Hanakila finish undefeated in 13U league play

KALAHEO— Hanakila basketball finished its season undefeated, Monday night in Kalaheo.

The black-and-gold from Kilauea, coached by Phillip Baclayon and Mike Stevens got 13 points from James Paik and 10 points from guard Koa Baclayon in its 55-28 win over Team Central.

That was one of three games played in the final week of the county’s 13 and Under boys basketball league at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center where the Kaulupono girls, the counterpart of the boys, ringed the arena and cheered on their favorite players and teams.

Kanalu Simao, playing the point position for this matchup, finished with a game-high 18 points followed by Lansen Eto with six points and Jedidaia Blake being held to just four points despite being encouraged by players from the Westside program.

Phillip Baclayon, who also coaches the Kapa‘a High School boys basketball team, said he made it back in time to help coach Hanakila in its match against Ho‘ouila, Saturday at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center.

“The boys were so happy,” the coach said. “After talking with my wife following Friday night’s game on O‘ahu, I realized I could be back in time for the game, if I could get the right flights.”

Following the Hanakila scoring leaders, Justin Apilado and Marlon Cudiamat each netted eight points with James Stevens and Angelito Raza getting five points apiece. Tall man Cy Whitlock finished with four and a pair from Daniel Reese rounded out the final game for Hanakila.

Earlier in the night, Papalina, coached by Sean Andrade and Clyde Vito, also closed its season on a winning note by edging out a tenacious Westside team, 48-31.

Vaughn Thompson took the role of low post and finished with 11 points along with guard Kainoa Simao who netted a three-pointer in the third period.

Another Papalina guard, Tystin Gummerus, one of the Kaulupono favorites, finished with six points. Trey Aguano, Tate Hashimoto, having his grandmother, uncle, aunt and cousins in the stands, and Kelson Andrade added four points apiece.

Jessem Cumlat, 11, playing up, finished with a pair and a lot of hustle to get the ball upcourt, sometimes in heavy traffic.

Peterson Lahip, the perky guard for Westside finished with seven points, including a final-period trey, and A.J. Martinez bulled for six points to lead Dino Pabre’s Westside team.

Briggs Agu, Bobby Oliver and Vhincel Bolleser each netted four, Bolleser fouling out in the final period after doing low post defensive honors throughout the night.

“You gotta let them play even if they have foul trouble,” said Andrade, enjoying the Ho‘ouila game. “Sometimes they play the rest of the game without fouling out.”

With four of his five players netting scores in the second period, Ho‘ouila overtook the G Unit and stayed ahead for the remainder of the game, 34-25.

Kerwin Morano, playing the outside and another of the Kaulupono girls’ favorites, finished with 10 points, including a pair in the second period.

He was joined by Morean Clement who led the period with four points along with buckets from Marrel Kaious and Benzon Dante.

Paulwin Tommy finished the game with six points along with Kaious, the little guard getting cheered on enthusiastically by members of Westside who had gathered to watch the game. Clement ended with four. Angelo Ramento, Dante, Chavis Banasihan and Kingzley Kaluahine each netted a pair.

Una and Fresno Masaniai each netted five points to lead the G Unit. Mikal Moranz finished with four and Shane Deponte had three final-period games where he snared a good share of rebounds.

Leevi Bethel, Brooks Bethel, Isi Koli and Makana Aki each paired.

The county’s 13 and Under program wraps up Saturday with a boys’ game and a two girls’ games at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.

Lihu‘e comes off its strong showing in Kilauea to take on Westside starting at 9 a.m. followed by Kaulupono trying to blemish Kamikaze-White’s undefeated streak starting at 10 a.m. The Kamikaze-Red meet the Z-Girls in the finale starting at 11 a.m.