KAPA‘A — Torrid defense by the Kaua‘i Ballers earned its 12 and Under and 14 and Under boys basketball teams victories, Thursday night. The Kaua‘i Ballers’ 12 and Under team finished with a 50-14 win over Lihu‘e, the defense limiting
KAPA‘A — Torrid defense by the Kaua‘i Ballers earned its 12 and Under and 14 and Under boys basketball teams victories, Thursday night.
The Kaua‘i Ballers’ 12 and Under team finished with a 50-14 win over Lihu‘e, the defense limiting Lanakila Wilson, Lihu‘e’s high-point man, to just four points in the game. The Ballers’ 14 and Under boys team ended the night with a 46-14 win over Hanakila A, the North Shore team coming from a strong showing over Westside Basketball the night before.
Kristle Henry and Mahea Hanie-Grace teamed up to lead the Kamikaze Women 18 and Over team to a 50-39 showing over the Kilauea Hui.
Henry, a strong Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation player with the Kaua‘i Red Raiders, finished the night with a game-high 25 points, including four three-point bombs.
Hanie-Grace, one of the top players for the Kapa‘a Warriors, finished with 11 points, including one trey to make five netted by the Kamikaze.
After being shut down by the Hui, 7-2 in the opening frame, with Hanie-Grace getting the only bucket, Henry and Hanie-Grace ignited the Kamikaze scoring with three three-balls in the second frame en route to a 23-14 halftime lead.
Jocelyn Jensen, enjoying the summer on Kaua‘i from Alaska, joined the team, finishing the night with six second-half points, but her value coming with her height as she anchored the paint.
“I think she’s going to be a junior or a senior in Alaska,” said Steven Matsumoto of the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association. “She’s spending most of her summer here before meeting up with her team on Maui.”
Lauren Hanano and Lacey Lucas added four points each in the win.
Cheyenne Poorbear topped the Hui scoring with 14 points, followed by Iris Downey adding six points. Layna Christian finished with five second-half points. Rosie Ebinger and Chanita Makanui each netted four points and pairs from Natalie Kuroiwa, Lyann Ka‘ahanui and Candace Myers rounded out the effort.
Michael Booth topped the Ballers 12 and Under win on a game-high 18 points, followed by Willo Batol and Thomas Yam adding eight points each. Jonah Howard followed with six points.
Brandon Remigio picked up the lead for Lihu‘e with eight points, followed by Wilson netting four points and Demar Corcino getting a pair.
Leevi Bethel topped the Ballers 14 and Under squad on a dozen points, followed by Morean Clement adding nine points and Steven McCabe, valued for his paint work, ending with eight points.
Angelito Roslin, netting all of his points in the second quarter, topped the Hanakila A scoring with five points followed by Jed Ragudo adding four second-half points. Rashaan Kuhaulua was limited to a three-ball in the third quarter and a pair from Tryston Dela Cruz rounded out the effort.
