KAPA‘A — The Angels were up 20-3 over the Supersonics when a loud cheer went up in the Bernice Hundley Gym Wednesday. Joy Claypoole, 10, had just set up at the 2 o’clock mark, and after overcoming the block attempt
KAPA‘A — The Angels were up 20-3 over the Supersonics when a loud cheer went up in the Bernice Hundley Gym Wednesday.
Joy Claypoole, 10, had just set up at the 2 o’clock mark, and after overcoming the block attempt by the Supersonic defender, launched a shot with 3:42 left on the clock that settled in for her first basket of the season. That second-quarter feat drew rousing applause from the parents in the house as they acknowledged the youngster’s feat.
Joy’s bucket helped the Angels along to a 40-8 showing over the pink-shirted Supersonics in the first of three games for the ZZ/Rotary Club of West Kaua‘i Youth basketball league.
“These are the Barbie Girls,” said Supersonics’ coach Rudy Acoba’s wife as she watched from the stands. “They have one 9-year-old, some 10s and a couple of 11-year-olds. They’re left over from the Termite program.”
The aspiring youngsters wanted to continue following the end of the Boys & Girls Club Termite season and asked Acoba to coach them. Aaron Hesapene, a player from Waimea High School, was also on the bench.
She also explained that normally the Supersonics tout black uniforms with pink numbers, but a mixup at the printers led to pink shirts and shorts with black numbers, the best they could do before the season started.
Ashlen Bueno ignited the crowd as she swooshed the net with the first of her two game treys. She led the Supersonics with six points followed by Casey Anacleto adding a pair.
Reggie McCabe’s hustle in the paint paid off as she finished with a dozen points in the Angels’ win. Kristle Henry, Lauren Claypoole and Jessilyn Aki each finished with six points.
“They’re going to be good,” Angels’ coach Cecil Gee said following the opening victory. “I remember when our girls were in the same boat. But they took the licks and now they’re strong. Those girls will be like that.”
The Angels finished with a split as their 16 Under team succumbed to Kaulupono 37-29 in the third game of the night.
Battling through three quarters of intense and physical basketball, Kaulupono pulled ahead late in the game as the Waimea players under coach Bobby Kamakele notched their third straight win in as many nights.
“This is it for this week,” he said. “Next week, we have three straight games again, and that’ll be it for the season.”
Lorrine Lagoc-Agrade led the Kaulupono win on her game-high 16 points followed by Jayme Jacinto adding six marks.
Mahea Hanie-Grace and Leihua McCabe led the Angels’ effort with nine points apiece with Ala McCabe netting four points.
Leilani Laranio appeared at the doorway of the Bernice Hundley with the Wailua game already underway, and despite missing the first quarter of action, paced the girls in green with eight points in their 37-29 showing over Team Central in game two.
Jondi Das, who was strong for Wailua in the opening quadrant, added five points in the win.
Kathleen Cadiente, despite leaving the game with an injury in the third quarter, led Team Central with seven points followed by Rachel Hamamura adding four points to the scorebooks in addition to snatching numberous rebounds on both ends of the court.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
