Kelekoma, Taira share Player-of-the-Year honors

It’s quite fitting for Kaua‘i’s Ulu Kelekoma and Rachel Taira to share this year’s KIF girls’ basketball player of the year honor.

The Red Raider guards teamed up to be one of the most lethal combos in recent memory. Kelekoma, last season’s player of the year, collected her second honor this year, based on her all-around abilities.

The senior played the game at 100 mph and never gave up on both ends of the court. But what really made Kelekoma a special player, was her play during crunch time.

“She could turn any game around and she had so much athletic ability, which made her so tough,” Kaua‘i head coach Dennis Aquino said.

Although the Red Raiders fell in the first round of the state tournament, it was still a year to remember.

“This year was definitely more tougher; at first we didn’t play with each other, but at the end we got together,” Kelekoma said.

After losing to the Menehune in a first round heart-breaker, Aquino made his team change in a different way.

“At a practice during the start of the second round, coach told us to read something on change and that helped a lot,” the two-time player of the year said.

Nothing surprised Aquino about Taira, who lit it the scoreboard from anywhere on the court.

“She spends a lot of time on her own and I even spoke to some of her neighbors who told me that they can hear her bouncing the ball and shooting baskets late at night,” Aquino said.

The two-time coach of the year also noted that Taira puts in the extra effort and isn’t afraid to work.

“She really was the solid portion of our game all year round; she’s just always there,” Aquino said.

Taira, a silent assassin, was probably the best player in the league at moving without the ball. The junior was also dangerous from the charity stripe and knocked down crucial free throws throughout the season.

The Red Raiders won only one game in the first round and ended up going undefeated at 5-0 in the second round, which included a double over-time championship victory over Waimea.

“I think it got a lot harder this year because we only had four players coming back and we also had to deal with seven new players, who had to work into the mix,” Aquino said.

But as the second round began, the Red Raiders turned on the jets.

“Each player started to understand their roles, but it was hard at first, because when I looked at the bench I really didn’t know what I was going to get,” Aquino said.

According to Aquino, conditioning was probably the biggest factor down the stretch for Kaua‘i.

“We worked harder in the second round on our conditioning and it showed, especially in the double overtime championship game against Waimea,” Aquino commented.

Kelekoma and Taira were the all-star guards and Kapa‘a’s Brittney Carvalho, a tough customer in the paint, nailed down all-star forward honors. Kaua‘i senior Sherri Gebauer got the all-star nod at the other forward spot. Gebauer provided the inside attack that complimented both Kelekoma and Taira on the outside.

Waimea senior Mallorie Hepa nabbed her second straight all-star honor and played with heart throughout the season, despite nursing an injured knee. The utility all-star spot was filled by Waimea sophomore Moani Durant. The lanky guard had a knack for the ball and was great at making the big shots.

This year’s KIF coach of the year is Kaua‘i’s Dennis Aquino, who captured his second honor in as many seasons. Aquino’s tough love approach has worked well with the Red Raiders, who have found the right system with two straight KIF titles.

Next year, the KIF champion will head to the division II state girls’ basketball tournament, as opposed to the division I ranks.

“For girls on the island, it’s hard to compete at the state level and I don’t think we can do it; the competition is a lot different and we just don’t see that type of play here on Kaua‘i,” Aquino said.

KIF all-stars are selected after the KIF season by a panel consisting of coaches, athletic directors, game officials, and media representatives.

All photos are courtesy of Manny Henriques.

KIF All-Stars

Co-Players of the Year: Ulu Kelekoma (Sr.), Kaua‘i, Rachel Taira (Jr.), Kaua‘i

Coach of the Year: Dennis Aquino, Kaua‘i

Forwards: Brittney Carvalho (Soph.), Kapa‘a, Sherri Gebauer (Sr.), Kaua‘i

Guards: Ulu Kelekoma (Sr.), Kaua‘i, Rachel Taira (Jr.), Kaua‘i

Center: Mallorie Hepa (Sr.), Waimea

Utility: Moani Durant (Soph.), Waimea