KALAHEO — Team Central lost little time asserting itself en route to a 51-21 win over Westside Blue Monday night. That victory gave Central an undefeated season as the county closed its 13 and Under boys basketball league with three
KALAHEO — Team Central lost little time asserting itself en route to a 51-21 win over Westside Blue Monday night.
That victory gave Central an undefeated season as the county closed its 13 and Under boys basketball league with three exciting games at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Earlier in the evening, the Hammahs held off a late-game effort for a 36-31 edge as Brian Haz iced the victory on a bucket with just eight seconds showing in the contest.
Ariel Lahip, the game’s high-pointer with 21 points, passed to an open Kaya Kanahele in the paint for an easy bucket, but the effort fell short for Westside White at the buzzer. Kanahele, in a desperation effort, launched a bomb from just inside the half-court line, swishing the twine and igniting the crowd that included a lot of players from the Kaulupono Girls 13 and Under squad. But that effort was for naught, other than to get the crowd excited.
Adam Clark had a chance to pull the Gee Unit into the black, but with seconds showing in its match against Hanakila, the tall man fouled out with a game-high 18 points, dashing any hopes of a Gee comeback as Hanakila took a 47-43 win out the door.
Keane-Shane Agoot paced the Team Central win which came from all sides of the ball as the Central defense kept the Blue in single-digit standing until late in the fourth period when buckets from Kaili Lagundino and Brandon Palacio broke the double-digits to end the period with a 34-11 deficit.
Agoot finished with a dozen points followed by Ka‘awa Solomon adding 10 points, John Das coming up with 8 points, and Duke Pauli, the team’s center, finishing with 7 points and numerous defensive plays and stops.
Palacio and Lagundino led the Blue effort, finishing with 7 and 4 points, respectively. Keanu Yamaoka also finished with 4 points for the Blue and a late-game trey from Christian Garma closed the books.
With its season complete, Central coach Clarence Sales said the team’s focus is to return to O‘ahu and the upcoming Ted Kimura basketball tournament to defend its champion status, although the team will be playing in the 14’s age group.
The Westside White came back from a 19-11 halftime deficit and started its comeback effort in the fifth period when it outscored the Hammahs 9-3, paced by Lahip who nailed a trey and a bucket.
That effort fell short but Lahip finished with 21 points including three bombs from outside the 3-point arc, all coming at critical points to keep the White in the game.
Chase Parongao swept numerous rebounds to finish with 4 points followed by Garrett Cadiente, Kanahele and Aniceto Andres each netting a pair for the White.
Jude Cruz paced the Hammahs’ win with 19 points followed by Kameron Perez adding 7 points.
Clark and Keo Nacolatahua filled in the post positions for the Gee Unit in its effort against Hanakila with Donovan Harrison providing the moving force. Those leaders finished with 18, 7 and 8 points, respectively. Makana Artaho-Aki and Keanu Whitfield finished with 4 points each, Whitfield getting several feeds from Clark in the second half. Tyler Fernandez rounded out the effort with a pair.
Mark Raza topped the Hanakila win with 16 points followed by Marlon Cudiamat and Elmer Cudiamat adding 8 and 7 points, respectively and a lot of defensive hustle. James Stevens added 6 points, Morgan Childs finished with 5 points, and Kawika Wellington and Angelito Raza rounded out the scoring with 3 and 2 points, respectively.
With the completion of the 13 and Under league, the county starts its 11 and Under league as the boys took the floor for its opening game last night.
Clyde Vito, site manager for the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, said the first games for the 11 and Under Girls basketball league starts tomorrow night.
He said the boys play on Tuesdays and Saturdays while the girls are on the floor Mondays and Thursdays.
