LIHUE — Jaylen Young exploded for eight of his game-total nine points in the second half Thursday at the Kauai High School gym. The performance by the Honolulu Sharks’ guard led the visiting Oahu team to a 32-14 win over
LIHUE — Jaylen Young exploded for eight of his game-total nine points in the second half Thursday at the Kauai High School gym.
The performance by the Honolulu Sharks’ guard led the visiting Oahu team to a 32-14 win over Papalina, coached by Erik Burkman and Matt Taba, during the opening of the 2013 Merv Lopes Hoops Classic.
Young’s nine points topped the Honolulu Sharks-Black scoring in Division 3, or 9th grade and below, matchup. Liko Soares added five points in the win.
Gunnar Burkman topped the Papalina scoring with three points, a trey, which pulled the Kalaheo team into the lead briefly in the first half.
Working against a tenacious man defense, Papalina was limited to just three points in the second half, two coming from Ryan Banasihan and one from Trey Taba.
Talor Yadao, Makana Tavita, Nick Herbig and Noah Ruiz added pairs in the first half for Papalina.
The Merv Lopes tournament continues through the championship bracket, single elimination games, Sunday at both the Kauai High School and Island School gyms.
Visiting teams include the Aiea Blazers, Dream Hoops Elite, Honolulu Sharks-Black and Honolulu Sharks-Green from Oahu, the Upcountry Kings Red, Upcountry Kings Black, and the Upcountry Elite from Maui. Kauai teams include host Team Central, Hanakila, WBC, Team Lihue, Kauai Ballers, and Papalina.
The tournament features 22 boys basketball teams, including teams from Oahu, Maui and Kauai playing in Division 1, 12th grade and under, and Division 3. The teams will play a total of 52 games between Thursday and Sunday between the Kauai and Island School gyms.
Over at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, the Kaulupono basketball program is also hosting a girls basketball tournament, which opened Thursday night and will continue through the championship play Sunday.
This tournament will feature Division 1, or players in grades 10, 11 and 12, and Division 2, or players in grades 8 and 9.
Featured will be two teams from Maui, one each playing in Division 1 and Division 2.
There is no admission to view the competition at any of the tournaments.
The complete Merv Lopes Classic Hoops tournament and daily game results can be found at www.tcb808.com.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
