The Kapa’a Warriors weren’t going to let their second-half meltdown against the Waimea Menehunes last week happen again. The Warriors, up by only one point at the half, outscored the Kaua’i Red Raiders 34-26 in the two final periods to
The Kapa’a Warriors weren’t going to let their second-half meltdown against the Waimea Menehunes last week happen again.
The Warriors, up by only one point at the half, outscored the Kaua’i Red Raiders 34-26 in the two final periods to win a loud and crucial second round game at Bernice Hundley Gymnasium.
The final score: 58-49.
The win moves the Warriors to within one game of the KIF Championship. If they beat the Menehunes at Clem Gomes Gym this Friday, they will be heading to the HHSAA State Championships.
The Red Raiders, who could have clinched the second round last night, need the Menehunes to win on Friday to remain in playoff contention.
Kanoe Arinaga lit up the floor for the Warriors, scoring 16 points along with one steal and one block. The Raiders were led by Belinda Butac’s 17 points, whose three consecutive three-pointers put hope in a Raider comeback in the fourth. Delsa Tavana added 10 points for Kaua’i, along with nine rebounds and four blocks (enough to become a member of the Raider fan section’s SWAT team).
The Warriors also got 11 points from forward Tania Tasic, and nine points from guard Sharlene Carillo.
Despite committing seven turnovers in the first period, the Red Raiders hit key shots, including a sweet assist from Butac to Erin Garlie in the final seconds, to trail only by two (14-12) heading into the second quarter.
The Raider’s turnover woes continued through the second (committing six in the period), but the Warriors offense couldn’t penetrate inside.
At least not with Raider forward Delsa Tavana underneath the hoop. Tavana sent three emphatic blocks to the stands in the quarter (four in total), to help keep the score close.
But two Jasmine Stevenson free-throws and a bucket from Tasic put the Warriors up 24-23 at half.
Kapa’a lit it up in the third quarter. They outscored the Raiders 16-9 in the period, with crucial buckets from Carillo, Arinaga and Ihilani Yama, to take a definitive 40-32 lead heading into the final period.
It was all she wrote by then. Despite a number of incredible treys from Butac and Holly Iloreta, the Warriors played smart through the fourth and sealed the victory. One more win over the Menehunes, and the 2002 KIF season is theirs.
For the Warriors, Stevenson had eight points, seven rebounds, one steal; Yama had six points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal; Danielle Hill had six points, four rebounds, one steal; Tasic added four rebounds and one assist to her 11 points; Carillo notched three steals, one rebound, one assist with her nine points; Tescilly Macguire had one rebound.
For the Raiders, Alexis Nawai had six points (two treys), two rebounds; Tania Racelo had six points, two rebounds, two steals; Garlie had six points, five rebounds; Kehau Regidor had one point, three rebounds, one assist; Amber Santos had two points; Kelly Dennis had one rebound, one assist; Krystalyn Kashiwabara had one rebound.
