LIHU‘E — In one of the season’s best contests, the Kaua‘i High School girls basketball program rebounded from a 29-14 halftime deficit to outgun the Menehune on Wednesday night during a Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation girls basketball contest at Kaua‘i High School gym.
But the damage created by the Menehune in the first half was insurmountable, as the Red Raiders fell 49-35 during its Senior Night where six graduating seniors — Joliena Cumlat, Jazmine Constantino, Ciaralan Tolentino, Jadelyn Reynolds, Kadee Parubrub, Hema Naka‘ahiki-Young were honored for their individual contributions to the team.
The Red Raiders also summoned Waimea’s lone senior, Shylah Bagaoisan-Rita, to share the spotlight with them with a special gift presentation to the Menehune, who comes off the bench.
Bagaoisan-Rita was selected to read the honor and sportsmanship pledge with Red Raider Anaiah Mendez, minutes ahead of team introductions where the Kaua‘i seniors, and Bagaoisan-Rita were acknowledged for their efforts toward the team accomplishments.
Waimea then charged onto the floor, and following an opening 3-ball by guard Hailey Mata, surged to a 17-6 first quarter after limiting Kaua‘i to just six points, three coming from Red Raider senior Hema Naka‘ahiki-Young, who received sign-waving accolades for her opening bomb.
Naka‘ahiki-Young closed the night with five treys, including two in the final stanza to lead the Kaua‘i effort on 15 points, and was a good complement to the call of freshman Laliah Kalani to start in the paint. Kalani finished with six points in the Kaua‘i effort.
Jasmine Constantino added five second-half points, including a fourth-quarter 3-ball, and Kadee Parubrub blossomed for four points.
Mata, captained the Menehune through 15 points, including a pair of treys she netted in the opening quarter, and finding the net in all four quarters.
Kiaura Rita-Ortiz found all her seven points in the first half, including a second-quarter 3-ball, and Ari Acosta found six points in traffic along with Katelyn Constantino, who found five of her six points in the second half. Tristan Raposas and Stephanie Companero each netted four points toward the win.
With the win, Waimea High School prepares to face the undefeated Kapa‘a Warriors on Friday in a single game starting at 6:30 p.m. at Clem Gomes Gym. A Menehune win on Friday would force a playoff for the second round, while a Warrior win gives the girls basketball title to Kapa‘a, the holder of the first round title.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
