Despite two forfeited games, players still took to the hardwood over the weekend in the Kaua‘i Summer Youth Basketball league. Coach Nouveau Naumu celebrated his wedding and combined with several of The Bus Drivers’ players being off-island, the Bus Drivers
Despite two forfeited games, players still took to the hardwood over the weekend in the Kaua‘i Summer Youth Basketball league.
Coach Nouveau Naumu celebrated his wedding and combined with several of The Bus Drivers’ players being off-island, the Bus Drivers forfeited its Friday night match to GEK in the Men 18 and Over division.
But after recording the forfeit, GEK “lent” a couple of players to The Bus Drivers so a pick-up game could be played, Kalen Abihai, home on leave, being able to play with his father Willy.
Kalen graduated Waimea High School last year and joined the Army and over the weekend, was returning from a tour in Afghanistan heading to his station in North Carolina.
“It was great they were able to enjoy some time together playing basketball,” said Karen Matsumoto, the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association coordinator.
West Kaua‘i Hornets, playing in the Boys 12 and Under division, saw just one player, Sailen Farias, showing up at the Bernice Hundley Gym in Kapa‘a resulting in a forfeit to Team Lihu‘e X.
After recording the forfeit, Team Lihu‘e X rallied its players to create a second team for another pick-up match.
Briggs Agu notched a game-high 20 points to lead Westside Basketball to a 41-25 win over Team Lihu‘e who got 14 points from Tajh Mapuhi in the second of three games played Saturday.
Hunter Bethel topped the scoring for the Kaua‘i Ballers in its 25-22 edge over Hanakila in the third Boys 12 and Under match, Saturday. Triston Hawelu-Inanod ended with eight points for Hanakila with Lexton Camat adding five points.
Tab Matsumoto fired up 30 points and Trent Thompson added 13 points to lead H1 and 1to a 65-61 overtime edge over Manny’s Sports in the second Men 18 and Over game, Friday in Kalaheo.
Spam Lindsey topped Manny’s Sports with 21 points followed by Mike Lindsey adding 13 points and Bryan Andres ending with 11 points in the effort.
Both teams were tied at 54 points at the end of regulation and in overtime, foul trouble plagued both squads with H1 and 1 leaving the floor with the win.
Ian Khan ended with an evening high score of 33 points to lead Go EZ to an 80-71 win over the Kaua‘i Ballers in the final Friday night matchup.
Levi Berton added 21 points to Khan’s lead and Jared Auna finished with a dozen points in the win.
Willis Batol paced the Kaua‘i Ballers effort with 16 points followed by Kainoa Colipano adding 12 points.
Six games, three at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center and three at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, are on tap Tuesday night starting at 6 p.m. at both sites.
Westside Basketball takes on the Kaua‘i Ballers in the first of three Boys 12 and Under games at 6 p.m. in Kilauea followed by Team Lihu‘e matching up with the West Kaua‘i Hornets at 7 p.m. Team Lihu‘e X goes up against Hanakila in the 8 p.m. tipoff.
At the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, Hanakila takes on Kaulupono-White in the only Girls 12 and Under match at 6 p.m. Team 808 takes on BAM in the first of two Women 18 and Over games starting at 7 p.m. followed by TUNDAZ taking on the SHAKERS at 8 p.m.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
