LIHUE — The Red Raiders saw 13 of its 16-member roster score during their 66-53 victory Tuesday over the Menehune in Kauai Interscholastic Federation boys basketball game at Kauai High School.
“We just have to keep trying,” said Waimea coach Dino Pabre. “We have to keep working, keep trying to improve. Kauai played tough right out of the gate. They had a nice dribble penetration with a kick. It’s hard to recover against something like that. That first quarter did us in. All we can do is keep our heads up and work to get better.”
The Raiders roared out of the locker rooms, getting six points apiece from Makana Tavita and Ricky Malu Ralston toward an early 23-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
“Defense,” said Kauai’s Kaimani Tecson. “Coach said to emphasize the defense. We knew it was going to be physical going into the game. But we have good team chemistry — a lot of us played together since we were freshmen, and that helped us.”
CJ Cromartie led the Raiders with 14 points while leading the ball control as the point guard through the evening. He was helped by Davin Toyofuku coming off the bench, and Ricky Malu Ralston, who each netted 10 points in leading the victory.
Wade Pimsaguan topped the Menehune with a game-high 20 points, 16 in the second half when the Menehune forward peeled off a pair from outside the three-point arc. Eilon Jamorabon added a dozen points, including a pair of second-half treys, and Mayson Broyles finished with seven points.
“We’re undefeated,” Tecson said. “But a better mindset is rather than look ahead, we live in the moment.”
With just a handful of ticks remaining in the game, Kauai junior varsity’s Xaerys Dela Cruz slipped a layup to break a 53-53 stalemate and seal a 55-53 edge over the Waimea High School junior varsity.
Micah Agtunong set the pace for the JV Raiders with 15 points, followed by Doza Kaleiohi Ellsworth marking 13 points, and Dela Cruz finishing with 10 points.
Ty Tsukayama topped the JV Menehune scoring on 13 first-half marks, including a trio of three-balls. Aden Ringor added nine points, and Damien Akita finished with eight points, all in the first half.
With the sweep, Kauai next travels to face Kapaa at the Bernice Hundley Gym on Thursday when the JV contest tips off at 5:30 p.m. followed by the varsity match. Waimea will host Kapaa, Saturday at the Clem Gomes Gym.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
