KALAHEO — A buzzer-beating putback by Danielle Jure broke the Kamikaze, Monday night. That second effort pulled the Kilauea Hui to a 23-22 win in the first of two games played in the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association 18 and Under
KALAHEO — A buzzer-beating putback by Danielle Jure broke the Kamikaze, Monday night.
That second effort pulled the Kilauea Hui to a 23-22 win in the first of two games played in the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association 18 and Under girls league.
Kaulupono Girls pulled ahead in the second period and never looked back in its 38-23 win over Wailua in game two.
With 10 seconds showing on the clock, the Kamikaze controlled the inbound and had to just sit on the ball with its 22-21 lead.
Instead, a plucked pass led to April Johnson’s shot attempt that bounced off the boards, and Jure getting the second effort from the rightside at the buzzer, her only points in the contest.
For the Kamikaze, the loss was especially heartbreaking since last week, with 12 seconds showing, the girls needed to drop just one of two charity shots for the win over Kaulupono Girls.
Instead, both shots missed to force a double overtime in which Kaulupono pulled ahead for the win.
Claire Owens sparked the Hui’s win on 7 points. Kieren Pond’s issues with her masking tape number kept her to 4 points. Sarah Tangalin, Kumiko Kuwabara, Caroline Troutman, Kirstie Daly, Jure and Hannah Steed rounded out the win.
Rachael Taira pulled the Kamikaze back into the fray late in the second period with two straight buckets.
From that point, both teams battled point-for-point until the buzzer. Taira finished with 5 points, all coming in the second period.
Bristy-Ann Agu nailed a three-point bomb and a bucket in the final period to lead the Kamikaze effort with 6 points. Lacey Lucas finished with 4 points, Kira Taylan added 3 points.
Krystal Ijima and Lauren James each finished with pairs, Ijima added solid defense in the paint for the first half before moving to the outside corner in the second half.
Jayme Jacinto of Kaulupono Girls wasn’t in the gym when game two started.
Neither was Kennilyn Nakamura of Wailua. But the arrival of both girls sparked their respective teams as Kaulupono surged ahead 11-0 in the second frame behind Jacinto’s 5 points, a trey and a bucket.
Aiko Grande topped the Kaulupono win on 11 points followed by Jacinto’s 8 points. Kelsey Cadiente, Lorrine Lagoc-Agrade and Joanna Andres each finished with 5 points. Kathleen Cadiente and Mollie Connelly each added pairs, Connelly joining Grande in the paint to contain the Wailua girls.
Destiny Smith paced the Wailua effort with 8 points followed by Michelle Toy adding 5 points.
Chelsie Villatora added 4 points with pairs from Nakamura, Victoria Olsen and Hanalei Gomes rounding out the contest.
The KYBA 18U girls league continues tonight in Kalaheo with games tipping off at 7 and 8 p.m.
