LIHU’E — While first round champion Kapa’a watched from the Raiderdome stands last night, Kaua’i and Waimea battled for momentum heading into the second round. The Red Raiders, who were win-less heading into the contest, finally made it into the
LIHU’E — While first round champion Kapa’a watched from the Raiderdome stands last night, Kaua’i and Waimea battled for momentum heading into the second round.
The Red Raiders, who were win-less heading into the contest, finally made it into the win column, with a 53-39 victory.
Both Waimea and Kaua’i finished up round one with a 1-3 mark. For the two-time defending champion Red Raiders, it was a much needed victory, which should help their confidence level throughout the remainder of the season.
Kaua’i held a 23-18 lead at the half, thanks to a Rachel Taira breakaway bucket. In the third period, both teams rained threes from all around the court, as Anna Jacinto and Natalie Mata of Waimea canned trifectas.
But Ho’onani Dennis and Carie Inouye of Kaua’i countered with threes of their own, which kept the lead at double digits for the girls in red.
The Red Raiders continued to apply pressure in the fourth quarter, as Dennis’ lay-in with just under four minutes to go, sealed the victory.
Taira ended up with a game-high 21 points, followed by Dennis with 16, and Inouye with 11. Mata paced Waimea with 11 points, as Anna Jacinto and Moani Durant chipped in with nine and six points, respectively.
In the JV contest, Waimea cruised past Kaua’i, 37-22, behind 18 points from Tatum Gonsalves. Kayla Werner chipped in with 10 points. Wailana Borrero led Kaua’i with six points, followed by Nicole Fujimoto and Kathleen Cadiente, who poured in four points apiece. The second round heads to Waimea on Tuesday, with Kapa’a battling the Menehune.
