KAPAA — The only quarter that ended with the Red Raiders leading was the last. Kauai High School’s boys basketball squeaked by and defeated Kapaa 54-49 on the road Wednesday night. The Red Raiders (3-0 in first round) are undefeated
KAPAA — The only quarter that ended with the Red Raiders leading was the last.
Kauai High School’s boys basketball squeaked by and defeated Kapaa 54-49 on the road Wednesday night.
The Red Raiders (3-0 in first round) are undefeated in conference play.
“We knew that it was going to be a battle,” said Kauai junior guard Jassem Cumlat. “I’m so happy right now.”
Cumlat led Kauai with 13 points. Michael Booth and Ke’Ali’i Colipano also scored in double digits for Kauai with 11 points each.
Kauai head coach Ipo Yoshioka said turnovers were the reason his team struggled through most of the game.
“In the first half, we had 18 turnovers. That’s not good against a team like this,” he said. “We needed to control that (in the second half). We did and the outcome became positive, so we’re OK.”
After the game, it was apparent the Kapaa’s players were upset about the loss because the team led for a majority of the game.
“A loss is a loss,” said Kapaa senior guard Brison Nacapuy.
“We’re mad, but we just got to get back to practice and work harder. There’s still the second round. The title is still there for us.”
Nacapuy finished with seven points.
The Warriors leading scorer was senior guard Wheeler Batol with 11 points.
Kapaa (1-3 in first round) has lost three consecutive games after the team started the season with a 73-31 victory over Waimea.
Kapaa head coach John Kaneholani said while his team played as he expected during the first half, turnovers in the second half ultimately allowed Kauai to get the upper hand.
“We threw away the ball and didn’t take care of the ball,” he said. “(Turnovers) added up and then we just lost everything. Lost the game, lost the momentum, lost our heads.”
Kaneholani said he intends to make some changes to his lineup for the second round.
“We’re going to start with a new lineup that can play the whole game and take care of the ball,” he said.
Nacapuy said he hopes he and his teammates can move past this dissapointing start to the season and come back with a renewed energy for the second round.
“We really can’t do anything about it. We just got to look at what’s ahead,” he said.
Although Kauai is without a loss, Yoshioka said he will continue to remind his players that the season is not over yet.
“(We will) keep reminding them of their goal and what they’re here for,” he said. “If we lose track of that, then we’re not going to accomplish it.
“One day at a time, one step at a time.”
Kauai will next play on Saturday at home against Waimea.
Kapaa will start its second round on Wednesday at Waimea.
Junior varsity
Kapaa’s junior varsity squad defeated Kauai 56-51.
Junard Mata scored 20 points for Kapaa and Kauai’s Bryce McCormack-Johnson scored 16.
