KALAHEO — The Kamikaze-White kept its record unblemished with a 37-13 win over its counterpart Kamikaze-Red in the second of two games, Thursday. Earlier in the night, the Z Girls answered a 20-0 halftime deficit with an explosive 8-point fourth
KALAHEO — The Kamikaze-White kept its record unblemished with a 37-13 win over its counterpart Kamikaze-Red in the second of two games, Thursday.
Earlier in the night, the Z Girls answered a 20-0 halftime deficit with an explosive 8-point fourth period in a losing effort as Kaulupono girls wrapped up a 52-16 win behind 10 points from Jofferlyn Perpose.
Alyssa Vegas and Mariyah Oliver helped the cause with eight points apiece followed by Casey Anacleto finishing with seven and Asia Yasay, snagging the lion’s share of rebounds in the final period, adding six points.
Melia Okua finished with four final-period points, Jullyn Ramos had the sole three-point bomb in the game, that shot from outside the three-point arc also coming in the final period.
“She’s (Melia) only in the fifth grade,” said Cheyanne Duarte, a player from the Waimea High School JV girls team who was enjoying the game. “Plus, it’s her first year playing.”
Pairs from Nicolei Banasihan, Kaelyn Aquino-Kamakele and a digit from Taylor Gaspar rounded out the win.
Monique Lovell was on fire in the second half for the Z-Girls, leading the scoring with a bucket in the final three periods. Makena Huddy-Pila followed with four points and pairs from Shayna Sa, Keliann Nuesca and Shania Zablan rounded out the effort.
The ominipresent guards for the Kamikaze-White were all over the floor, and at one point in the second half, the White had four guards moving the ball with Gilian Gregorio acting as the sole post.
“Look, it’s the Red and White game,” said Kelson Andrade of the Papalina boys 13 and Under team who was watching from the sidelines.
That almost didn’t work for the White as guards Pili Chung and Krystle Henry drew late-game technicals for violating the 20-point ruling.
“That was close,” said Steven Matsumoto of the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association who helps with the scoring and timing chores. “Another technical for the same violation and they would’ve been out.”
Henry finished with a game-high 13 points followed by Kawehi Louis-Diamond adding eight points. Marissa Hesapene, another of the White’s quick guards, added six followed by Chung’s five points. Gregorio finished with three points and a pair from Shaylee Huni rounded out the win.
Riana Ralston, the tall post for the Kamikaze-Red, led her team with eight points followed by Annie Ballesteros finishing with three and a pair from Brandy Racca rounding out the effort.
The Z-Girls will match up against the undefeated Kamikaze-White in a single game at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center, Saturday following three boys’ matches. That game tips off at noon.
Following that, the county’s 13 and Under girls basketball program enters its final week of play at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center on Thursday and Saturday.
