• Must see action taking place Must see action taking place By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island Many of you are watching something very special unfold this season in KIF girls’ basketball. All three teams have a chance
• Must see action taking place
Must see action taking place
By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island
Many of you are watching something very special unfold this season in KIF girls’ basketball.
All three teams have a chance to win it all and the Menehune took a step forward in the race.
But according to Waimea head coach Elton Montemayor, the race is just about to begin.
“It’s going to be a dog fight until the end and I would definitely say that every team has a chance to win the title this season,” Montemayor said.
In fact the other two head coaches, Dennis Aquino of Kaua‘i and Gary Kodani of Kapa‘a have similiar opinions.
“Although we lost tonight (Friday night), it’s a whole new season on Tuesday and that’s all we can do now is just look ahead and be positive,” Kodani said.
The defending champion Red Raider squad still has a chance too, and Aquino is quick to say that his team is not going to go away easily.
“We lost a lot of seniors last season, but the way our youth resonds is our key, but it’s anybody’s game,” Aquino said.
Youth is definitely playing a big part in the league this season, but the veterans are also getting their piece of the pie as well.
Waimea senior Mallorie Hepa, who is still not up to 100after suffering a knee injury during the off-season, has been a sweet surprise for the Menehune.
Hepa is one of the leading scorers for Waimea, but more importantly, the 5’9″ forward has been a great leader for the young Menehune squad.
In addition to Hepa, fellow senior Jessica Jacinto (1/3 of the Jacinto clan on the team), has quietly put up solid numbers and Melissa Moreno has also given Waimea quality minutes.
Juniors Lexine Valenciano and Joanna Jacinto have played awesome so far in their supporting cast roles.
But when Waimea needs the firepower, they turn to sophomore Moani Durant and freshman point guard Josey Jacinto.
The two underclassmen are the oils for the Menehune machine. Durant, a wirery thin swingman, plays tough with and without the ball. It almost seems that the ball gravitates towards her. The freethrow she hit to win the game against the Red Raiders last Tuesday, was the biggest shot of her life and it turned out to be what ignited the Menehune magic this past Friday.
Jacinto, a quick point guard, who can pass, dribble, and shoot, will be one of the best players in the league in the coming years. She plays well beyond her freshman status and nothing seems to rattle her.
The Warriors, who started off the season with the green light, suddenly got the red light on Friday, with their second straight loss.
Call it what you want, but according to head coach Gary Kodani, the losses have nothing to do with the play of his girls.
“To me, when we win, it’s because of my players, but if we lose, it’s because of coaching and I take full responsibility for the losses,” Kodani said.
The Warriors definitely have the talent to take them to new heights, but the lack of execution and intensity are the two biggest reasons, for their fall in the past two contests. Kapa‘a has a wellrounded squad with both size and speed. What the single senior team lacks is a leader. Lone senior Samdi Makepa is a leader by example and when she doesn’t play well, her teammates usually follow her lead.
At the guard spots, April Johnson, Kennilyn Nakamura, Joliann Arzadon, and Kieren Pond should bounce back and tear it up in the second round.
In the middle, the Warriors are glad to have junior Danielle Creamer back, along with the steady play of both Poe Gantt and Brittney Carvalho, whose father, Bernard was a terrific multi-sport athlete.
And don’t count the Red Raiders out just yet. Ulu Kelekoma, Sherri Gebauer, and Rachel Taira are dangerous competitors. Unluckily for Kaua‘i though, is the loss of senior A.J. Silva (leg injury), who brought toughness to the game for the Red Raiders. Darcie Allianic and Ho‘onani Dennis are steady performers who put in solid minutes.
The three teams share the same goal and if the first round was any indication of how the second round will be, then you’re in for a treat. It’s good to see the gyms packed at KIF girls’ basketball games. As the first round went along, the contests got better and better, which is a tribute to the exciting action taking place. Don’t miss out, you still got a whole ‘nother round!
