball Tournament at the Bernice Hundley Gym Thursday.
The Lahainaluna Lunas continued the win streak with a 74-19 win over the Waimea High School Menehune.
Maui’s Kalvan Aboy exploded for 10 of his game-total 15 points in the second half, eight dropping in the fourth quarter to pull the Sabers ahead of the Red Raiders in the final 14 seconds of the game.
Aboy, finishing five-for-six at the charity stripe, locked up the match with 14 ticks showing by dropping a charity pair.
Earlier in the match, Aboy pulled the Sabers to a 45-45 tie, dropping a Plus-one with 1:17 showing in the third period, but coming up empty on the foul shot.
Keith Tecson, finishing with 11 points, dropped a bucket with 37 seconds left in the third quarter to pull Maui into the lead, 47-46 for the first time in the game. He was one-for-three at the free throw line, marking seven of his game-total in the second half, five coming in the third frame where Maui pulled ahead.
Kaua‘i came back with a valiant effort, Kerwin Morano getting the nod for the three-ball to tie, but coming up empty at the buzzer.
Morano topped the Kaua‘i scoring with 13 points, including a three-for-five showing at the free throw line. He was followed by Mikal Moranz dropping six points, Ka‘lawaia Judd adding five points, including one of two three-balls marked by Kaua‘i. Jassem Cumlat, Solomone Manupule and Angelo Romento all finished with four points.
In the second matchup, the Lahainalunas caught on fire from the opening frame, distancing the Waimea Menehune, 74-19, the Menehune, with just nine players on the court, being able to churn up 15 second-half points led by a trio of three-balls. 14 points from Josh Chapital who marked three treys in the half toward his 14 first-half points. He was joined by Ryan Madera and Chris Kama, all three Lunas scoring 14 points apiece. Waimea getting its five marks from Nohili Kahepu‘u ending three-for-four at the charity stripe and Duke Yadao dropping a first-quarter bucket in the first half, was led by Yadao who finished with 12 points.
Overall, the Lunas burned the basket with 21 field goals while its defense limiting Waimea to just three buckets. The Lunas were 14-for-17 at the free throw line with six three-point bombs while Waimea ended four-for-nine at the charity stripe and a trio of treys.
Lance Miyashiro hit a dozen points and Daniel Reis added nine points to lead the Kapa‘a White to a 55-38 showing over the Kapa‘a Green in the nightcap, Michael Booth leading the Green effort on eight points.
Play wraps up Saturday with Lahainaluna taking on Kapa‘a White starting at 10 a.m. followed by Kapa‘a Green meeting Kaua‘i High School at 11:30 a.m. and Maui going up against Waimea starting at 1 p.m.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
