LIHUE — Kauai High School captured the Kauai Interscholastic Federation Round 1 title with a 71-48 win over Waimea High School, Tuesday night before a capacity crowd at the Kauai High School gym.
Starting with the opening bucket from Red Raider Ellsworth Doza Kaleiohi, Kauai High School rolled to an early lead and maintained control for the remainder of the game that gave the Round 1 title to the Red Raiders.
“The boys worked hard to prepare for this game,” said Kauai coach Ipo Yoshioka. “Credit to them. This was a fun game to watch. But the season is long and we need to work on our consistency.”
The consistency Yoshioka talked about is the loss Kauai suffered, Saturday night to the Kapaa Warriors who also bucketed the opening basket and continued to roll past the Raider defensive efforts.
Tuesday night, Kauai faced the Waimea big boys — Wade Pimsaguan, Matsu Shigematsu, and Eilon Jamorabon — who anchored the Menehune tight physical defensive efforts at containing the quick Raiders.
“The boys got to handle a little bit more,” said Waimea coach Brandon Moises. “We got work to do. We hit the gym from tomorrow to work on Round 2.”
Pimsaguan and Mason Broyles topped the Menehune scoring effort, Pimsaguan finishing with a game-high 18 points followed by Broyles contributing 13 points, including a second quarter long ball.
Ricky Malu Ralston topped the balanced Kauai scoring with 14 points, 10 dropping in to establishing first half where Kauai held a 39-24 lead at the break. Junior Luke Hunadi added 12 points, and Jim Ehia tucked in 11 points before leaving the contest in the second quarter due to injury.
“He’s going to be alright,” Yoshioka said. “The doctors took care of him, and he just needed to rest.”
Earlier in the evening, the Kauai High School boys junior varsity broke away from a 39-39 deadlock following three quarters to play to take a 10-point victory over the Menehune JV, 57-47.
Mareyon Cromartie topped the JV Raiders’ scoring on 14 points after bucketing 12 points in the second half. Ridge Serraon and Syrus Delos Reyes each added 10 points in the win.
Hekili Dizol led the Menehune effort with a game-high 17 points with Angelito Constantino Jr. and Ty Tsukayama each netting seven points.
Waimea will next host Kapaa High School on Jan. 21 to open the second round at the Clem Gomes Gym. The JV contest will tip off starting at 5:30 p.m. followed by the varsity contest.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
