KALAHEO – Wailua took full advantage of its depth to outdistance Go Hard, 29-20 in the final minutes of play to clinch the Kaua’i Youth Basketball Association (KYBA) 12 and Under Girls title Wednesday night before a supportive audience at
KALAHEO – Wailua took full advantage of its depth to outdistance Go Hard, 29-20 in the final minutes of play to clinch the Kaua’i Youth Basketball Association (KYBA) 12 and Under Girls title Wednesday night before a supportive audience at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Entering the arena, it was a scenario of guards versus forwards as Go Hard coach Kaleo Perez faced a formidable inside Wailua posting headed by Kaira Kupihea, Victoria Tuttle, and Leina’ala McCabe.
Add to this equation, the ball-moving abilities of Wailua guards Kira Nakamura, Lynsi Nakamura and the picture of a well-rounded squad emerges.
But that did not discourage Go Hard supporters who looked at the benches that saw Wailua out-number Go Hard 5-1.
“We couldn’t foul,” one Go Hard parent said following their contest. “We didn’t have anyone left.”
Under loud support from the audience, both teams battled as Go Hard’s Kelsey Cadiente, despite being defended heavily, came through to answer Wailua’s offensive showing, finishing with a game-high 15 points in their loss.
Go Hard was limited to just three players being able to notch scores, but their speed and quickness also hampered Wailua’s scoring opportunities until the final three minutes of play when Wailua managed to eke out the final nine-point margin.
The defensive nature of the contest was reflected as Wailua posted a 2-1 first quarter lead, and at the half, the scoreboard showed a 12-11 Wailua margin, Cadiente leading Go Hard with six points, and Wailua getting four from Leina’ala McCabe.
In the third quarter, Wailua managed a 6-4 run, staying ahead of Go Hard on buckets by Kupihea, Reggie McCabe, and Leina’ala McCabe while Cadiente pocketed two field goals for Go Hard. Kupihea led the final 11-5 quarter for Wailua, finishing with six points in the frame enroute to leading the Wailua scorers with 10 points.
Kira Nakamura followed with seven digits, Leina’ala McCabe added six, and pairs from Tiorie Daligcon-Pomoikai, Reggie Mc-Cabe, Cortney Higa, and Victoria Tuttle rounded out the math.
Following Cadiente, Kayla Perez added three and Larissa Crain finished with a pair for Go Hard.
Janessa Grady erupted for a game-high 14 points for the Lihu’e Pacers, but the effort fell short as Waimea clinched the third place title in the 12 Under division with a 33-27 showing at the buzzer.
The tenacious Pacers have come a long way since they first appeared on the floor several seasons ago, and in an effort that belied the final score, put forward a strong effort.
Malia Kagawa and Randee Layosa each added four, Teal Basquez chipped in three in addition to a strong defensive effort, and a pair from Erin Navarro closed the books.
Balanced scoring from Waimea contributed to their victory with guard Jayme Jacinto controlling the arena with seven points and Vakeesha Lagazo, Rosaleah Palma, and Brandee Victorino each firing six points. Selena Lutao added four, and pairs from Paige Connelly and Cassandra Owens accounted for the final score.
Friday night, the 12 and Under boys fight for their championships with the first game tipping off at 6 p.m. at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
