WAIMEA — The stage is set for the title match in the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association’s 16 Under Girls division as Wailua will be taking on the Kilauea Hui for the title starting at 7 p.m. at the Kalaheo Neighborhood
WAIMEA — The stage is set for the title match in the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association’s 16 Under Girls division as Wailua will be taking on the Kilauea Hui for the title starting at 7 p.m. at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, tonight.
Waimea, who came alive in the second half of their game against Kilauea in the Saturday playoffs, will go up against Team Swish for third place honors starting at 6 p.m.
Paul Barba, one of the coaches for the KYBA Boys 19 Under Waimea squad, noted that each of the teams had won and lost against each other by close margins, attesting to the equity demonstrated by the teams’ coaches and player abilities.
But, Saturday’s playoffs seemed far from equitable as Kilauea pulled out early and only after attaining a margin that peaked at 14 points did the Waimea girls fight back, dropping a heartbreaker, 29-28 to the Hui.
In the second playoff contest, Team Swish sorely missed the inside game of two of their key players and was handed a 45-27 defeat by Wailua.
Danielle Jure got help from Caroline Troutman, Kristie Daly, and Claire Owens in the opening frame as the Hui built up a quick 10-5 lead and continued building to an 18-9 halftime lead.
But, Waimea got the wakeup call at the intermission, and despite second-half treys from Moani Durante, Jayme and Joanna Jacinto, came up a digit short at the buzzer after outshooting the Hui, 19-11 in that half.
Durant finished with a game-high 10 points, seven coming in the second half, to lead Waimea with Natalie Mata adding six points.
Kapua Chandler got all her six points in the second half, including a third quarter trey, to lead Kilauea with Owens adding five. Troutman, Jure, and April Johnson all finished with four points.
Kennilyn Nakamura peeled off 19 points to lead Wailua over the Team Swish with Leilani Laranio adding 10 points to round out those scoring leaders.
Sanoe Keliinoi chalked up 10 points to lead Team Swish with Kathleen Cadiente and Mai‘lika Napoleon each adding six points.
The KYBA enters their final week of league competition starting Tuesday with the title game for the Girls 16 Under division.
Wednesday night, the 19 Under Boys will begin their ascent to the KYBA division title with a pair of playoff games starting at 6 p.m.
The results of Wednesday’s contest will determine who will be battling for the crown, Friday night when the third place game will tip off at 6 p.m. followed by the championship game tipping off at 7 p.m.
All games this week will be at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
