KALAHEO — Ian Khan got off to a slow start, but once he got going, finished with a game-high 36 points to lead the Batty Boys to a 71-64 win over the Kalaheo Stars, Tuesday at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
KALAHEO — Ian Khan got off to a slow start, but once he got going, finished with a game-high 36 points to lead the Batty Boys to a 71-64 win over the Kalaheo Stars, Tuesday at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
The victory earned the Batty Boys the championship in the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association 18 and Over men’s basketball league that started in mid-March.
“Tab (Matsumoto) gave us a hard time,” said Khan following the game. “The (Kalaheo) Stars spotted us 10 points before we could get going, and Tab was everywhere.”
Khan, who posted 20 points in the second half, 13 coming in the final stanza, was surprised that Matsumoto finished with just 25 points to lead the Stars’ attack.
Matsumoto’s total came with four three-balls of the eight posted by the Stars from outside the three-point arc.
The long ball is the strong suit for the Stars, but on Tuesday, the team was limited to one each from Braxton Garma, Jim Aronica, Ian Clements and Nouveau Naumu.
Khan posted two treys along with Micah Bermoy, enjoying a strong second half, and one from Kyle Pigao for the Batty Boys.
Kalaheo started strong, outscoring the Batty Boys 30-26 in the first half before the Batty Boys came alive in the third stanza with a 22-18 showing and exploding for a 23-16 final frame for the victory.
Following Khan, Bermoy posted 14 second-half points and Pigao netted nine of his game-total 11 points in the second half. Clareson Torres and David Medeiros each posted five points.
Matsumoto was the only Kalaheo player with double-digit scoring at 25 points. Nouveau Naumu was limited to nine points with Ian Clements and Trent Thompson adding eight points each. Braxton Garma finished with five points, Olin Claussen ended with four second-half points before fouling out, Jim Aronica ended with his only three-ball and a pair from Brandon Wong rounded out the effort.
Kekoa Prem and Canaan Higa each bucketed two free throws apiece in overtime, while Tropang-L, after a strong second-half comeback, was limited to just one point in overtime as Manny’s Sports locked up third place in the league with an 84-81 win.
Fans from the Tropang-L camp were given a thrill as the “Full Blooded Illocano” team stayed close with Manny’s Sports throughout the night, the fans erupting in screams each time a Manny’s player hit the free-throw line.
Jr. Punzalan, the Tropang-L’s player-coach, ignited the crowd with his away-from-the-pack breakaways, capitalizing on loose balls and outlets, finishing with a game-high 28 points.
James Badua circled the perimeter of Manny’s zone defense, and found the net for 23 points. Jaymark Serapio added 14 points, including a final-frame trey. Eugene Mariano added eight points with Ian Nerida and Sammy Perpose each finishing with four points.
Prem topped the Manny’s scoring with 27 points, including the critical overtime charity pair that clinched third place. Higa followed with a dozen points, including two free throws with just five ticks remaining on the clock. Manolito Pescador finished with 10 points including two first-half bombs from outside the three-point arc. Kekoa Colipano and Matt Lindsey each finished with nine points, Spam Lindsey lit up the final period with eight points including two three-balls. Bronson Bautista added seven points and four third-period points from James Padre accounted for the win.
Karen Matsumoto of the KYBA said with the completion of the 18 and Over league, she will concentrate on getting the younger players started next week.
