LIHU`E – Waimea’s Jennifer Fukino, with 1:11 showing on the game clock, pulled the trigger for the final Menehune go-ahead 43-42, and Erica Iwai, with just 35 seconds left, iced the 45-42 win as the Menehunes warded off a serious
LIHU`E – Waimea’s Jennifer Fukino, with 1:11 showing on the game clock, pulled
the trigger for the final Menehune go-ahead 43-42, and Erica Iwai, with just 35
seconds left, iced the 45-42 win as the Menehunes warded off a serious Red
Raider threat to win their final KIF game this year.
Fukino and Iwai ended
the night with high point honors for Waimea, netting 16 and 15 points
respectively.
Handicapped with two Raiders entering the gym on crutches,
Kaua`i relied on the step-up playing of Erin Garlie who entered the game with
1:47 left in the first quarter, and never left until racking up high point
honors on 16 game points.
But, the Raiders were held to just three field
goals in the entire first half before exploding to a 32-27 second half as Cissy
Dennis finally found the mark and chalked up 11 points including a fourth
quarter trey.
Mediocre free throw shooting (4-for-12 in the first half)
didn’t help as Waimea went 1-for-2 in the same period. Overall, the Raiders
went 7-for-20 in the game while the Menehunes were 6-for-16.
Banking behind
the scoring of Fukino and Iwai, the Menehunes quickly bult a 6-1 lead while
holding the Raiders to just a single point for the first seven minutes of
play.
But, the Raiders chipped away on sputtering free throws for the first
half.
Point exchanges and close quarter defense continued for six minutes
of the third frame until the Raiders capitalize on the awakening of Dennis who,
along with Garlie, rapid fired three quick goals for their first lead 24-23,
26-23 with less than two minutes in the quarter.
Fukino missed a free
throw, but secured her own rebound and capitalized on the play to pull the
Menehunes to within a digit 25-26 at the buzzer.
Robyn Ho`opi`i Manuel tied
the game for Waimea with half of a one-and-one with Fukino sweeping in for the
rebound and score off the missed free throw for a 28-26 go ahead early in the
final period.
Misty Hug answered in kind for the Raiders to deadlock the
contest 28-28.
The ensuing point exchanges had the Menehunes with
the slight advantage, but with 1:22 showing, Dennis’ 3-pointer, her second of
the night, pulled the Raiders out 42-41 only to have Fukino take control with
1:11 left.
The Raiders travel to the Bernice Hundley Gym on Friday night
where they will close off the season against the Lady Warriors. JV tipoff is
scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Scoring by quarters
Waimea 8 11 6
21 45
Kaua`i 5 5 16 16 42
Waimea Scoring: Jennifer
Fukino 16, Erica Iwai 15, Kailana Soto 4, Ashley Hori 2, Jodi Kimura 2, Melody
Manuel 4, Robyn Hoopii Manuel 3, Melissa Bartlett 0.
Kaua`i Scoring:
Misty Hug 5, Kara Matsunaga 4, Erin Garlie 16, Cissy Dennis 11, Elisa Inouye 4,
Kehau Regidor 2.
