KALAHEO — A 13-4 final period scoring run by the Wailua A’s netted them their first lead of the game with 30 seconds showing Tuesday night at the county’s 14 Under Girls Basketball action at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center. Guard
KALAHEO — A 13-4 final period scoring run by the Wailua A’s netted them their first lead of the game with 30 seconds showing Tuesday night at the county’s 14 Under Girls Basketball action at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center. Guard Kira Nakamura swished the twine for the go-ahead, 34-33 as Waimea B&G’s free throws came up empty, and the ensuing rebound attempt also netted air for the Wailua A victory that came amidst loud hoots of joy and applause.
The girls in green under coach Talbert Tacbian battled through four periods but never gave up despite a Waimea lead that hit a dozen points at one point in the match. With 1:32 showing, Leilani Laranio’s field goal pulled Wailua to within a digit, 33-32 as Wailua erased the Waimea lead with a 5-3 fifth period showing while the defense sparked by Mai‘lika Napoleon held the Waimea gunners at bay.
Laranio topped the scorebooks with a game-high 13 points in their win with Gabrielle Matayoshi adding eight. Napoleon finished with five, Chelsie Villatora and Nakamura each netted three, and a pair by Emmalia Donigan rounded out the Wailua scoring.
Natalie Mata topped the Waimea scoring with a dozen points, but it was the 11-point contribution from Kayla Werner that played heavily as the girls in blue posted a 22-12 halftime lead, Werner netting seven points in the first half. Lorrine Lagoc, Chaelyn Briones, and Saniola Pahulehua each chipped in three, and a pair from guard Jayme Jacinto rounded out the Waimea math. Balanced scoring from four On Fire shooters led the Billy Ramos squad to a 34-21 showing over the Lihu‘e Comets in the opener of the Tuesday twinbill.
Kori Sakamoto led On Fire with seven followed by Sera Pascual, Sanoe Keliinoi, and Kierra Barba each adding six points apiece in the win. Joana Andres finished with four, Brandi Gomes chipped in three, and a pair from Ashlyn Ubongen accounted for the On Fire math. Kathleen Cadiente had five of her game-total nine points in the final stanza as the Comets outgunned On Fire, 9-2, but the effort fell short at the buzzer. Sister Kelsey Cadiente followed with six first-half points with Chara Cabreros finishing with four points, all coming in the sixth period. A pair from J. Mariane closed the Comets’ books.
