KALAHEO — Southwest Boyz swept the title series of the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association 18 and Under boys league Tuesday night. The Southwest Boyz “A,” rebounded from a Saturday upset, to outlast Kalepa Hillsiders, 38-37, for third place in the
KALAHEO — Southwest Boyz swept the title series of the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association 18 and Under boys league Tuesday night.
The Southwest Boyz “A,” rebounded from a Saturday upset, to outlast Kalepa Hillsiders, 38-37, for third place in the league. Their counterpart, the “B” team, surged past a full-rostered Wailua team to clinch the championship, 37-54 in Game 2 at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
For the Kalepa Hillsiders who had survived an undefeated record through most of the season, this was their third straight loss, the loss coming after a missed tail end of a charity pair and a rushed putback effort at the buzzer.
With just one second remaining on the clock, Kalepa Hillsiders had a chance to force overtime against the “A” team, but after sinking the front end of the charity pair, the second shot clanged off the rim.
The rebound was snagged by Kalepa and a rushed shot at the buzzer came up short.
“It’s okay,” coach Peter Rayno told his boys, two of whom were missing from the action due to prior commitments. “You folks still had the best record so I’m still taking you folks to Hanama‘ulu Cafe.”
The victory was not a cake walk for the “A” team as Clareson Torres worked for his game-total 15 points. Kyle Achuela finished with 10 points followed by Alden Lahip claiming 7 hard-fought points.
Kelan Sakuda netted 4 points under heavy pressure and a pair from Zachary Gardien rounded out the third place victory that was settled in the second half when the “A” team outscored Kalepa 20-16 behind Torres’ 9-point showing.
Travis Stine stepped up to the plate to finish with a game-high 19 points, 16 coming in the first half when Kalepa held a 21-18 halftime lead. He was followed by Kaleo Cummings who ended the night with 10 points, all coming in the second half.
Travis Kanete ended with 6 points, including a final-period three-pointer, and a pair from Kilika Dettloff rounded out the effort.
Balanced scoring by James Sagucio, Kalen Kali-Abihai and McDonald Alop paced the Southwest Boyz “B” team to the championship.
Sagucio finished with 11 points followed by Kali-Abihai and Alop netting 10 points apiece in the hard-fought victory against a full Wailua bench and spectators.
“They (”B” team) lost to Wailua three times in the regular season,” Karen Matsumoto, KYBA coordinator, said. “Tonight, they came to play.”
Paced by three buckets from Sagucio, two from Alop, and three-point bombs from Sean Inouye and Kasey Okihara, the “B” team surged to a 16-8 first quarter only to have Wailua answer.
Cody Abigania launched a three-pointer for Wailua to ignite the crowd, and buckets from Brandon Chong, Matt Lindsey and David Mendes kept the crowd stoked as the greenshirts outgunned the “B” team 10-6.
Wailua was still in the game despite a 22-18 halftime deficit, but could not get past the tenacious “B” defense.
Following the scoring leaders, the “B” team got 7 points from Inouye and 6 points from Okihara. Javin Balisacan finished with 4 points and pairs from Braxton Garma, Xavier Guirao and Mark Guirao rounded out the win.
Mendes took the scoring lead for Wailua with 14 points followed by Lindsey finishing with a dozen marks. Abigania finished with 5 points, and pairs from Chong, Kimo Aiu and Curran Doctolero rounded out the effort.
