LIHU‘E — She didn’t even want the ball when it came down to the game’s last shot, but it didn’t matter because Kaua‘i’s Rachel “Eagle Eye” Taira threw a shot up that touched every part of the rim, which eventually
LIHU‘E — She didn’t even want the ball when it came down to the game’s last shot, but it didn’t matter because Kaua‘i’s Rachel “Eagle Eye” Taira threw a shot up that touched every part of the rim, which eventually swirled in for the 41-41 tie as the buzzer sounded.
“I really didn’t think we’d win after being down with only a few seconds to go, but when I got the ball at the top of key, I just prayed for it to go in,” Taira said.
The 5’4″ junior practices her accurate jumper all the way through the night at her home in Lihu‘e. And tonight, it may have her out on the biggest shot of her life.
“She’s the only one on our team that’s got the green light; she’s just a great shooter and we wanted the ball in her hands in the end,” Kaua‘i head coach Dennis Aquino said.
After the momentum shifted towards the home crowd at the Raiderdome, Kaua‘i controlled the rest of the game, as Ulu Kelekoma, Tamayn Hasegawa, and Ho‘onani Dennis put the final nails in the coffin for the 49-43 victory in overtime last night, which gave the Red Raiders the second round title and a shot at the Menehune in the championship game.
“To tell you the truth, I really didn’t think we’d win tonight, because we just fell behind too much too late, but I just can’t believe the way we came back,” Aquino said.
With its head coach out sick, Kapa‘a assistants filled the gap and gave the Warriors every opportunity for the win.
After coming back from as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter, the Warriors, led by Poe Gantt, Brittney Carvalho, Kennilyn Nakamura, and Michelle Toy, chipped away ever so slightly at the Red Raider lead.
WIth just under four minutes to go, Carvalho’s tough 10-foot jumper gave the Warriors their first lead of the game at 36-35.
The game swayed back and forth with the battle at the charity stripe flaring up.
Taira had a chance to win the game with 10 seconds to go, but her attempt rimmed out and Carvalho was fouled and converted 1-2 from the line.
It’s not often that you get a second chance at a buzzer beater, but “Eagle Eye” made the best of her second shot and sinked it, which erupted the Raiderdome crowd.
“This win is great for the girls, but bad for my heart,” Aquino said with a short laugh after the game.
Taira led the way with 15 points and Kelekoma pitched in with 13 markers. Carvalho led Kapa‘a with 12 points and Gantt contributed with 11.
In the JV contest, Kapa‘a got back into the win column with a 48-33 win over the Red Raiders.
Leilani Laranio continued her assault on the scoring books with 14 big points. Sophomore guard Sarah Tangalin netted 11 points in the win.
Carie Inouye led Kaua‘i with nine points and Nicole Fujimoto put up six in the loss.
