KALAHEO — Max Manera, Team Lihue Warriors eighth grade boys division coach, said the last time the two teams met, they lost. That came during a summer basketball tournament when the Supersonics eighth grade boys nudged the Warriors at the
KALAHEO — Max Manera, Team Lihue Warriors eighth grade boys division coach, said the last time the two teams met, they lost.
That came during a summer basketball tournament when the Supersonics eighth grade boys nudged the Warriors at the Bernice Hundley Gym.
Thursday night, during an encore meeting to determine the title for the eighth grade division boys, Team Lihue Warriors turned to Tim Ehia for 16 points and Marique Manera for 11 points to claim the trophy on a 49-38 win over the Supersonics who got 14 points from Aiden Ringor.
“It’s been a long season,” Coach Max said. “We already have football, Saturday, and three of our boys just came off Junior Varsity practice. I’m glad this is finally over. We move ahead.”
The TL Warriors lost little time gaining the upper hand, capitalizing on the absence of the Supersonics’ low post whom Coach Max said was on a traveling vacation, and quick platoon changes which kept fresh legs on the floor.
Earlier in the night, the Kauai Thunder fifth grade boys’ low post Isaac Mirey exploded for eight second-half points to lead the whiteshirts to a 33-15 win over the fifth grade Lihue Lakers to open the summer youth basketball league games at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Mirey finished with high-point honors at 12 points in the win followed by guard Joshua Rego adding eight points, dropping six of those marks in the first half when the Thunder built a 17-6 lead. Austin Duterte finished with five points.
Bryan Brown and Austin Green led the Lakers’ effort on four points apiece. Kaeden Ballesteros added three points. Isiah Sales and Bryden Kawakami finished with pairs.
On the girls’ court, the Kauai Lynx eighth grade girls came to play, holding the Dream Team to just three points in the first half — all from the free throw line — en route to sealing a 37-10 victory.
“It’s not over, yet,” said Kauai Lynx coach Clarence Sales. “We have our big game coming, Saturday when we meet the eighth grade Kaulupono for the division title.”
Amalya Sales finished with a game-high 18 points in the Lynx’s victory followed by Zoe Santa Maria, Katrina Cruz, and Bailey Perreira each adding four points. Jasmyn Ballesteros, Alena Bernardo and Jessica Cezar each put in pairs.
Kiani Pia Salvador, playing up from the fifth grade girls, topped the Dream Team effort on five points with Bryshell Kalai and Kallie Ka‘aihue Paopao each ending with pairs.
