KALAHEO — Wailua had a window late in the game, but could not close it. Trailing by 3 points with less than a minute left in their game, a pair of charity shots came up empty and Kaulupono, under the
KALAHEO — Wailua had a window late in the game, but could not close it.
Trailing by 3 points with less than a minute left in their game, a pair of charity shots came up empty and Kaulupono, under the steering of coach Pedro Saligumba and Kori Sakamoto, wrapped up a 23-20 win in the first of three games played at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, Monday night.
In game two, Kawehi Louis-Diamond was sent to the bench with an injured ankle late in the game to give the Gee’s Angels a 37-14 edge over the Lihu‘e Kamikaze, and in game three, Team Central rolled over Wailua 79-2 in the Boys 13 Under contest.
The pair of girls games was played in the 11 Under division while the third game fell in the 13 Under boys division in the 3 G’s Nation non-competitive basketball program.
Ashlen Bueno topped the Kaulupono showing with 11 points including a perfect 2-for-2 showing at the charity stripe and a bomb from outside the three-point arc in the fourth period.
She got help from Sanoe Kaohelaulii who finished with 7 points followed by guard Marissa Hesapene adding 5 points in the win.
Wailua got 10 points from Cortney Higa followed by Kailee Carrillo who finished with 4 points in addition to a lot of work in the paint. Kekai Gonsalves, Kehau Relacion and Jenna Iwasaki each chipped in a pair.
Louis-Diamond was able to net 6 points before an ankle injury sent her to the bench for the evening. Against a torrid Gee’s Angels defense, Pili Chung, Kawai Calderon and Annie Ballesteros worked to pick up the void with Krystal Ijima, a Kaua‘i player, lending her expertise.
But the effort fell short as Lele Silva finished with 4 points and Ballesteros got a pair. Chung and Calderon finished with a point each.
Kristle Henry burned the twine for a game-high 21 points to lead the Angels’ victory. That included an opening-frame trey, but was shut down 0-for-3 at the charity line.
Ana Paua and Joy Claypoole were next in line with 4 points each, Claypoole getting a strong workout against the aggressive defense exerted by Louis-Diamond until her injury. Lele Hanie, Daezsa Tomas and Riana Ralston each finished with a pair.
Duke Pauli and Keane Agoot combined for 51 points for Team Central in its 79-2 showing over Wailua in the nightcap.
Pauli, who had low post duty, finished with 27 points followed by Agoot netting 24 points.
Keoni Kinzie’s power playing netted 18 points to round out the Team Central leaders. Pita Taufoou finished with 4 points followed by Ricky Balajdia, Ka‘awa Solomon and Nalu Simao each netting a pair.
J. Palmeira had the only bucket for Wailua.
