KOLOA — Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i Charter School student Chase Batalucco has been named the Most Outstanding Player for the school’s entire basketball program, said DJ Adams, the po‘o kumu, or school director.
The Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i Charter School has been running both girls and basketball club basketball free of charge to keiki at the school’s facility in the Kahili Valley. Last week’s announcement of the top players finished the season for this school year.
“The championshp game went into overtime,” Adams said. “It was an exciting finale for the season. Koa Shay’s, named best rebounder in grade five, basket stood up as the winner as the Lakers (‘these Lakers made the playoffs!’) beat the Nets, 20-18 in overtime.”
Grade four award recipients include Cato Mokedden, hardest working defender; Dustin Kaneakua, best defender; Nathan Bennor, best shooter; Omar Maes, best rebounder; Corey Becknet, best dribbler; and Zennith Rollins, most improved passer.
Grade five honors go to Koa Shay and AJ Gregorius, best dribbler; Chase Batalucco, best shooter; and Eli Gaines, most improved passer.
Grade six honors go to Malakai Tapia as the most improved passer; Noah DeSilvestri, best shooter; Preston Hibbs, best rebounder; Owen Hibbs, best defender; and Micah Caron, most improved dribbler.
Batalucco, one of the standouts during the Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i Boys Basketball March Madness 3×3 Tournament, earned the Most Outstanding Player award for the entire basketball program.
During the March Madness tournament, Batalucco made a tough driving layup through the key to get the win for his team that included Omar Maes and Malakai Tapia, Adams said. This was another overtime affair to determine the winner.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
