WAIMEA — Just as if a bad movie preview gets two thumbs down, so to did the performance last night of the Menehune, who fell apart in the second half with a 47-29 defeat to the Red Raiders, who finished
WAIMEA — Just as if a bad movie preview gets two thumbs down, so to did the performance last night of the Menehune, who fell apart in the second half with a 47-29 defeat to the Red Raiders, who finished off the second round with four straight wins.
“The third quarter is our achilles heel and we just have to come out with more energy in the second half, but we have to give credit where credit is due and Kaua‘i played well,” Waimea head coach Elton Montemayor said.
But the game was basically meaningless, as the Red Raiders locked up the second round with a win against the Warriors on Friday night. Despite the loss, Waimea was also the beneficiaries of the all-important coin toss, which turned out to be a Menehune break and set the stage for Monday night title matchup with Kaua‘i at the Clem Gomes Gymnasium at 7 p.m.
“This is the first coin toss I’ve won, so that’s good, but I’d rather play away because we seem to lose focus and relax at home,” Montemayor said.
The Menehune will have to defeat the Red Raiders without the services of three key players in senior Melissa Moreno, freshman Josey Jacinto, and junior Joanna Jacinto, due to undisclosed reasons.
At the start of last night’s contest, the Menehune came out sharp and held a 21-18 halftime advantage, thanks to Cheri Kua, Chantelle Briones, Moani Durant, and Jessica Jacinto. Kaua‘i’s Rachel Taira came out of the gates with the hot hand and Ulu Kelekoma kept the Red Raiders close. Red Raider guard Ho‘onani Dennis gave her team the lead in the third quarter with four minutes to go, with a 16-foot jumper for the 22-21 advantage. Kelekoma dominated the rest of the way with a trifecta and two unconvential three-point plays (made basket while being fouled, plus the free-throw). Kaua‘i’s lead ballooned throughout the fourth period and the Menehune weren’t able to mount a comeback. Kelekoma exploded for 22 points in the win and Taira backed her up with 17. Durant and Jessica Jacinto combined for 18 points in the loss.
Inouye ignites Kaua‘i win
The Red Raiders, led by Carie Inouye’s 17 points, came from behind for the 40-33 win. Kaua‘i notched its second win of the season against six defeats, against a tough Menehune (4-3) squad, who let the game slip away in the end. However, Waimea still has a chance at the JV championship, with a win against the Warriors (5-2) on Friday night. If the Menehune defeat Kapa‘a, then they will be co-champions with the Warriors, who already clinched at least a tie for the title.
With the score knotted up at 25 a piece with just under six minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Waimea’s Sheana Mata swooped a hook shot in for the 27-25 lead and Sasha Kaohi added to the lead with two straight buckets, which gave the Menehune the 32-28 advantage with just under two minutes to play.
Then it was “Inouye Time,” as the sophomore guard nailed seven of eight from the charity stripe, along with a lay-in, while being fouled, plus the free-throw, which pushed Kaua‘i ahead for good at 40-33. Amanda Mayer pitched in with seven points for Kaua‘i and Kaohi and Tatum Gonsalves put up eight points each to lead Waimea. The KIF girls’ basketball finale is set for Friday, as Waimea visits Kapa‘a. Then on Monday, the KIF championship happens at the Clem Gomes Gym at 7 p.m.
