LIHU‘E — 66 was the magic number last night at the Raiderdome in the KIF basketball opener between Kapa‘a and Kaua‘i. The Red Raider JV squad used 66 points to beat the Warriors and the varsity squad duplicated that number
LIHU‘E — 66 was the magic number last night at the Raiderdome in the KIF basketball opener between Kapa‘a and Kaua‘i. The Red Raider JV squad used 66 points to beat the Warriors and the varsity squad duplicated that number to complete the Red Raider sweep.
Leading the way for Kaua‘i was senior center Futi Tavana, who was unstoppable from start to finish. In the fourth quarter, Tavana put up four three-point plays for a total of 22 points to lead all scorers.
From the beginning of the game, it was evident that the Warriors were overmatched, but that didn’t stop them from clawing back throughout the game.
Kaua‘i’s full-court press was just too tough for the Warriors and after one quarter of play, the Red Raiders were up 15-6, thanks to Kekoa Crowell and Tavana, who both combined for nine first quarter points.
In the second stanza, Kaua‘i continued to sustain its lead, as point-guard Jeremy Manuel’s coast to coast drive gave the Red Raiders a 25-13 advantage at the half. Amini Ta‘ufo‘ou led Kapa‘a in the first half with three points.
Tavana and Kapa‘a’s Kaylan Dolor traded buckets throughout the third period, but it was Kaua‘i sophomore Jordan Cox with the last bucket of the third quarter off a Matt Palaroan miss for the 41-24 lead.
Tavana proved to be a menace in the paint in the fourth, scoring most of his 22 points in the final period play. In JV action, Basil Walton played his best Futi Tavana impression with 18 points, which led Kaua‘i in a 66-48 romp. Devin Tavana and Nikko Tacsiat followed Walton with 11 and eight points each. Kapa‘a was led by Coty Salausa with 16 points, Albert Aguila with 13, and John Berales with seven.
KIF Basketball High Scorers
Kaua‘i
Futi Tavana: 22 points
Jeremy Manuel: 9 points
Kekoa Crowell: 5 points
Matt Palaroan: 4 points
Kevin Downing: 3 points
Clesson Lee: 3 points
Josh Bradbury: 3 points
Jordan Cox: 4 points
Kapa‘a
Kaylan Dolor: 14 points
Junnel Calpito: 6 points
Chris Ramelb: 5 points
Kiah Imai: 4 points
Manolito Pescador: 4 points
3-pointers: Dolor (2), Lee.
