LIHU‘E — Waimea High School won two of its games against Kaua‘i High School during the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation girls basketball games at Kaua‘i High School.
The Menehune junior varsity won 70-16 behind the high pointing of La‘akea Kauwe, who finished with a match high of 20 points, including an opening stanza 3-ball. Wailana Tanigawa-Christian finished with 13 points, including a first quarter trey. Jeianna Locquiao and Cyani Bagaoisan-Rita each helped the win by marking 12 points apiece. Locquiao launched a pair of second-half treys.
Chloe Kaluahine topped the JV Red Raiders’ effort with five points, including an opening stanza 3-ball. Taylor Duran finished with five points on a bucket and a trio of charity shots.
Despite the rain of treys inside being joined by the outside soggy weather, the Red Raider spirit could not be dampened as the in-house programming committee celebrated Friday night akin to the school’s final home game with an ample dose of in-house camerawork and contests.
On the varsity court, Coach William Aki and his forces moved the Lady Red Raiders to a physically demanding defense on the ball. The maneuver failed to stop the agile Menehune, who took a 61-37 victory against the Kaua‘i squad that lost services of three of its players who fouled out.
Menehune guard Hailey Mata sparked the Waimea attack by finishing with a game-high 16 points, including four bombs from outside the 3-point arc.
Alyssia Gummerus and Kiaura Rita each added nine points to the Waimea victory. Center Ari Acosta marked five points before being buzzed out on fouls.
Red Raiders guard Cheyley Jacobs topped the Kaua‘i effort with 12 points, including a trio of 3-balls. Jazlyn Corpuz shrugged off an injury to finish with a dozen marks that included a third quarter 3-ball.
The KIF enters its final week of girls basketball play on Monday when Kaua‘i High School hosts Kapa‘a High School at the school’s gymnasium that students labeled the Raiderdome. The JV game tip off at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity contest to follow.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
