KALAHEO — Jayme Jacinto had time to rest Wednesday night. The perky guard from Kaulupono Girls could take a breather after BreeAnn Cox-Abuan demonstrated her strong up-court hustle in the second half. Kaulupono Girls utilized the talents of its guards
KALAHEO — Jayme Jacinto had time to rest Wednesday night.
The perky guard from Kaulupono Girls could take a breather after BreeAnn Cox-Abuan demonstrated her strong up-court hustle in the second half. Kaulupono Girls utilized the talents of its guards and low post to secure a 37-24 margin over the concerted efforts of the Waimea Minihunes.
“We made our shots, and we had fun,” Kaulupono head coach Bobby Kamakele said following their final game in the county’s 14 and Under girls basketball league. “I was a little worried in the second period, but the girls came through and from there, it was just making sure we got our shots.”
Kaulupono Girls finish their season with just two losses.
Jacinto, the primary guard for Kaulupono, got a lot of help from team mate Vakeesha Lagazo, whose tenacity in penetrating the paint had the Minihunes with their hands full.
Jacinto finished with a game-high 18 points, 17 coming from field goals and a lone three-pointer in the third period that saw Kaulupono build on a 10-point halftime lead.
In the low post Erin Connelly grabbed numerous rebounds and scored 6 of her 8 points in the second half, including a stellar putback of a shot attempt by younger sister Paige Connelly in heavy traffic.
Lagazo and Searra Kaohi added 5 points apiece in the win. A pair from Paige Connelly rounded out the win.
Robin Moura’s composure under Kaulupono Girls yielded her 8 points against the pressure of Erin Connelly. Moura paced the Waimea Minihunes’ scoring.
Jondale Acceret-Ipac clenched her fist and pumped her arms following both her buckets that came from outside the three-point mark for her 6-point contribution.
Sanida Pahulehua added 5 points, finishing 3-of-5 from the charity stripe. Fiare Moe and Cassandra Owen each added a pair and a digit from Jazzelyn Bradbury, who sparkplugged the Minihune defense, rounded out the scorebooks.
Assistant coach Daniel Simao was pleased with his girls’ performance, noting they keep improving each time they take the court.
Kaira Kupihea finished with 15 points to lead Kalalea to a 30-9 win over the Uptown Jammers in Game 2. Shalyn Tupou added 8 points in the win.
Angelica Ganitano led the Jammers with 5 points.
Mahea Hanie-Grace, Reggie McCabe, Lauren Claypoole and Jessilyn Aki must have caused coach Cecil Gee to smile when they each ended with 4 points to lead Gee’s Angels to a 21-14 edge over the Lihu‘e Heat in Game 3.
Malia Kagawa and Janessa Grady topped the Heat effort on 6- and 5-point performances, respectively.
