High school sports enthusiasts take note: Saturday is your day. With the recent end of the 20-day strike between public school teachers and the state of Hawai’i, prep sports was given the okay to return to action. However, with the
High school sports enthusiasts take note: Saturday is your day.
With the recent end of the 20-day strike between public school teachers and the state of Hawai’i, prep sports was given the okay to return to action. However, with the end of the school year less than 25 days away, officials needed to find a way to squeeze as much competition as possible into a limited space.
That means that Saturdays get even busier, and today sets the bar. Consider it a decathlon of sorts.
You’ll have to rise early if you hope to get a jump on the day’s first event. Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation tennis players take the courts at Kiahuna Tennis Club for a practice round beginning at 8 a.m. The state qualifying matches are scheduled for next Saturday, May 12, at 8 a.m. as well, meaning this will serve as good practice for the morning-weary.
Incidentally, Kiahuna and Poipu Kai will host the preliminary rounds of the state tournament May 18-19. Semifinals and final action, however, has been moved to Oahu on Monday, May 21.
On your way back to the east side of the island – that’s where the afternoon and evening activity will be held – you can stop by Puakea Golf Course to check out the final 18 holes of the KIF Individual Qualifying tournament. The 36-hole event began last Saturday at the Princeville, where Kaua’i laid claim to many of the top spots.
Red Raider Casey Watabu holds the boys’ lead. Kaua’i’s Rachel Kyono – worth the stop herself – has a four-stroke lead in the girls’ competition.
Today’s round will determine 18 qualifiers – eight boys, 10 girls – for the state tournament May 12 on Maui.
Stay at Puakea as long as you like, but those interested in team sports should head up to Kapa’a High School around 1 p.m. for a baseball doubleheader.
In the first game since the strike hit on April 5, Kaua’i will battle the host Warriors. At 2-1, the Red Raiders hold the KIF lead. Kapa’a is just behind at 2-2. The records, coupled with the severely-shortened season – May 9 is the only other regular-season date on the schedule – puts considerable pressure on Saturday’s double dip.
A Kaua’i sweep will secure the KIF crown for the Red Raiders. A Kapa’a sweep will put it in control. A split and a Waimea win on Wednesday would give all a 3-3 record. In other words, nothing is yet in stone.
If you can stomach five hours of baseball after the tennis and golf, good for you, but you’ve got one round left in Saturday’s metaphorical boxing match.
And if March 30 was any indication, there could be fireworks when Kaua’i travels to Kapa’a for a 6:30 p.m. girls’ basketball battle. In the teams’ first meeting, a Misty Hug layup with under three seconds remaining broke a 47-47 tie, giving the Red Raiders (2-0 KIF) the win.
After falling 36-32 to Waimea Thursday night, the Warriors are 0-3 and looking to get on track before the start of the season-ending round-robin tournament May 12. The Menehunes (2-1) will be rooting for Kapa’a; a Warrior win coupled with a Waimea victory over Kaua’i May 8 would force a playoff to determine the KIF regular-season champ.
Better start sipping that coffee. It’s going to be a long day.
