KALAHEO — Kennilyn Nakamura had a game-high 20 points to lead Wailua to a 39-35 win over the Kaua‘i Fire Raiders Monday night at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center as the KYBA celebrated the Fourth of July with a trio of
KALAHEO — Kennilyn Nakamura had a game-high 20 points to lead Wailua to a 39-35 win over the Kaua‘i Fire Raiders Monday night at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center as the KYBA celebrated the Fourth of July with a trio of games.
Nakamura grabbed the spotlight early with a pair from three-pointland, a trio of buckets, and a charity point to lead Wailua in their 17-4 first quarter run.
But, the Kaua‘i Fire Raiders answered in the second period by turning the tables with a 16-2 response, the coach Brian Inouye squad being led by four points from Mei Ling Keopuhiwa, a three-point bomb from Sanoe Keliinoi, three from Wailana Borrero, and pairs from Tristan Rosare, Carie Inouye, and Lauren James while holding Wailua to a sole Nakamura bucket for a 20-19 halftime lead.
Nakamura and Roselyn Ebinger led Wailua to a 10-4 third frame, the green-garbed duo combining for eight of Wailua’s showing while the Fire Raiders were held to a pair of field goals from Inouye.
Paced by a pair from three-pointland by Keliinoi, the Fire Raiders answered with an 11-10 final frame effort, but fell short at the buzzer as they succumbed to the Wailua height advantage and defensive hustle, Wailua being led by Mai‘lika Napoleon’s five points much to the delight of fan Kori Sakamoto who was cheering on the player’s efforts alongside Keliinoi’s father, Gino, who urged on the Lihu‘e comeback effort. Following Nakamura and Napoleon, Wailua finished with Ebinger’s four points, three markers each from Leilani Laranio and Emma Donigan, and a pair from Eliza Vicoy. Keliinoi and Inouye topped the Fire Raiders with nine points each followed by Keopuhiwa’s seven, and Borrero finishing with three. Rosare, James, and KC Gaitos each closed with a pair, and a digit from Tamalyn Hasegawa rounded out the Fire Raiders’ effort.
Ulu Kelekoma posted a game-high 19 points to lead three Lihu‘e Raiders in double-digit scoring as they scorched the Eastside Gurlz, 61-5, the Gurlz getting four points from Grecean Manuel and a marker from Becka Duncan.
Sherrie Gebauer finished with 18, and Cherisse Rapozo closed on a 13-point note to round out the blitz as Kassey Morishige posted six points and Tahnee Shigematsu rounded out the math on four points.
In the third contest of the evening, Da Malahinis outlasted the Go Go Girls in overtime, 23-18. Moani Durant sparked Da Malahinis with 10 points. Kieren Pond lighted up the scoreboards for the Go Go Girls with five.
