KAPA‘A — Waimea High School and Kapa‘a High School boys basketball programs enjoyed sweeps at their respective gyms on Thursday night, when the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation opened its 2023-24 season.
At Clem Gomes Gym in Waimea, the Menehune swept the Island School Voyagers when the junior varsity Menehune wrapped up a 77-31 victory over the Voyagers behind Diego Mariano, who scored a game-high 30 points. Kaleb Parraga added 19 points.
The varsity Menehune followed with a 77-41 showing over the Voyagers behind 15 points by Kelani Lewis, 13 points from Eli Ewing and 11 points from Daniel Kaohelauli‘i-Kala.
Matthew Dobashi topped the Voyagers’ scoring at 15 points with Lucas Summerhayes adding 10.
Over at Bernice Hundley Gym on the Kapa‘a High School campus, the JV Warriors wrapped up a 40-22 win over the Red Raiders behind 12 points marked by Naki Tuuriangavalo, and nine points apiece from CeeJay Jenkins and Siatame Malafu.
Karter Reichle topped the Kaua‘i JV scoring with eight points, including a pair from beyond the 3-point arc. Edgar Porter followed with four points.
On the varsity courts, Kapa‘a rebounded from a 35-17 halftime deficit for a 62-53 victory behind Keaka Kauhane, who tickled the twine for 23 points. Tristen Sculley finished with nine points after dropping seven marks, including a long distance bomb, in the final stanza. Ty Kamoku finished with eight points.
Kaua‘i suffered drought conditions in the second half when none of their shots dropped, being limited to just 18 points in the final 16 minutes. Following the Kapa‘a halftime adjustments, Kauhane became more visible with six field goals and a charity point, compared with three field goals and four charity points in the opening half.
The turning point for the Red Raiders came in the second half, when its guard Kala‘i Esteban suffered a game-ending injury. Esteban, who dropped the opening trey for Kaua‘i, finished with 14 points, including four treys before leaving the skirmish.
Joshua Rego topped the Red Raiders with 15 points.
The KIF boys basketball continues on Saturday when Kapa‘a visits Waimea and Kaua‘i High School visits Wilcox Gymnasium at Island School. The JV games at both sites tip off at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity contests to follow.
