KAPA‘A — Kapa‘a forward Mike Lindsey played the biggest game of his life and it turned out to be the perfect time because it propelled the Warriors to their first win of the 2005 season, and the first victory for Kapa‘a in three seasons.
The Warriors played text book defense and made the big shots at the end for the 51-47 win over a tough Waimea squad last night at the Bernice Hundley Gymnasium.
“I feel really grateful for the community, for the coaching staff, but most importantly for the kids,” Kapa‘a head coach Ed Phillips said.
It was almost if the Warriors won a KIF title, with its huge celebration after the game, but it was a long time coming for a team, who has fought back despite losing for awhile.
“This is a great moment, let this be the moment for the players to remember, they deserve this more than anything,” Phillips said.
With the KIF title already spoken for, you’d think that the game would’ve been flat and uninteresting, but instead it turned out to be a barn burner from start to finish, just like the previous contest, where Waimea managed to pull through in the end.
But this time, it was Kapa‘a who grabbed ahold of the game, when it was in question.
With the Menehune up 40-36 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Warriors closed the gap at the five minute mark, as Lindsey completed a three-point play, after getting fouled by Waimea’s Kyle Pigao.
Then Lindsey followed up with a spectacular inside move, which tied the contest up at 42 apiece.
Junnel Calpito was automatic at the line, which sealed the game for the Warriors.
Calpito nailed five of six from the charity stripe, which made the final tally, 51-47 in favor of Kapa‘a.
Lindsey’s 11 points led Kapa‘a and Calpito contributed with nine. Chad Barba had 12 points to lead Waimea and Aaron Hesapene added 11 in the loss.
In the JV contest, Kapa‘a climbed out on top early with a 10-2 lead, but the Menehune made it close and eventually took the lead at the half at 22-17.
Waimea continued to lead in the third quarter, but Kapa‘a took the lead for good on Albert Aguila’s twisting lay-up at the four-minute mark in the fourth period.
The Warriors went on to win, 49-35.
Aguila led Kapa‘a with 16 points and Coty Salausa followed up with 11. Waimea got seven points from Vincent Vea and six from Bradley Frasco.
