KALAHEO — Desmond Rodrigues captained, and Aukai Dennis shot as the Westsiders chiseled out a 45-40 win over the Southside Boys Thursday night. Rodrigues, who was instrumental in controlling the tempo of the championship game, worked with deft passing and
KALAHEO — Desmond Rodrigues captained, and Aukai Dennis shot as the Westsiders chiseled out a 45-40 win over the Southside Boys Thursday night.
Rodrigues, who was instrumental in controlling the tempo of the championship game, worked with deft passing and positioning around the perimeter, staying just ahead of Southside in the waning minutes of the contest.
Rodrigues finished the game with 10 points in the win while Dennis notched 12 of his game-total 19 points in the second half as the Westsiders, working with substitute coaches Maynard Shea and Charlie Ortiz, held Southside to just three shooters making their mark while effectively working the clock and taking the high percentage shots.
Southside, who had just rebounded with three of their key players returning from a mainland volleyballl series, suffered again as Tab Matsumoto was restricted to doing scorekeeping duties after suffering an injury in their playoff game Tuesday night.
Kawika Hepa was ejected in the second quarter after vocalizing the officials, his contribution held to four points as the Westsiders capitalized on this incident to pull ahead on four of the six free throws from the double technical fouls.
Jeremy Manuel finished with a game-high 20 points for Southside at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, 11 coming in the second half.
Futi Tavana, restricted to just a pair in the first half, exploded for 14 second-half points to finish with 16 markers while Hepa rounded out the Southside offensive showing with his four.
Akeem Allen’s inside posture saw nine points in the night with Jordan Shea icing the win with a pair in his four-point showing.
Alden Lahip rounded out the Westside scoring with a trio in the second quarter.
Lihu‘e Kings 48, Northshore 46
Kaupili Akau and Aren Racca combined for 29 points as the Kings came back from a 23-19 halftime deficit to take third place with a 46-48 win over a tenacious Northshore.
Kaylen Dolor ripped a pair of treys in the second quarter as Northshore took a 4-point advantage at the half, but was held to just a pair in the second half as Kahua Hollinger came up with six fourth-quarter marks enroute to finishing with a game-total 14 points to lead the Northshore scoring.
Brandon Wong came up with six third quarter points to join Dolor with ten-point contributions in the loss with Mike Lindsey and Randy Vicoy each adding six points in the loss.
Akau picked up 11 points in the second quarter before finishing with a game-high 19 points for the Kings.
Akau ended the night with 10 points followed by Kaleo Perez and Matt Palaroan each adding five points apiece, Palaroan taking a key field goal late in the game.
Kekoa Crowell added four, Alec Reichle finished with three, and a pair by Kamu Kawaihalau rounded out the Kings’ victory.
