LIHUE — Waimea High School girls basketball and Kapaa High School girls basketball earned victories on Thursday night to force a playoff for Monday night.
During the Kauai Interscholastic Federation games played at the Wilcox Gymnasium on the Island School campus, the Menehune claimed a 71-35 win over the Lady Voyagers.
Over at the new Kauai High School gymnasium, the Kauai Junior Varsity ladies picked up its second straight win, 48-22. On the varsity court, Kapaa needed two overtime play periods to lock up its 57-54 win and force the Monday night playoff.
Lady Menehune Katelyn Constantino, Shay-leah Guerrero and guard Hailey Mata each bucketed 11 points to lead the victory at Island School. Alyssa Gummerus added nine marks in the win.
Island School inside post Halia Vicoy-Fuimaono led the Voyager effort with 11 points, and Kailea Sokau-Mansulit finished with 10 points, including a trio of long balls. Guard Breyanna Alfonso added nine points.
Red Raider JV point guard Kaimi Miyasato poured in a game-high 20 points that included a pair of treys, and Kollins Messerly added 11 points to their Kauai JV win.
Kapaa JV guard Ginger Nunes led the effort with a dozen points on four treys, and Alicia Sa finished with eight points.
On the varsity floor, with just seconds remaining in the second overtime period, Kapaa point guard Taira Samiano calmly dropped a charity pair to ice the 57-54 win. She got help from Tyra Carvalho who dropped a pair of buckets in the overtime where the Lady Warriors outscored Kauai, 8-4 for the win.
Carvalho finished with 17 points, followed by Samiano adding 13 points in the win that came following countless lead exchanges with the Lady Red Raiders who hosted Senior Night on the final day of the girls basketball season.
Taisa Tupou who was brought up from the JV ranks a few games prior, made her mark with 10 points and, according to a hoops fan, “enforcing action.” Kapaa senior Trinity Guillen added eight points before being buzzed out on fouls in the first overtime.
Kauai point guard Jazlyn Corpuz, one of the Red Raider seniors feted along with fellow guard Anaiah Mendez, and Grace Alana, topped the scorebooks with 22 points, including a trio of treys.
Kamryn Wellings came off the bench to add 11 points, including a third quarter long ball.
Following the Waimea and Kapaa victories on Thursday, both teams emerge tied for the KIF second round with a loss apiece. The Monday night playoff is the tie breaker for the second round.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
