KALAHEO — Mai‘lika Napolean’s second effort at the buzzer completed the Wailua A’s comeback Tuesday night as coach Talbert Tacbian’s girls in green wrapped up a 24-22 win over the Lihu‘e Comets. Spurred on by Kathleen Cadiente’s hot hand, the
KALAHEO — Mai‘lika Napolean’s second effort at the buzzer completed the Wailua A’s comeback Tuesday night as coach Talbert Tacbian’s girls in green wrapped up a 24-22 win over the Lihu‘e Comets.
Spurred on by Kathleen Cadiente’s hot hand, the Comets rushed out to a 7-2 opening frame before Wailua answered with a 4-2 run in the second period.
A third period 4-4 deadlock saw the Comets take a 13-10 advantage at the half before Wailua exploded for six points while holding the Comets scoreless in the fourth period, Napolean leading the charge with four of Wailua’s six-point performance and a 16-13 advantage.
The seesaw battle continued in the fifth frame with Kathleen Cadiente again stalemating the contest at the 3:36 mark followed by sister Kelsey’s field goal that pulled the Comets ahead. But, Wailua wouldn’t relent and a bucket by guard Kira Nakamura, her only score in the game, knotted up the contest at the buzzer, 20-20.
The stalemate continued into the final period as the clock ticked down, both teams exchanging fruitless attempts from the free throw lines and employing strong defensive pressure on each other until Napolean pulled Wailua out of the fray on her second effort on a Nakamura drive up the lane as the clock ran out of time.
“They played well, and they never gave up. That’s all you can ask for.”
Wailua A has been scraping victories in this fashion for the past several weeks, adding excitement for the contingent of parents who, at one point in the game, were using their shoes and sandals to add to their support of the girls by tapping on the metal bleachers.
Napolean topped the Wailua A scoring with an eight-point night followed by guard Leilani Laranio finishing with six. Lehua McCabe contributed a number of rebounds and four points with Chelsie Villatora, Nakamura, and Emmalia Donigan each adding a pair in the win.
Kathleen Cadiente finished with a game-high 13 points for the Comets with sister Kelsey adding six.
Lauren James added a pair and a digit from Kira Taylon rounded out the Lihu‘e math.
Kierra Barba fired 16 points and Ashlyn Ubongen added a dozen markers as the Lihu‘e On Fire chalked up a 47-19 win over the Wailua B in the Tuesday nightcap.
Joana Andres broke away for nine points with Aiko Grande putting away eight points, and a pair from Krystle Pasado figured in the On Fire win.
Britney Toguchi and Kira Kupihea led the Wailua B effort with four points apiece followed by Ashlyn Lee contributing three markers, with great first half hustle in that accounted for several key Wailua rebounds.
Gabby Sakai threaded heavy traffic for a pair along with Lynsi Nakamura, Christin Toguchi, and Victoria Tuttle also notching pairs in the effort.
