KAPAA — Kapaa High School took both ends of its boys basketball games over Waimea High School on Thursday night during Kauai Interscholastic Federation action at the Bernice Hundley Gym.
The Warriors won the varsity game, 48-36, and the junior varsity contest, 49-28.
Warrior Justin Faidley, recovering from an injury sustained during the earlier Tuesday night match against Kauai, sealed a late-game run with 21 seconds showing to nail the 48-36 victory.
“We knew this was going to be a grinding game following that emotional Tuesday game,” said Kapaa coach Kamahalo Kauhane. “We had boys still recovering from the bumps and bruises. Justin played through his pain to pull us through. I’m pleased we were able to pull this off. We have some great shooters and the boys play well with each other.”
The varsity Warriors started tentatively against the Menehune, pulling to within a 11-10 deficit when Michael Encinas dropped a bucket with just two ticks remaining in the first quarter.
Following more defensive play, Kapaa’s Hero Raza dropped a bucket with 28 seconds showing in the half to deadlock the match, 22-22.
Kapaa showed its first lead following a defensive third frame when Alakai Gonsalves, one of three scoring leaders for Kapaa, netted four points toward the 30-29 advantage following three periods.
Kapaa surged for eight points in the final two periods while the Warrior defense kept the ball out of the Waimea hoop.
“We made some adjustments from our Saturday game,” said Waimea’s Dino Pabre of the Menehune coaching staff. “That showed. We knew Kapaa was going to give us a good game, but we ran into the same problem as Saturday night — three points. We were at the foul line 12 times and only came out with three points. Our boys play hard. We just need to find a way to finish.”
Gonsalves was joined by Faidley, and Encinas to score 10 points apiece in leading the Kapaa victory. Kamakana Gonzalez added seven points, and Moses Ho contributed six points.
Mayson Broyles topped the Waimea scoring on a game-high 14 points with Wade Pimsaguan and Eilon Jamoraban each adding nine marks in the effort.
During the junior varsity matchup, Waimea got long balls from Angelito Constantino-Angala, Damien Akita and Ty Tsukayama to pull out a 13-12 lead over the Kapaa JV in the first quarter.
The lead disappeared in the second quarter when Kapaa outgunned Waimea, 11-6, behind treys from Waika Rogers and Kala Rall en route to its 49-28 final that came from Rall leading the charge on 13 points and Akela Nu‘uhiwa-Gonda adding 10 points.
Tsukayama finished with eight points, and Akita ended with seven points to lead the Waimea effort.
Waimea next travels to the Kauai High School gym Saturday to meet up with the Red Raiders. The JV game starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by the varsity.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
