WAIMEA — The four year drought is finally over for Kaua‘i High School. The Red Raiders defeated Waimea for the first time in four years last night in front of a packed Clem Gomes Gymnasium, 55-41. Senior center Futi Tavana
WAIMEA — The four year drought is finally over for Kaua‘i High School. The Red Raiders defeated Waimea for the first time in four years last night in front of a packed Clem Gomes Gymnasium, 55-41.
Senior center Futi Tavana fought through a tough first half and a tough Waimea scheme to lead the way for Kaua‘i with 24 points. Point guard Jeremy Manuel followed Tavana with 11 points and Josh Bradbury found the net for 10 markers.
The Menehune played tough thanks to guards Chad Barba, Alden Lahip, Aaron Hesapene, and Brendan McDaniels. Barba led the way for the Menehune with 14 points. Max Hadwin and Chris Newcomb both put up six points for Waimea.
With a 27-20 halftime lead, the Red Raiders found the right mix to pull away early in the third quarter. Tavana controlled the boards and gave Kaua‘i a 34-20 lead with six straight points. The 6’8″ center then followed with four more points towards the end of the third.
Kaua‘i continued to outplay the Menehune early in the fourth quarter with Manuel leading the way, but Waimea’s Hadwin had the hot hand and drained two straight 10-foot jumpers to pull Waimea within striking distance at 41-30. But Tavana and the Red Raiders proved to be too tough on this night with the 55-41 victory.
Vincent Vea’s 12 points and Daniel Lizama’s 10 markers led the Waimea JV squad to a 52-47 come from behind win. At one point, the Menehune trailed by 20 in the second half, but they never gave up and stole the game from the Red Raiders. Tyrus Ceria-Lux, Jonathan Gebauer, and Jeremy Robinson put up nine points each for Kaua‘i.
KIF basketball continues on Tuesday, Jan. 11, with Waimea traveling to Kapa‘a to face the Warriors. The JV game starts it off at 5:30 p.m., with varsity action following 20 minutes later.
