WAIMEA — Exciting Kauai Interscholastic Federation basketball is on tap today when the Kauai High and Waimea High girls basketball teams square off on the floor of the Clem Gomes Gym in Waimea with the first-round title on the line.
Both teams sport 4-1 records.
Both the Menehune and Raiders have felt the pain of defeat at the hands of each other.
Waimea, coached by Natalie Mata, takes the floor with the leadership of its two shooting guards — Kaye Serapio and Kierstin Gummerus, who have both proven themselves under fire from a variety of defensive schemes from opponents.
Both guards get solid support from Kaye’s sister, Hazel Serapio, who controls the boards for the Menehune, and BreeAnn Cayaban, a perky senior who threads the traffic needle to the inside.
Kauai, coached by James Dingus and his staff that includes Neal Fagarang, takes the floor under the strong leadership of Marissa Layosa and weapons that include Tia Jaquias, Angeline Nizo and Amalya Sales.
The Lady Raiders had thrilled their fans, edging the Menehune 67-66 win in the second game of the KIF league, sending Waimea to a 1-1 standing following its earlier 56-41 win over Kapaa to open the regular season.
The Menehune came back to redeem that loss with an 81-66 win on Dec. 16, Waimea scoring its highest number of points in the league.
Who is coming out to play?
The answer comes Friday when the JV game tips off starting at 5:30 p.m. followed by the varsity contest.
Kauai High junior varsity coach Alan Castle and the JV Raiders are still feeling the sting of their first loss at the hands of the JV Lady Warriors last Friday in overtime at home.
The Lady Warriors, working toward being a spoiler for the Friday showdown, finishes Round 1 in search of its first win.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
