KALAHEO — Kaua‘i basketball fans were treated to high caliber games, but Kaua‘i basketball players bore the brunt of that talent show Thursday night. The opening night of a three-day tournament saw all three O‘ahu teams hand their Kaua‘i counterparts
KALAHEO — Kaua‘i basketball fans were treated to high caliber games, but Kaua‘i basketball players bore the brunt of that talent show Thursday night.
The opening night of a three-day tournament saw all three O‘ahu teams hand their Kaua‘i counterparts defeats behind quick ball handling and deft defense at the 17-and-under boys basketball tournament hosted by the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association in Kalaheo.
“They’re all quick,” Karen Matsumoto, KYBA tournament coordinator said. “Breakaway had a pretty close game with Lanakila. But, all three O‘ahu teams are quick.”
Kalaheo, coached by Steven Matsumoto, was the only Kaua‘i team that notched an opening night win as they handled Wailua 54-31 behind 14 points from Josh Bradbury in game one.
David Mendes finished with a game-high 16 points to pace the Wailua effort.
Justin Ramos also finished with a game-high 11 points for Breakaway, but the effort fell short 42-22 against Lanakila who was led by Jordi Collazo’s eight points in game two.
Waimea kept pace with the Pu‘uloa Bandits for all of the opening quadrant of game three and through part of the second quarter before their firepower was doused.
The Waimea boys became victims of bad passes and turnovers as the Bandits pulled away for a 72-39 win behind the sizzling performance of Mike Makinano who finished with a game-high 21 points.
Kahua Hollinger, whose roots trace back to Kilauea, was given a chance to show his stuff as he picked up the point guard position for the Bandits before his parents and fans who remembered the guard from his days with the community basketball program.
Hollinger finished with a dozen points to help the Bandits’ effort.
Braxton Garma topped the Waimea effort with nine points including a pair of treys in the first half. James Sagucio netted four first quarter points towards his game total of eight points. Kyle Achuela notched a pair of first quarter treys en route to his eight point total.
“They’re (the Outlaws) redeeming themselves,” coach Paul Barba said. “Last year, Waimea took them out of the championship, so this year they came back with a vengeance.”
Garrick Chock iced the final O‘ahu victory with a game-high 16 points to lead Ikaika Basketball to a 52-30 showing over Kapa‘a in the fourth game of the night.
Matt Lindsey topped the Kapa‘a showing with seven points.
The tournament continues through this afternoon at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
