KAPA’A – The Kaua’i High School Red Raiders took a critical 53-37 victory home from the Bernice Hundley, but not before having to overcome a series of plagues to set the stage for another critical Red Raider game when they
KAPA’A – The Kaua’i High School Red Raiders took a critical 53-37 victory home from the Bernice Hundley, but not before having to overcome a series of plagues to set the stage for another critical Red Raider game when they travel to the Clem Gomes Gym to face the Menehune.
Coach Matt Taba had his entire coaching staff and varsity squad in the audience until the final minute of play as a testiment to the significance of the upcoming Friday night battle.
Turnovers, empty bombs from 3-pointland, and a persistent Kapa’a High School Warrior defense kept the Kaua’i Red Raiders sputtering until the final 5 minutes of play before unleashing an offensive barrage that was ignited by a critical trey from Koa Navarro at the 5:19 mark.
Raider guard Alec Reichle sizzled the free throw stripe, going 9-for-10 in that final five minute period. Reichle ended the night with a game-high 18 points.
Futi Tavana followed in the Red Raider scoring with a 15-point showing, the center’s most fruitful production coming from feeds from the outside guards.
The Kapa’a Warriors produced all of their first-half score on field goals, and brought the contest to a Warrior lead as Clesson Higashi deadlocked the contest 14-all at the 3-minute mark.
A Ryan Cram bucket put Kapa’a up 16-14, only to have Tavana deadlock the contest on a Warren Lee feed.
Navarro closed the night with 9 points followed by Lee and Kaupili Akau each chipping in five markers.
Rodney Sagucio rounded out the math with a digit.
Kaylan Dolor fired for 5 fourth quarter points enroute to lead the Warrior scoring with a 9-point night, followed by Brandon Wong’s 7-point contribution, 5 coming in the final period.
Randy Vicoy contributed 6 points, everything coming in the fourth period, with Cram adding 5 before fouling out.
Rodrick and Jonny Poe-Ho’oikaika added 3 points each, and Bryan Domingo and Kahua Hollinger each notched a pair in the loss.
Kaua’i will travel to Waimea on Friday to kick off the final round of KIF basketball at the Clem Gomes Gym.
The JV game tips off at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity contest to follow 20 minutes following the completion of the JV matchup.
