KALAHEO — Wailua coach Talbert Tacbian used his entire bench to accomplish a two-game sweep Wednesday night at the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association (KYBA) games. With the title for the 19 Under girls division on the line, Wailua was more
KALAHEO — Wailua coach Talbert Tacbian used his entire bench to accomplish a two-game sweep Wednesday night at the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association (KYBA) games.
With the title for the 19 Under girls division on the line, Wailua was more concerned about playing back-to-back games as they would be facing Waimea “A” in a 16 Under contest immediately following the title bout.
“We have more trouble with the 16’s,” coach Amanda Higa said. “I hope we can do what we need to do.”
The girls in green came through, sweeping both games, and taking the 19 Under title to boot.
“I wish I could buy all my shots,” Kennilyn Nakamura commented while watching Mama Lucy’s Lihu‘e battle Waimea “A” for the third place berth in the 19 Under division. “I couldn’t drop anything the last couple of games.”
Nakamura finished with a game-high 18 points to lead Wailua to a 29-26 defensive slugfest over the Lady Raiders for the championship of the 19 Under class. Guard Michelle Toy, who was instrumental in several of the Wailua games last week, was presented the league MVP honors in their victory.
But Wailua didn’t stop there as they continued on to chip out a 32-31 win over Waimea “A,” also playing their second contest of the night, but having the luxury of being able to catch their breath during the 19 Under championship.
Earlier, Waimea had clinched the 19 Under third place berth with a solid 46-29 win over Mama Lucy’s Lihu‘e behind balanced scoring led by Joanna Jacinto finishing with ten points. Chantelle Briones, Natasha Acosta, and Moani Durante each finished with seven points in that victory.
But Wailua denied Waimea the sweep as their 16 Under finale went to the wire, the ladies in white playing catch-up through most of the game.
With 4:21 remaining, a Sheila Ramos charity pair pulled Waimea to a 26-26 deadlock only to have Wailua’s Toy come up with a pair on a three-point play in the paint.
A pair of Leilani Laranio bouncers from the charity stripe pushed Wailua up 30-26 with 2:55 showing.
Waimea fell victim to bad passing as Nakamura capitalized on one of the errant balls for the 32-26 margin with 1:50 left.
Waimea had their opportunities, but came up empty on free throws with Wailua sharing the same fate as the clock ticked down.
With 28 ticks showing, Jayme Jacinto, the youngest member of the Waimea squad, blistered the twine with a trey, but Wailua kept control of the sphere between the passing of Toy and Hanalei Gomes as the buzzer sounded.
Toy and Nakamura combined for 23 points in that 16 Under victory, Toy leading with a dozen marks and Nakamura chalking up 11 points.
Laranio finished with four points with Gomes, Roselyn Ebinger, and Krystal Ijima each chipping in a pair.
Moani Durant led Waimea with 11 points followed by Natalie Mata finishing with six, and Joanna Jacinto adding four in the effort.
In the 19 Under third place contest, Tamalyn Hasegawa chalked up 10 points followed by Rachel Taira adding nine points before a large audience at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Against the Lady Raiders for the 19 Under championship, Nakamura led Wailua with 18 points followed by Ebinger chipping in four. Chelsie Villatora and Toy each finished with three.
Darcie Allianic took the forefront with nine points followed by Tahnee Shigematsu, Kailee Andrade, and Cherrise Rapozo each adding four points.
“In about a week and a half, he’s going to be totally bored,” Theresa Tacbian, wife of the Wailua coach said. “He loves it (the excitement of close games). And, he loves the kids.”
“Last week, when he had a night off, he was going out of his mind,” she said. “But, gotta support, yeah? It’s for the kids.”
