KALAHEO — Janna Soto came up with 13 points Monday night, ten key points in the second half, as Da Malahini wrapped up the championship for the KYBA 19 Under girls, 27-22. “The key was stopping Ulu (Kelekoma),” said Da
KALAHEO — Janna Soto came up with 13 points Monday night, ten key points in the second half, as Da Malahini wrapped up the championship for the KYBA 19 Under girls, 27-22.
“The key was stopping Ulu (Kelekoma),” said Da Malahini coach Fernando Constantino following their victory over the top seeded Lihu‘e Raiders before a good-sized crowd at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Kelekoma, who earned the King Auto Center Athlete of the Month for her prowess on the court, was dogged by Malahini Natalie Mata for most of the second half, and limited to just three points that came late in the final quarter.
But, while Kelekoma was tied up, Soto bulled her way to the inside as Da Malahini outshot the Raiders, 11-3 in the final period to break two quarters of stalemate basketball.
The Raiders were also plagued by a slew of “doughnuts” on the court as they launched a plethora of shot attempts, but, as one spectator noted, “No luck, tonight” as a cover over the ring kept the frame empty for the girls in red.
Da Malahini jumped out to an early lead only to have Kelekoma lead the Raiders to a 7-4 second quarter to knot things up, 13-13 at the half. That was followed by a 6-6 third quarter which ended 19-19, both squads intensive in their defense.
What followed was Soto leading Da Malahini with five fourth quarter points while the Raiders stalled, a 1-for-7 free throw performance an indicator of their frustrating quarter that ended with only Kelekoma able to mark the scorebooks.
Ironically, both Soto and Kelekoma finished with 13 points each to lead their respective teams. Mata, Moani Durant, and Melissa Moreno each chipped in four points with Joanna Jacinto and Tiana Samio adding a digit apiece in the championship.
Rachel Taira added four points for the Raiders, Kassey Morishige and Cherisse Rapozo were each limited to a pair, and Darcie Allianic’s digit rounded out the Lihu‘e performance.
Earlier in the evening, 12 Under Supersonic Kori Sakamoto predicted an explosive Westside Hornet second half which saw Westside outgun the Gogo Girls, 25-10 to wrap up third place behind a pair of Ashleys — Mier and Vea who led the attack with eight second-half points apiece in their 44-29 victory.
Brittney Carvalho’s tough inside play led the Gogo Girls’ productive first half with 10 of her game-high 13 points.
Michelle Toy and Poe Gantt added four points each for Kapa‘a, Samdi Makepa and Ihi Yama finishing with a pair apiece, and April Johnson’s digit rounding out the effort. Ashley Vea finished with 13 points, Ashley Mier added 11 to lead the Hornets followed by Tehane Andaya adding six, and Lani Kanahele chipping in five. Virginia Aguilar was limited to three, and pairs by Tori Kagawa and Meredith Hudson rounding out the math.
