KALAHEO — Kamea Palama-Alquiza worked both sides of the ball to lead Papalina-Blue to a 33-25 edge over the Westside Hornets, Monday night. Lanakila Wilson, in the second game of the double-header, netted 10 points to lead Lihu‘e to a
KALAHEO — Kamea Palama-Alquiza worked both sides of the ball to lead Papalina-Blue to a 33-25 edge over the Westside Hornets, Monday night.
Lanakila Wilson, in the second game of the double-header, netted 10 points to lead Lihu‘e to a 28-19 showing over a tenacious Westside team in the county’s 11 and Under boys basketball league, which opened at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Reymund Mendoza came into the game in the second period and helped the Hornets catch a 6-0 deficit. The second and sixth periods were the only time the Hornets outgunned Papalina-Blue, netting a 7-6 edge in the second and a 6-4 sixth frame.
Mendoza finished with a game-high 12 points, followed by Ned Ardino adding six points. King Angelo Blanes had three points and pairs from Seaton Farias and Keoni Gaoiran rounded out the Hornet showing.
“It’s good to have the Hornets back, again,” said Steven Matsumoto of the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association, helping with the scorer’s table.
Palama-Alquiza topped the Papalina-Blue scoring and added a number of rebounds on both sides of the court, finishing with 10 points followed by Joseph Cumlat, nailing nine points, including a 3-of-12 showing at the charity stripe.
Trey Taba and Nate Herbig each added five points and pairs from Noah Thompson and Braden Pagador rounded out the win.
“Every shot is an adventure,” said Clyde Vito of the county’s Parks and Recreations Department and a Papalina-Blue coach, mimicking a free throw and shuddering. “Even the layup, is an adventure.”
A 9-4 Westside fourth period kept coach Dino Pabre’s boys in the mix, led by Zech Pontin’s four points and three from Kasen Castro.
But strapped with an injury in the final period, Lihu‘e pulled off an 8-4 sixth frame for the win, led by four points from Travis Girard.
Wilson topped the Lihu‘e scoring with 10 points, six coming in the final two periods of play, the guard capitalizing on Westside turnovers.
Girard finished with nine points, Shiloh Nobriga added five points and four marks from Kai Saronitman rounded out the win.
Briggs Agu continued his ways from the just-completed 13 and Under league to lead Westside with seven points, Pontin adding six, and Castro ending with five points. A digit from Brandon Ijima rounded out the effort.
The remaining four of the eight teams in the 11 and Under boys basketball program take the floor tonight at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center.
Team Central opens against Papalina II starting at 6 p.m., followed by the Kaua‘i Ballers taking on Hanakila starting at 7 p.m.
Thursday night, four of the five girls teams take the floor at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center when Kaulupono and the Angels tangle starting at 6 p.m. That game will be followed by Lihu‘e taking on the Kamikaze starting at 7 p.m.
There is no admission charge to view the young athletes in action.
