KAPA‘A — Siokapesi Paua scored 10 points to lead Kamikaze to a 27-12 victory the Kaua‘i Ballers, Tuesday night at the Bernice Hundley Gym in Kapa‘a. The Kamikaze victory keeps the team undefeated with an 8-0 record in the Summer
KAPA‘A — Siokapesi Paua scored 10 points to lead Kamikaze to a 27-12 victory the Kaua‘i Ballers, Tuesday night at the Bernice Hundley Gym in Kapa‘a.
The Kamikaze victory keeps the team undefeated with an 8-0 record in the Summer Youth Basketball league hosted by the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association and the County of Kaua‘i.
Tori Daligcon-Pomaikai and Hunter Rodgers led the Kaua‘i Ballers, a team described by official Peter Rayno as “The Iron Five” for its tenacious play on the court despite fielding just five players for the Tuesday game.
Another “Iron Five,” Team Lihu‘e, outlasted Hanakila, 36-24 behind a 15-point effort from Maylssa Manera and 11 points from guard Ashley Lucas. Lucas was all over the floor in the absence of Laura Koga who watched the action sidelined with crutches and a heavy bandage on her ankle as a result of Monday night’s game against the senior Kaua‘i Ballers.
Lihu‘e, coached by Max Manera, was also whittled down to just five players when one of its players traveled to the wrong gym, and despite an effort to return to Kapa‘a, never made it in time for the game.
Despite being outnumbered and playing before a Hanakila fan base showering the floor with enthusiastic vocal support, Lihu‘e prevailed.
“We have a pretty good program,” said John Kaneholani, one of the Hanakila coaches, the team being comprised mainly of players from the Hanalei and Kilauea areas. “There are about 70 adults in the booster club and they are responsible for the team shirts and stuff.”
Keani Toleno paced Hanakila scoring with 13 points for the girls.
The Lihu‘e girls, with the Tuesday night win, improved to 7-1 in the standings for second place and Hanakila dropped to 3-4 with one more game scheduled against Kaulupono-White.
Another Hanakila team, the Boys 12 and Under, took the floor with Triston Hawelu-Inanod and Lawrence Abela combining for 15 points in its 43-17 win over the Team Lihu‘e Boys 12 and Under matchup which got Jhay Karl Dante leading the Lihu‘e effort with 10 points in Kapa‘a.
Kaulupono-Blue, paced by eight points from Breeann Cayaban, took a 25-10 win over Kaulupono-White in one of three games scheduled at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
The win improves Kaulupono-Blue to a 6-2 record in the Girls Under 12 division.
Low post Teagan Keep provided the firepower for Kaulupono-White with eight points, tying Cayaban’s performance.
Briggs Agu netted a game-high 25 points to lead the Westside Basketball, coached by Dino Pabre, to a 50-14 showing over the West Kaua‘i Hornets who got 10 points from Ardino Ned.
Brennan Suniga finished with 12 points and Michael Dasalla added 11 points to lead Team Lihu‘eX to a 41-33 showing over the Kaua‘i Ballers who got 13 points from Hunter Bethel and 11 points from Thomas Yam.
KYBA next hosts a trio of Men 18 and Over games, Friday at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center when the Bus Drivers open against GEK starting at 6:30 p.m. Manny’s Sports, a team comprised mainly of Kapa‘a High School alumni, goes up against H1 and 1, a Kalaheo-based squad, at 7:30 p.m.
