LIHU‘E — Members of all three of Kaua‘i’s high school basketball teams have been anticipating the arrival of the 2004 KIF Girls Basketball season which will open Tuesday night, Mar. 30 when the Kaua‘i High School Red Raiders will visit
LIHU‘E — Members of all three of Kaua‘i’s high school basketball teams have been anticipating the arrival of the 2004 KIF Girls Basketball season which will open Tuesday night, Mar. 30 when the Kaua‘i High School Red Raiders will visit the Bernice Hundley Gym in Kapa‘a to tangle with the Lady Warriors.
Recently, Lady Warriors’ captains Nicole Kunioka-Volz and Jackie Alapai were reflecting on their four-point loss at the hands of the Kapolei Lady Hurricanes while awaiting the start of their season. In that contest, Kapa‘a finished their first quarter just a point shy of the Lady Hurricanes, and in the third stanza, outgunned Kapolei 12-7 after holding their own 10-10 in the second quarter.
In that loss, Kapa‘a got balanced scoring led by Bristol King tipping in nine points, Kennilyn Nakamuraadding eight points, and Alapai and Kunioka-Volz each contributing six points.
Kaua‘i, on the other hand, kept pace with the Lady Hurricanes, outgunning Kapolei, 8-6 in the first quarter, and surging to an 18-12 third frame while dropping the final quarter, 19-18 in their three-point loss.
Holly Iloreta and Ulu Kelekoma each finished with 16 points in that loss that could’ve been sent into overtime had the half-court shot attempt by Rachael Taira dropped.
Kaua‘i coach Dennis Aquino, at a recent 19 Under game, noted the absence of their Farren Higley in the matchup against Kapolei, Higley the go-to person in their earlier wins against opponents in the Waimea tournament as well as on Maui.
Throughout the night, Taira’s court antics kept the Lady Hurricanes off balance.
Meanwhile, the Menehune have not been idle either, as members of the girls’ team have been frequenting the final games of the KYBA 19 Under Teen League playing over at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Waimea sustained the biggest loss margin against Kapolei, but the Menehune has depth coming into the season with Ashley Mier, Malorie Hepa, and Janna Soto as leaders.
The Menehune get their opener on Friday night as Kapa‘a makes the trek out to the Clem Gomes Gym in Waimea.
JV games tip off at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity contest getting underway 20 minutes following the completion of the JV game.
