In most states, the winter months can be the doldrums for sports fans. With football and other fall sports in the rearview mirror, the holidays and the beginning months of the year can be a time to kick back and
In most states, the winter months can be the doldrums for sports fans. With football and other fall sports in the rearview mirror, the holidays and the beginning months of the year can be a time to kick back and relax.
Not here on Kaua‘i.
The KIF schedule doesn’t skip a beat with the changing of the calendar. In the past few weeks, high school soccer, basketball, swimming and paddling seasons have all begun.
When I first took a look at the winter schedule, I had to do a double take. Games every night of the week? All on deadline? When will I be able to eat dinner?
But after covering the first few soccer games and anticipating the basketball season to hit full steam, I’m excited for these winter sports.
Soccer has been a real surprise so far. I’ve never been a huge soccer fan, but like many others, my interest started to peak during the 2010 World Cup with the United States amazing run into the knockout rounds.
Granted high school soccer isn’t at the level of the World Cup, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how entertaining the games here have been. Matches are fought hard and each team plays aggressive. Goals can be scored in a flurry, but also I’ve grown to enjoy watching a defensive duel highlighted by great goaltending.
The KIF soccer season has already brought a couple of good story-lines. The Kaua‘i boy’s roster is fronted by three exchange students from across the globe. The Kapa‘a and Kaua‘i girls offered the island a glimpse of what’s to come for the rest of the season last week. Kaua‘i secured a 4-2 win over the Warriors, but the game was hard fought and sparked a rivalry for the rest of the year.
Basketball is just underway with the first girls games of the year taking place this week. The girls’ bracket looks to be a horse race this season. The Red Raiders edged the Menehune in the opener, with Casey Anacleto getting off to an impressive start with three three-pointers for Kaua‘i in the 36-27 win.
Kapa‘a and Island School duked it out Wednesday night, with the Warriors squeaking out a 37-31 over the Voyagers. If the games can stay this close, and with the boys season kicking into gear the first week of January, you can bet we’ll be in for a treat on the hardwood for the next few months.
And these are just the main sports. In the pool, the KIF season started with a splash with six records falling in the first meet. Two swimmers to watch will be the dynamic freshman tandem of Kate Machorek and Yasmine Ware of Kaua‘i. Both girls broke KIF individual records and contributed to a new relay record for the Red Raiders.
And then there are the lights. Oh those glorious lights. The months of darkness are now over on Kaua‘i, as park and stadium lights are now allowed to be on at night. With the light returning to the island, look for an increase of recreational sports being played, from tennis to roller hockey.
With all these sports going on, make sure to keep reading The Garden Island as we try to keep pace with the winter madness. And don’t blink either, because right around the corner is the spring with a whole new crop of sports.
