Kaua‘i was well-represented again at the U.S.A. Hockey Inline Regional Championships over Memorial Day weekend in Kihei, Maui. Each Kaua‘i team placed, with one champion, two runner-ups and one third-place finish. The 10-and-under team repeated as state champions in a
Kaua‘i was well-represented again at the U.S.A. Hockey Inline Regional Championships over Memorial Day weekend in Kihei, Maui.
Each Kaua‘i team placed, with one champion, two runner-ups and one third-place finish.
The 10-and-under team repeated as state champions in a dominating performance, romping Maui 13-0, Mililani 13-1 and 15-1, and then edging O‘ahu 5-3. All 13 of the non-goalie skaters tallied points in the four games, led by Trevor McCracken’s eight goals and four assists. Jacob Lewis scored seven goals and racked up two assists, and Corey Nemeth tallied six goals and three assists.
The rest of the championship roster was made up of Grant Basquez, Matthias Davis, Kai Haugland, Cameron Aukai, Cascade Mayer, Kawai Peahu, Marcus Punua, Kawaiiki Punua, Cydney Sitzler, Jean-Luc Tremblay and goalies Daniel Alonzo and Derek Gillette. The 12-and-under team managed to place second despite fielding a young squad.
“Each skater is eligible for the same age division next year,” Kaua‘i Inline Hockey spokesperson Lon Shimanuki said. “ Many of the players doubled up from the 10-and-under championship team.”
Kaua‘i defeated Mililani 7-3 and Maui 4-0, tied Kona 3-3, but lost to a tough O‘ahu team 11-1 in the finals. The 12-and-under team was paced by Noah Cullen’s three goals and five assists, Trevor McCracken’s three goals and two assists and Jean-Luc Tremblay’s four goals. Sierra Mayer was the mainstay on defense, along with goalies Grant Basquez and Kiana Tremblay.
Despite losing a top player to other commitments and another to an injury, the 14-and-under team still finished third.
In pool play, Kaua‘i beat Kona 8-3 and Maui 4-3, but lost to O‘ahu 8-0. In semifinal action, they lost to Maui 5-3 and could not advance. Kaua‘i was led by Keala Davis with six goals and five assists, while Kirsten McCracken busted out with five goals.
The 18-and-under team was made up of a mix of Kaua‘i and Maui individuals. Again, despite a young team, which everyone will be eligible next year, the squad took second in a highly competitive division.
In pool play, Maui/Kaua‘i played Lanakila (O‘ahu) twice, winning one 6-5 and tying the second 4-4. They split their games with Mililani with a 5-3 win and a 2-1 loss.
In the championship game, Maui/Kaua‘i lost to Mililani 5-4 in a back-and-forth contest. J.R. DeGroote lead the team with six goals and four assists, and Shane Shimanuki chipped in four goals and six assists.
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
