Waimea back in hunt

It takes them 16 minutes to get warm, but when the Waimea Menehunes find the ignition, they sure know how to turn it on.

Despite being down 22-18 at the half, the Menehunes outscored the Kapa’a Warriors 17-7 in the final two periods to win its first second round game, 35-29.

This was the Warrior’s first loss of the KIF season, and an important win for the Menehunes – All three KIF teams are tied in the second-round standings at 1-1 apiece, and if they continue their winning ways, Waimea can win the second round and possibly steal the KIF Championship from Kapa’a.

The season has new life.

Melody Manuel led the Menehunes with nine points, and added two rebounds. Ashley Vea’s trey in the fourth may have been the deathknell for Kapa’a. She finished with seven points and four rebounds. Give credit to Erin Castillo’s three rebounds in the final two minutes – they gave Waimea the opportunity to burn the clock at the other end.

Kapa’a’s first half onslaught was led by Kanoe Arinaga, who scored only two points but dished five assists and nabbed nine rebounds. Jasmine Stevenson had eight points, six rebounds, one assist, two steals. Danielle Hill had seven points, three rebounds, one steal.

Virginia Aguilar had six points, five rebounds. Ashley Mier had six points, one rebound; Lorraine Lagoc had four poitns, four rebounds; Kellie Montemayor had two points; Castillo added one point; Jannah Tafua had one rebound.

Other Warrior numbers – Jacklyn Alapai had one point, two rebounds; Ihilani Yama had two points; Tania Tasic had three points, four rebounds, one assist; Sharlene Carillo had six points, one rebound, one assist.

The Warriors committed 12 turnovers, eight of them in the second half. The Menehunes committed 11 turnovers, six of the them in the first half. The Warriors had 25 rebounds, the Menehunes had 20. The Warriors had five steals, the Menehunes had one.