Over 600 fans last night in Waimea, witnessed a heck of a game between the Warriors and the Menehune, who both battled right until the end for the KIF girls hoops title. The raucous crowd, with equal amounts of blue
Over 600 fans last night in Waimea, witnessed a heck of a game between the Warriors and the Menehune, who both battled right until the end for the KIF girls hoops title.
The raucous crowd, with equal amounts of blue and green filled up the Clem Gomes Gym to near capacity.
Chris Newcomb, a Waimea multi-sport athlete, brought two of his friends along, with paint garbed all over their bodies.
The look mirrored the Cameron Crazies, who cheer mercilessly for the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team.
Then there was Mrs. Parraga and her cowbell, but I don’t think she’d miss a game for chance to chow down a bowl of Hamura’s Saimin.
In the meantime, the Warrior fans were in full force, led by Chris Ramelb and the “Green Machine” student section and then there were the loud as a rock concert parents of the Warrior players, led by the Mrs. Nakamura.
It was a rare championship game, pitting two schools letting it all hang out.
When the final buzzer sounded, the Warriors won, but it was hard not to see the anguish and pain from Menehune players and coaches.
The game could’ve gone either way, but sadly, there had to have been one loser and one winner.
Each fan who came out to watch the game will probably remember the heart and determination of both teams instead of the final score.
Congratulations to not only the Warriors, but the Menehune as well for an amazing spectacle last night.
Kapa‘a displayed amazing resiliency throughout the season. At first they were considered unstoppable by many with a 4-0 start and the first round crown in hand.
But after losing two straight in the second round, coach Gary Kodani had to gather up his troops for the remainder of the season, which turned into sour grapes at that point.
However, the Warriors finished up strong and eventually found their rhythm.
But when the Menehune closed out with the second round title and took the home court coin flip, the Warriors were again pressed against the wall.
Kodani said his team needed to regroup and they did. It’s hard enough to beat a team with a ton of momentum like the Menehune, especially at their home gym, but Kapa‘a did it with heart and proved almost everyone wrong, including myself.
The Warriors overcame a lot of things this season, but probably the best thing they learned from the entire process is to never give up, especially during tough times.
And whatever happens next, the Warrior girls will always have something to look back upon, which will carry them through tough times in their lives.
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
