LIHU‘E — The Waimea Lady Menehune started the second half of their season with a 42-27 win over the Kaua‘i Red Raiders, Friday night at the Kaua‘i High School Gym. It was the Waimea defense which carried it to the
LIHU‘E — The Waimea Lady Menehune started the second half of their season with a 42-27 win over the Kaua‘i Red Raiders, Friday night at the Kaua‘i High School Gym.
It was the Waimea defense which carried it to the victory, giving up just 10 points in the second half — only two in the fourth quarter.
Forward Erin Connelly was the team’s high scorer with 10 points in a very balanced offensive attack.
Jayme Jacinto and Vakeesha Lagazo each notched seven points, while Robin Moura and Cassandra Owen had four points apiece.
Cheyanne Duarto knocked down a fourth-quarter 3-pointer for her only score of the night, while Bristy-Ann Agu also netted three points in the game. Moana Henriqes rounded out the Waimea stat sheet with two points, as well as a celebration after her second-quarter bucket.
Kaua‘i guard Kristle Henry scored a game-high 12, while Janessa Grady and Kawehi Louis-Diamond scored five and four points, respectively.
Jennifer Grady, Jasmine Mariano and Lacey Lucas each scored two points for the Raiders.
The Lady Menehune defense was strong from the outset, forcing the Raiders into turnovers and low-percentage shots for the majority of the first quarter. They held Kaua‘i scoreless until the 1:52 mark of the opening period, when Henry made one of two free throws.
The Raiders managed just three free throws and no field goals in the first quarter, falling behind by an 11-3 score at the period’s conclusion.
They got the offense going early in the second quarter, as Henry nailed a three to cut the deficit to five.
Janessa Grady also connected from long distance, which was followed by a Louis-Diamond layup bringing Kaua‘i right back into the game at 14-11.
Agu answered for Waimea, going coast-to-coast and coming away with a three-point play and a six-point lead.
Henry found Lucas underneath for a layup, which sent the teams to the locker rooms at halftime with Waimea holding a 19-17 lead.
The Raiders stayed within striking distance for much of the third, thanks to strong defense, but Jacinto put in a very difficult left-handed layup while falling away from the basket to give the Lady Menehune a 33-23 lead — their biggest of the night to that point.
Trailing by eight as the fourth quarter began, Kaua‘i could not get anything to fall and Waimea slowly increased its lead.
The Raiders were held without a point until Henry scored on a layup with 3:22 to play in the game, but that was their only score of the quarter as Waimea came away with the 15-point victory.
In JV action that preceded the varsity game, Kaua‘i was a 35-32 winner over Waimea, with Casey Anacleto again leading all scorers with 18 points.
Shyanne Sadora added 10 for Kaua‘i, with Alexis Hernandez scoring six and Mariah Dias notching one.
Nicolei Banasihan was the top scorer for Waimea with eight, followed by seven points apiece from Jullynn Ramos and Marissa Hesapene.
Jessica Soriano scored four and Jessica Tangalin, Jofferlyn Perpose and Patria Tagavilla each chipped in two.
Girls games will continue Tuesday, as Waimea will tangle with the Kapa‘a Lady Warriors at the Waimea High School Gym. JV will take the court at 5:30 p.m., followed by varsity.
The Island School Voyagers will host Kaua‘i in a JV exhibition game, Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Island School.
