Trey Aguano finished with a game-high 19 points to pace the Kalepa Hillsiders, but Marlon Cudiamat was right behind at 18 points to lead Hanakila to a 44-42 win for the championship of the Boys Under 14 Kaua‘i Youth Basketball summer league, Tuesday at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center.
“The championship game between Hanakila and Kalepa was exciting and fun to watch,” said Karen Matsumoto, KYBA coordinator. “It was close throughout the game. Trey’s treys and Hanakila defending their home court — terrific game!”
Earlier, the battle for third place came up empty as both the G-Unit A and G-Unit B did not have enough players to post a game, resulting in a cancellation.
Kalepa, handing Hanakila a loss on the opening night of the 2009 Merv Lopes Kaua‘i Hoops Classic last Wednesday, opened with the three-point bombs, one each by Aguano, Christian Garma and Kerwin Morano, to finish with a 13-8 lead in the first frame.
Cudiamat, being held to just four points in the first quarter, exploded for 11 points, and coupled with a three-point bomb from James Paik, outshot Kalepa 18-12 in the second period to take a one-point advantage, 26-25 at the half.
That see saw continued through the second half with Cudiamat’s sole field goal, his only score of the second half, giving Hanakila a 7-5 edge in the final period.
The rivalry between the two teams brewed through last week following the opening game battle at the Merv Lopes Kaua‘i Hoops Classic. That was followed by Hanakila redeeming its Wednesday night loss with a victory at home Thursday night to finish the KYBA season undefeated.
Tuesday night’s victory gives Hanakila an undefeated season in the KYBA league, led by Cudamat’s 18 points. His performance also earned him the Most Valuable Player honor for the league.
Cudiamat was followed by Kala Kauhane, Hanakila’s quick big man inside getting seven points, Colby Baliaris adding six including a three ball, and Paik finishing with five points, including the trey. Nick Lu finished with four third-quarter points and James Stevens had three second-half points to round out the win.
Aguano finished with five of the eight three-balls launched by Kalepa.
Morano, getting one of the treys, finished with nine points followed by Chanse Ramirez and Garma finishing with six points each. A pair from Kevin Esteban rounded out the effort.
