KAPA’A — Even if they captured the first-round title a week ago, the Warrior girls basketball team played as if everything was on the line by vanishing the Red Raiders 64-40, last night in front of a packed house at
KAPA’A — Even if they captured the first-round title a week ago, the Warrior girls basketball team played as if everything was on the line by vanishing the Red Raiders 64-40, last night in front of a packed house at the Bernice Hundley Gymnasium.
From the start, the Warriors pushed Kaua’i to the floor, opening up with a 29-19 halftime lead.
Then in the third quarter, Kapa’a went on a 10-2 run, thanks to buckets from Brittney Carvalho, Mailika Napoleon, and Kennilyn Nakamura.
With 4:19 on the clock, the score read 39-21 in favor of the home squad.
However, Kaua’i’s last-ditch effort was ignited by Carie Inouye, who poured in five straight points, including a three-point bomb off the glass.
After a Cherisse Rapozo free throw, the Red Raiders were down by single digits at 39-30, thanks to a 9-0 run.
But Kapa’a coach Gary Kodani summoned his starters to shut the door and Carvalho answered with a short jumper, which stopped the two-time defending KIF champions’ surge.
The Warriors held on to a 45-30 lead after three quarters of play.
ters The final period was just an exclamation point for Kapa’a, as Napoleon poured in the clincher at the two minute mark, for the 58-34 advantage.
The Warriors added a few more buckets, which led to the 64-40 final.
Kaua’i is still winless this season at 0-3. However, on Saturday, the Red Raiders will have a shot to break into the win column against Waimea.
The game is set for 5:30 p.m. (JV) at the Raiderdome.
The varsity contest commences 20 minutes after the completion of the JV game.
In last night’s JV action, Kapa’a nearly doubled up on Kaua’i, 40-24, thanks to Sarah Tanglin’s 12 big points.
Sierra Mayer paced the Red Raiders with six points.
