Red Raiders claw back to subdue WHS

enehunes lose command in fourth quarter, 47-42By NICK ABRAMO

TGI Sports Editor

WAIMEA — Who wants it?

The Kaua’i Interscholastic

Federation varsity basketball title — as usual — is up for grabs.

The

front-running Kaua’i High Red Raiders are in the best position, especially

after their 47-42 come-from-behind victory over the Waimea Menehunes Friday

night in Waimea.

The Menehunes led throughout most of the second half until

Kaua’i pecked away at the lead in the fourth quarter to gain the coveted prize

of victory.

Kaua’i, the KIF’s first-round champion, improved to 5-1 overall

and 1-0 in the second round.

Waimea dropped to 2-4, but is still very much

alive at 1-1 in the second round.

Another big KIF showdown is set for

Tuesday night at the Raiderdome when the Kapa’a Warriors (2-3 overall, 0-1 in

second round) visit Kaua’i.

Kaua’i High showed it meant business in the

first quarter and took a 13-8 lead against the overzealous, out-of-control

Menehunes.

Guard Brandon Ramos poured in all of his seven points in the

game in the opening quarter for the Raiders, while teammate Mason Ceria lit up

for two outside jumpers.

Ceria, who confidently hit from all over the court

all night, ended up with a game-high 16 points.

Raider go-to-guy Brad

Lum-Tucker got in foul trouble early, and was forced to spend more time on the

bench than usual.

Outside hoops from Ceria, R-Jay Pillos and Jason

Kashiwabara helped Kaua’i make it 21-12 midway through the second

period.

Waimea began to show signs of life as Chesley Barba scored from

underneath on a pass from Gilroy Castro. Barba then hit Sam Bustillos for a

fast-break lay-up to push the Menehunes closer — 23-18 — at the half.

A

weaving Barba lay-up, an Erese breakaway lay-up from Nikko Naumu and an Erese

three-point bomb put the Menehunes ahead 26-23 early in the third.

Erese

and Gilroy Castro hit from the outside late in the period to give Waimea a

34-27 edge.

Lum-Tucker swished in a 10-footer early in the fourth and

Lionel Tomacder took a pass from R-Jay Pillos for another hoop. Ceria’s inside

hoop on a feed from Lum-Tucker tied it up 35-35.

The lead switched back and

forth several times until Ceria’s gliding drive and 18-foot baseline hoop gave

Kaua’i a 45-42 edge with 51 seconds to go, and the Raiders were able to hang on

to the win from there.