Kaua‘i Ballers, Hanakila 14s outpace opponents

KALAHEO — The Kaua‘i Ballers broke away from a 13-13 second quarter stalemate and never looked back on their 49-25 win over Team Lihu‘e, Monday night at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.

That was one of two Boys 14 and Under games in the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association and County of Kaua‘i Youth Summer League.

Balanced scoring from Tajh Mapuhi, Jhay Karl Dante and Ronsen Fujii highlighted the final game of the night, a Boys 12 and Under game, when Team Lihu‘e edged past the West Kaua‘i Hornets, 27-19.

Mapuhi led the Lihu‘e boys with eight points, followed by Dante adding seven marks and Fujii finishing with six points for the win.

Ardino Ned had the game-high scoring honors with 16 points for the West Kaua‘i 12s.

Earlier in the night, the West Kaua‘i Hornets 14s struggled to keep up with the taller Hanakila 14s, ending the night on a 53-11 loss at the hands of the North Shore team headed by Mike Stevens and Phil Baclayon.

James Stevens, one of the Hanakila low posts, finished with a game-high 14 points in the win, followed by Denmark Aladin with nine points.

Seaton Farias led the Hornets 14s effort with five points.

Mark Lacierna topped the Team Lihu‘e 14s with 16 points in the effort to keep up with the Kaua‘i Ballers in the night’s opener.

Junard Mata finished with a game-high 20 points in the Kaua‘i Ballers’ win, followed by Michael Booth adding 11 points.

The 18 and Over boys inaugurate their summer season with three games on tap, Thursday night at the Bernice Hundley Gym at Kapa‘a High School starting at 6 p.m.

Hanakila 18s open against an opponent to be named starting at 6 p.m., followed by the H1 and 1 taking on the Kaua‘i Ballers 18s at 7 p.m. The Warriors will host the Bus Drivers in the 8 p.m. finale.

• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.