LIHUE — Team Focus outgunned the Hoop Dreams Wahine, 19-18 in the second half, Sunday behind a dozen points put in by Kelsie Imai during the 12th grade under girls division finals at the 11th Annual Kauai Hoops Classic.
Trailing by seven points at the half, the Team Focus comeback fell short as the Hoop Dreams Wahine clinched the division title, 48-42 behind the lead of Keirstyn Agonias who ended the match with 12 points and Leiah Neeata who added 11 points.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” said Natalie Mata, coach of Team Focus. “We entered the tournament so we can build on what we have. It’s good to have this chance.”
Team Focus had its lead from Imai, a visiting player from the Big Island, who posted a game-high 16 points, and Kaye Serapio adding 14 points.
On the boys’ court, the Hoop Dreams Hawaii eked out a 55-54 edge over Kauai 808 to claim the 12th grade under boys division title, the Kauai 808 squad featuring players from the Kapaa High School squad who participated in the Kauai Interscholastic Federation league.
The Sparks Basketball Maui squad built on a 16-13 halftime lead to finish by downing the Barrow Girls, 28-21 to claim the 9th grade under girls division title at the Kauai High School gym. Ku‘u Ruidas poured in 15 points to lead the victory. Sierra Brower matched the effort for the Barrow Girls on 15 points, but the visiting team from Alaska was held to just three shooters contributing in the effort.
HiLyfe was a 47-41 winner over the Kona Stingrays to clinch the 9th grade under boys division at the Bernice Hundley Gym on the Kapaa High School campus.
During the 7th grade under boys playoff finals, GTD outran the Hoop Dreams Hawaii, 49-46 for the division crown in a match contested at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, and in the 7th grade under girls title fight, the Sparks Basketball Maui edged out the Dream Team, 37-31 for the division title.
The results wrap up four days of basketball where the Sparks Basketball Maui teams finished with a pair of division titles — the 9th grade under girls, and the 7th grade under girls crowns.
“This was a lot of hard work,” said Kauai Lynx basketball coach Clarence Sales who coordinated the tournament that featured 60 games being played at three different sites on the island. “We had 60 games for this tournament. Eventually, I want to see at least 74 games. There is still room to grow.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
