KAPA‘A — Kapa‘a High School boys basketball program made the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation Round 2 opener as exciting as the playoff for Round 1 that was held, Tuesday at the Kaua‘i High School gym.
The battle between the Red Raiders and the Warriors had the same level of competitiveness, Thursday that swelled the audience to near-capacity levels that was decorated in ti leaves to the same level as homecoming. And, the Warriors did not disappoint as they swept the evening by taking the Junior Varsity contest, 44-33, and followed that win with a 65-60 nail-biter over the Red Raiders.
Kaua‘i JV got 10 points, six dropping in the final quarter, from Keanu Perreira-Inouye who got help from Kanaloa Yasutake who dropped eight points, and Christian Vito who finished with six points in the effort against the JV Warriors.
Ty Kamoku finished with 13 points in the Kapa‘a JV win, teaming with Shayden Mandel who finished with 12 points, including a trio of 3-balls to lead the JV Warrior win.
The excitement of that win carried over to the varsity boys who celebrated the return of senior Mikey Questin to the hardwoods following his injury sustained during the KIF playoff game, Tuesday.
Kapa‘a looked at a 21-9 deficit following the opening frame where Reimel Camacho was held to just three points, and Questin, Braxton Brooks, and Moku Tolenoa had a bucket each.
The first quarter was the wake-up call, and Kapa‘a answered with a 22-10 run in the second quarter to end the half tied, 31-31. Kapa‘a continued to sizzle in the third quarter, and despite a concerted comeback effort from Kaua‘i in the fourth frame, Kapa‘a held onto a 65-60 effort.
Keaka Kauhane, being held scoreless in the opening frame, came back to finish with 20 points, including a 3-ball to announce himself in the second quarter to lead the Warriors’ win that came with Questin being closely monitored by the coaching staff for any signs of the injury that sidelined the senior during the Tuesday night playoffs.
The Warrior went from tipoff to final whistle and pulled in 14 points to help the win. Camacho, not showing any treys, Thursday, added 11 points. Kelsan Yasay dropped a pair of treys toward his 8-point contribution.
Cade Myers topped the Raiders’ scoring on 16 points followed by Joshua Rego on nine points, including a trey in the comeback fourth, and a two-for-four charity showing. Noah Louis added seven points, that included a paltry one-for-four showing at the free throw line.
Scores for the Waimea at Island School matchups were not available at press time.
Following the disruption for the First Round Playoff, KIF boys basketball gets back on track, Tuesday when Kapa‘a travels to Waimea, and Island School visits the Kaua‘i High School gym. The JV games start at 5:30 p.m. at both sites with the varsity contest to follow 20 minutes after the JV contest.
