LIHU‘E — Kapa‘a High School rebounded from its recent loss to Island School by defeating Kaua‘i High School 50-45 on Tuesday night at The Raiderdome to open the second round of Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation boys basketball.
Earlier in the evening, the Kapa‘a Junior Varsity held off the Kaua‘i JV 55-50 behind the high-pointing of Siotame Malafu, who marked 23 points — 21 points dropping in the first half — in the victory. Naki Tuulangavalu helped the victory with 10 points. CeeJay Jenkins added eight points.
Karter Riechle topped the JV Red Raiders scoring with 17 points, including launching a trio from outside the 3-point arc, and Nickolas Gandez finished with 16 points, including four 3-balls in the effort.
Over at the Wilcox Gymnasium at Island School, the Menehune swept its series over the host Voyagers, the JV game resulting in a 53-23 win for Waimea and the varsity game ending in a 61-53 Waimea victory.
Kaleb Parraga and Efren Taylon set the scoring pace for the JV Menehune with marks of 14 and 12 points, respectively. Jonathan Primeaux set the tone for the JV Voyagers with 11 points, followed by Kade McCracken adding six points.
On the varsity floor, Kelani Lewis, dropping four treys, Lindcey Constantino and Mykah Brun set the pace for the Menehune with each player finishing with 12-points. Jeydon Moises finished with 11 points for the Menehune.
Lucas Summerhayes marked a game-high 18 points, including four long distance bombs, to lead the three Voyagers who marked double-digits in the effort. Garrett Hadley added 16 points, including a 3-ball. Aiden Alvarez finished with 12 points.
Trailing by 26-19 at the half, the Warriors surged in the third frame by scoring 23 points while driving the Raiders into drought territory and limiting Kaua‘i to six points.
Warriors guard Keaka Kauhane topped the comeback win for Kapa‘a with 24 points, including a trey that dropped in the first half where Kauhane was limited to just nine points.
Tristen Scully and his flashy orange footwear tickled the twine for a quartet of 3-balls from around the paint, ending the night on a dozen points. Austin Green, grabbing his share of rebounds, bolstered the Warriors scoring with 10 points, including a trey.
Joshua Rego topped the Red Raiders effort on 13 points, including a crowd-pleasing trey. Carmen Holt-Ho and Isaac Mirey each finished with 12 points, with Mirey nailing a 3-ball in the second stanza to ignite the fans.
The next KIF boys basketball games take place on Saturday when Kapa‘a hosts Waimea at Bernice Hundley Gym and Kaua‘i hosts Island School at The Raiderdome. The JV games at both sites tip off at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity contest to follow.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
