KAPA‘A — How do you deny a group of parents and supporters who are set on watching a game? You don’t. Through the cooperation of the Kaua‘i Ballers Girls 12 Under team, the Hanakila girls basketball team was able to
KAPA‘A — How do you deny a group of parents and supporters who are set on watching a game?
You don’t. Through the cooperation of the Kaua‘i Ballers Girls 12 Under team, the Hanakila girls basketball team was able to play an exhibition match after its originally scheduled opponent forfeited the game.
“The parents were as enthusiastic as ever,” said Karen Matsumoto, coordinator for the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association.
KYBA and the County of Kaua‘i hosted three Under 12 games at the Kapa‘a High School gym, Wednesday.
Ashley Lucas came up with 14 of Team Lihu‘e’s 26 points in their 26-11 win over the Kaua‘i Ballers.
Kaila Harris pocketed eight of the Kaua‘i Ballers’ 11 points.
The Kaua‘i Ballers Girls 12 Under team picked right up and came back with 14 points, led by Tori Daligcon-Pomaikai, in the exhibition game which followed.
Petite Jaliyah Casem planted her bright pink shoes and launched a three-ball from the top of the key in the second period to ignite the Hanakila fans, ending the night with nine points and the sole trey in a 21-14 showing over the Kaua‘i Ballers in the exhibition contest.
Angelica Cudiamat added six points for Hanakila.
“Jaliyah is only like nine years old,” said coach John Kaneholani, helping coach Philip Baclayon with Hanakila coaching. “During the Kaua‘i Police Activities League Northshore Basketball season, she killed us. But she wanted to play.”
Cudiamat is another youngster playing up, Kaneholani noting she practices with the Hanakila Boys Under 12 team.
Triston Hawelu-Inanod exploded for 13 points to lead the Hanakila Boys Under 12 to a 38-32 edge in a strong comeback in the finale.
Lexton Camat finished the game lending seven points to Hanakila, while Thomas Yam topped the Kaua‘i Ballers Boys Under 12 effort with nine points.
Akauola Tatofi and Hunter Bethel each added six points for the Kaua‘i Ballers.
The KYBA/County Youth Summer Basketball league continues Saturday with four games on tap at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center.
The West Kaua‘i Hornets open against the Kaua‘i Ballers in the first of two Boys 12 Under matches at 10 a.m. followed by Team Lihu‘e X taking on Team Lihu‘e at 11 a.m.
The Kamikaze open against Kaulupono in the first of two Girls 14 Under games starting at noon followed by Team Lihu‘e meeting Kaua‘i Ballers at 1 p.m.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
