PUHI — With a two-point margin and 11 seconds showing in overtime, the Royalty’s Lily Kaohelauli‘i snagged a rebound to control the fate of the Hoopsters, 28-26, Friday night at the Wilcox Gymnasium on the Island School campus.
Earlier in the evening, the Hoopstars forced the overtime of the see-saw contest when Mikylah Labanon was able to drop the opener of a charity pair with 45 ticks showing in regulation to stalemate the game, 24-24. The Royalty had an opportunity to close with 22 seconds showing, but came up empty on two attempts at the free-throw line.
Ari Kaneakua-Acosta stepped up in overtime, outgunning the Hoopstars on two buckets while the Royalty defense held the Hoopsters to just a bucket from Labanon in the win.
This was just one of the games on the lineup for the Veterans Day Shootout tournament that opened with four games, Friday night at Island School.
“This is just a little something for the kids to do during this long Veterans Day weekend,” said Coach Clarence Sales, who, along with Coach John Quinones of the Hoopstars, put together the basketball tournament. “We wanted to give these players something to do ahead of their respective seasons. The teams include boys seventh grade and under, and girls eighth grade and under. This tournament features an all-Kauai lineup, no off-island teams.”
Tournament play continues with seven games on tap starting at 3 p.m., Saturday. Playoffs start Sunday from 4 p.m. when six games are penned in. Monday’s finals start from 12:15 p.m. with six games scheduled, the final match, a Hoopstar vs. Papalina encounter, starting at 5:15 p.m.
“This is only half our team,” said Royalty coach Fran Constantino. “Our eighth-grade girls are all playing on another team. These are our babies. Our season doesn’t start until February, but the girls want to play, so we just come out and try our best.”
Participating teams include the 6U Lynx, Kaulupono, Royalty, Hoopstars girls, NaKoa, Papalina, Hoopstars boys, Isle Hoops, Westside, 8U Lynx, and the Warriors.
“My son is in high school now,” said coach Lenny Rapozo. “That means I can help out Greg Myers, who is doing the Island School team (Isle Hoops).”
There is no charge to view the competition.
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Dennis Fujimoto, a staff writer, and photographer can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
