WAIMEA – The last time the Raiders and Menehunes squared off, Waimea dialed deep early then controlled the paint in a 40-36 thriller to take an early lead in the KIF girls junior varsity basketball standings. For Kaua’i to make
WAIMEA – The last time the Raiders and Menehunes squared off, Waimea dialed deep early then controlled the paint in a 40-36 thriller to take an early lead in the KIF girls junior varsity basketball standings.
For Kaua’i to make a run for the title, it was time to step up the defensive intensity.
Ashley Belisarios steal at half court with :05 to play sealed an exciting 35-32 Raider victory over the previously undefeated Menehunes Tuesday night at the Clem Gomes gym.
Against a frenzied Raider fourth quarter “man” defense, Menehune guard Tiana Samio went glass to tie the game for the last time at 28-28 with 5:30 left.
Raider forward Sherri Gebauer then found an open Belisario underneath to put the visitors up by a bucket.
Two minutes later, Belisario again slipped behind the packed Waimea zone to score in the paint.
A Mallorie Hepa free throw cut the lead to 32-29 but Stephanie Kashiwabaras baseline bucket off an Anna Quibilan assist gave the Raiders their biggest lead at five points with less than a minute in the game.
Hepa was fouled on a successful goal underneath and her accurate free throw brought Waimea to within 34-32.
Both squads took time outs to discuss final strategies and with :07 left the Menehunes were forced to commit their seventh team foul to put Kashiwabara at the line for a 1-and-1-charity try.
The 5’2″ sophomore calmly drained her first attempt and the Raider coaching staff took another stoppage of play for one final defensive assignment.
Kashiwabara’s second attempt rimmed out and the Menehunes looked to quickly pass up-court for a trey attempt to tie.
Renewed Raider intensity and the quick-footed Belisario stepped in the way to spoil the comeback bid.
Menehune forwards Jessica Jacinto and Hepa shared game-high scoring honors with 9 points each, while Gebauer, who battled Hepa tirelessly, led the Raiders with 6.
The win moves Kauai into a tie with the Menehunes for the junior circuit lead with identical 3-1 records. The idle Kapaa Warriors girls junior varsity squad (0-4) travels to Lihue on Friday, April 19, for a 5:30 p.m. meeting with the Raiders.
Kauai: Janee Correia 1, Sherri Gebauer 6, Stephanie Kashiwabara 3, Kristen Matsunaga 0, Amber Thronas 0, Anna Quibilan 4, Tori Shimabukuro 2, Ashley Belisario 5, Lindsay Sugihara 2, Starlene Kelekoma 5, Kelcie Morita 0, Ashley Silva 0, Shannon Tomacder 2, Alannah Fagarang 5, Alex Hadwin 0.
Waimea: Melissa Moreno 0, Chantelle Briones 0, Tiana Samio 4, Tori Kagawa 4, Jessica Jacinto 9, Kristine Sison 0, Tiara Kali 0, Jenalyn Andres 0, Mallorie Hepa 9, Elizabeth Yaris 0, Randi-Ranasha Ortiz 6.
3-Pt. Goals: Kauai 1 (Kelekoma).
