KALAHEO — The Kamikaze took off at the tip and never landed until they claimed the title of the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association Girls 14 Under division, Saturday.
Kristle Henry, the sparkplug guard for the Kamikaze, opened with six of the team’s eight first-quarter points en route to a game-high 16 points in the 40-23 win over the Gee’s Angels for the KYBA division title at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Mahea Hanie-Grace, several times the team’s top producer in the season, entered the fray in the second quarter, nailing a bomb from outside the three-point arc on the way to her seven-point frame. She added another trey in the third quarter to finish with 10 points for the champions.
Henry added six points as the Kamikaze built up a 25-10 lead at the half. For Henry, her major scoring was done as she picked up just four second-half points, two each in the third and fourth periods.
The quick defense by the Kamikaze kept the Angels to just single-digit scoring in each of the periods, the buzzer sounding with Lauren Claypoole getting high point honors with seven points, four coming in the first half.
Reggie McCabe did not give up and finished the night with five points, four coming in the first half. She was joined by Uinise Paua, the tall girl opposite Claypoole, who chalked up her game-total five points in the second half.
Pairs from Joy Claypoole, Raquelle Matayoshi, strong on defense for the Angels, and Uilani McCabe rounded out the effort.
Following the double-digit scoring by Henry and Hanie-Grace, Lele Hanie added three and pairs from Lauren Hanano, scoring her bucket in the final stanza, Shaylee Huni, key for Kamikaze rebounds, Kawehi Louis-Diamond, and Kawai Calderon each added pairs. The crowd erupted when Calderon entered the game with stickers on both cheeks and splitting the Angel defense for a pair in the third period.
With the title for the Girls 14 Under settled, the Kamikaze travel to O‘ahu next week where they will be participating in a tournament.
The championship match for the Boys 14 and Under will take place Tuesday night at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center starting at 6 p.m.
