With a glimmer of hope rested in their hearts, the Kaua’i boys basketball squad goes into tonight’s game with nothing to lose, after being on the outside looking in, for most of the season. Waimea hosts Kaua’i, tonight (JV: 5:30
With a glimmer of hope rested in their hearts, the Kaua’i boys basketball squad goes into tonight’s game with nothing to lose, after being on the outside looking in, for most of the season.
Waimea hosts Kaua’i, tonight (JV: 5:30 p.m., Varsity: 20 minutes after JV contest)
Matchup: This is the biggest game of the season and it’s the last one as well. The first round champion Menehune squad could clinch the title with a win. However, Kaua’i’s triumph could force a three-way tie for the second round title, with all three teams at a 2-2 standstill.
“We’re a young team that works extremely hard. We have absolutely nothing to lose, but we’re going to fight with all we’ve got,” Red Raider head coach Brandon Fujita said after Tuesday’s win over Kapa’a.
For Waimea, it’s gut check time and head coach Elton Montemayor has said early on that all three teams have a shot at the title this year.
And all three teams could be tied after the completion of the second round tonight, if Kaua’i is able to defeat Waimea.
But the Menehune control their own destiny and a victory would hand them the scissors to cut down the nets on their home floor.
Keys to the game
Waimea: Contain Josh Bradbury and keep Jordan Cox in the paint. Control the boards with Vincent Geronimo leading the way. Let Brendan McDaniels get enough touches to take over the contest.
Kaua’i: Contain Brendan McDaniels and Chad Barba, Waimea’s dynamic guard duo. Make and take smart shots, with Bradbury getting most of the touches. Cox needs to be Bradbury’s sidekick by putting up good numbers.
Bradbury vs. McDaniels
In their last matchup at the Raiderdome, the triple overtime thriller was enhanced by the spectacular offensive show put on by both Bradbury and McDaniels. The two KIF leading scorers are magicians with the ball, but tonight’s game could come down to who can lead his team to the top.
Stine vs. Geronimo
The two underrated boardsmen are tough to handle in the paint. Both players are Dennis Rodman-like and the game could come down to a rebound or two, so Stine and Geronimo are invaluable to their squads.
The KIF basketball finale begins at 5:30 p.m. tonight at the Clem Gomes Gymnasium in Waimea, with the JV game. The Warriors have already wrapped up the KIF JV title with a win against the Red Raiders on Tuesday. The varsity contest starts 20 minutes after the completion of the JV game.
