Lanning leads Hornets’ sweep

KALAHEO — The Westside Hornets exploded onto the county’s Under 14 Girls basketball season as Brytney Lanning notched a dozen points to lead their 44 – 4 win over the Lihu‘e Comets Wednesday night at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.

Despite a strong fifth and sixth period effort from In Yo’ Face, the Westside Hornets II held off the Wailua team’s challenge to take the second contest 17 – 13 with Hornet II forward Crystal Glover leading the attack on six points.

The Hornet II defense kept the In Yo’ Face scorers to minimal activity as Tiffany Ikeda-Simao was held to just a digit in the outing while Jodi Das was able to get a bucket in the fourth frame.

Ashley Ubongen, the petite guard for In Yo’ Face set the pace in the second period by breaking up a 0 – 0 stalemate and went on to notch high point honors for Wailua, finishing the night with eight points in the loss.

In Yo’ Face continued to build on Ubongen’s four-point second quarter as Jamilee Jiminez pulled them to a 6 – 4 bulge after two only to have Hornet II’s Whitney Cachero and Christina Banach answer in the third for a 9 – 6 halftime lead.

Earlier in the evening, Lanning’s effort was helped along with a pair of treys from guard Jaime Horikawa who finished the night with eight points along with Sasha Kaohi.

Cherilyn Kua’s strong defensive effort under the boards was enhanced by her six-point scoring as she and Lanning effectively sealed off the inside with Kierra Barba sweeping in to pick up any loose balls.

Naomi Taylor and Kathleen Cadiente each notched a basket for the Comets who also got strong play from Rachel Hamamura who tried to bull the Hornet defensive pressure, and Kelsie Cadiente’s hustle in dogging the Hornet guards.

Saturday’s games move to Kapa‘a High School when Kilauea opens against the Kapa‘a Mystics at 8:30 followed by Wailua taking on In Yo’ Face at 9:30.

The Mystics take on the Westside Hornets at 10:30, and Kilauea will meet the Westside Hornets II for the first time starting at 11:30 a.m.