KAPA‘A — Wailua coach Talbert Tacbian had a better night Thursday, than Wednesday, as Wailua took two straight games at the KYBA basketball games played at the Bernice Hundley Gym in Kapa‘a. In the Boys 14 Under game, Davin Chong
KAPA‘A — Wailua coach Talbert Tacbian had a better night Thursday, than Wednesday, as Wailua took two straight games at the KYBA basketball games played at the Bernice Hundley Gym in Kapa‘a.
In the Boys 14 Under game, Davin Chong fired 11 points as Wailua dominated Island School, 37-8.
Cody Abigania added seven points to the winning effort along with John Paul Delos Santos who had a trey in the first quarter.
Island School saw Makana Ledesma net all six of his points in the final frame when they matched Wailua at the nets in that quarter.
Aaron Pigott accounted for the math with a pair in the first quarter.
In the second Wailua win in the Girls 19U division, Kennilyn Nakamura continued to lead the pack as she netted a game-high 19 points in their 36-28 win over the Lihu‘e Adventures, coached by Angela Lopez.
That contest proved to be a competitive yet sociable outing as Nakamura was showing off the bruise she received on Tuesday night in Wailua’s win over the Westside Hornets.
But, that didn’t stop her from leading the pack for the second straight night. To lighten the air following their win, she quipped to the Lihu‘e players, “See? I now look at this,” the Wailua forward pointing to a court burn.
On the other side of the ball, Lihu‘e Adventures’ coach Angela Lopez’s mother who is visiting here was able to see her daughter in action as the assistant coach of the KIF champion Kaua‘i High School girls team was able to integrate some members of that squad with players who have never played basketball before.
Nalinee Pickop, one of the original Lihu‘e Undertakers under coach Brian Inouye, made her appearance back on the court after a hiatus to develop her swimming skills.
“I haven’t played for so long,” she lamented following their loss. “I only had one point, and it was free.”
Emmalani Makepa-Foley, soccer and junior lifeguard standout, was experiencing her first basketball game. “I’ve never played this game before,” she said as she nervously took the court as one of Lihu‘e’s starting five.
Her nervousness came to a head early as she fidgeted nervously at the free throw lane much to the delight of fellow teammates Tamilyn Hasegawa who was waiting her turn on the bench.
But, after several bouts with tough Wailua competitors, Makepa-Foley celebrated her initiation into the sport with a breakaway bucket in the fourth period, her play giving her amble time to plant and nail the shot, sending both herself and her team into jubilant celebration.
Additionally, when Hasegawa netted a trey from near the half-court line at the end of the third period, even the Wailua parents celebrated the feat with applause.
Hasegawa, who fouled out with almost four minutes remaining in the game, topped the Lihu‘e Adventures’ scoring with 13 points.
“This is what the game is all about,” coach Tacbian said following their double win, and watching his 19 Under girls talking and joking with their opponents.
Following Nakamura, Roselyn Ebinger, another Wailua player who was playing her second consecutive night of ball, added six first half points, Leilani Laranio, also playing her second consecutive night, added four along with Krystal Ijima who was also into her second consecutive night of hoops.
Following Hasegawa, Kori Masuda added six points with Cory Arashiro and Reina Fujimoto, and Makepa-Foley chipping in a pair and Pickop rounding out the books.
Tacbian noted the toll playing five games in two nights takes on the body, but noted, “We never had things like this when we were young.”
In the early game, Go Hard saw Kelsey Cadiente lead the girls with 11 points in their 38-8 win over Gee’s Angels.
Maile Dreier added six points with Kayla Perez, Sierra Mayer, and Jasmine Mariano each finishing with four points.
Jessilyn Aki, Lauren Claypoole, Jessica Feller, and Mahelani Grace notched the Angels’ scores, their coach, Cecil Gee, already looking forward to Friday night when he debuts his 19 Under girls squad.
