LIHUE — Kapaa High School Junior Varsity player Taisa Tupou scored 25 of the team’s 39 points on Monday when the Kauai Interscholastic Federation opened its second round of girls basketball at the new Kauai High School gymnasium.
Tupou’s high points came from her low post position and did not include any of the long-distance bombs. Instead, the JV Warrior low post tucked away 16 points in the first half that ended with Kapaa holding a 23-5 lead over the Kauai High School JV.
Helping Tupou in the 39-12 win over the JV Red Raiders, Ginger Nunes dropped four third quarter points, and Alicia Sa put away four points toward the JV Warriors’ first half scoring.
After being held scoreless in the first quarter, Kauai High JV came up with productive 5-point second and final quarters behind the strong showing of its point guard Kaimi Miyasato who tucked away four points, as well as a three-ball, the only one in the contest, from Gabrielle Mendez.
On the varsity court, Waimea High School, owners of the KIF first round, continued its blistering pace with a 72-33 showing over the varsity Red Raiders.
Menehune Alyssa Gummerus finished with 15 points, including a third quarter trey, to lead the Menehune victory, followed by Haley Mata adding 12 points, including a trio of treys in the second quarter that ended with Waimea holding a 39-7 lead over the Red Raider ladies.
Katelyn Constantino finished with 10 points, and Tyra Valencia added eight points to the win.
Lailah Kalani dumped nine of her 11 game points in the second half when Kauai came up with 26 of its game total 33 points.
Red Raider guard Jazlyn Corpuz also added nine second half points to finish with the team’s high point honor at 14 points.
No scores from the Kapaa High School at Island School were available at press deadline.
The next KIF girls basketball games take place on Thursday when Kapaa takes on Waimea at the Clem Gomes Gym, and Kauai High School take on Island School at the Wilcox Gymnasium.
There is no JV contest scheduled which means that the opening tipoff takes place at 6:30 p.m. at both locations.
