WAIMEA – The Red Raiders staged consecutive second-half road comebacks to pull into a tie atop the KIF Junior Varsity boys basketball standings with the Waimea Menehunes at 2 wins 1 loss after a thrilling 46-42 victory Friday night at
WAIMEA – The Red Raiders staged consecutive second-half road comebacks to pull into a tie atop the KIF Junior Varsity boys basketball standings with the Waimea Menehunes at 2 wins 1 loss after a thrilling 46-42 victory Friday night at the Clem Gomes Gym.
The Menehunes jumped out to a 12-8 first quarter lead on the strength of Casey Kaohelauliis quick offensive start (3 baskets) and maintained their four point lead into intermission.
Sophomore guard Andres Emayo dropped 6 points in the second frame including a long trey to extend the Menehune lead after the Raiders had cut it to a point.
Freshman post player Futi Tavana led the Raider comeback with 3 successful third period bank shots which helped push the Raiders ahead 37-33 going into the final period.
With Kauai platooning to keep fresh players on the floor and both squads playing full court hard-nosed defense, neither could mount an offensive threat until Akeem Allen’s power lay-up off a teammate’s miss brought Waimea to 37-35 with 5:31 to play.
Justin Kashiwabaras steal and length-of-the-court lay-up pushed the Raider lead again to four.
An Allen free throw cut into the lead and a Kaohelaulii goal off a Jeremy Manuel dish left the home team down one.
Emayo dropped 2 free throws to give the Menehunes their final leadof 40-39 with 3:22 left.
Tavana powered for two turn-around goals to reclaim a 3-point Raider edge but a twisting Emayo lay-up through dense traffic cut it to 43-42 at the 1:05 mark. Unfortunately for the hosts, he fouled out seconds later and the Menehunes lost their offensive leader.
Coach Buzzy Cox’s Raiders added 2 more points via the free throw line to increase their lead to 45-42 and Kevin Cadientes huge steal with :03 to go sealed the win for the visitors. A Kashiwabara free throw in the final second proved to be the final difference, leaving the Raiders in a dead heat with Waimea for island junior varsity basketball supremacy.
Tavana led the victors with 14 points (10 in the second half) while Waimeas Emayo led all scorers with 15.
