WAIMEA — With just over a minute left in the fourth quarter of a tied game, the Waimea Menehune turned to their shutdown offense. With possesion and milking the clock, the Menehune passed the ball around, waiting for the opportunity
WAIMEA — With just over a minute left in the fourth quarter of a tied game, the Waimea Menehune turned to their shutdown offense. With possesion and milking the clock, the Menehune passed the ball around, waiting for the opportunity to take the last shot. Unfortunately for the Menehune, Kaua‘i’s Donovan Harrison had other plans.
A Harrison steal and ensuing lay-up with 24 seconds left sealed a 36-33 win for the Red Raiders Friday night at Waimea High School.
The Menehune needed to win in order to stay in KIF title contention and the odds looked to be in their favor as they played lockdown with the ball in the last minute. But Harrison knew he might have the opportunity for a steal, he just had to pick his moment.
“I knew they were going to pass it,” Harrison said. “I just went for it and got the steal.”
Both teams came out of the gates sluggish, with Waimea clinging to a 18-17 lead at the half. The start of the third began slow as well, but the game was ignited by Harrison above the rim.
With five minutes remaining in the third quarter, a Kaua‘i lay-up attempt hung on top of the rim and started to fall out. But as the ball was coming out of the hoop, Harrison rose to the rim, grabbed the ball and slammed it home to pull the Red Raiders within a point at 19-20.
“I went up there just in case he missed and when the ball came out, I was still up there and put it back in,” Harrison said. “I’ve never done that in a game before.”
After Harrison’s putback, the tempo of the game exploded as both teams amped up the aggression.
The lead changed back in forth until the final moments before Harrison gave the Red Raiders the final lead.
The Menehune had their chances throughout the game. In addition to the attempted final possession, Waimea missed several key free-throws in the final quarter.
“This was our toughest loss all year,” Waimea head coach Nouveau Naumu said. “I’ve been saying it all season long: We have to take advantage of opportunities given to us. Unfortunately we didn’t.”
The Waimea loss wasn’t for a lack of effort. Waimea players were routinely on the floor, and in one case nearly imbedded in the wall as Brandon Palacio’s effort on a loose ball brought him crashing into the stage barrier.
“They brought the intensity and played their hearts out,” Naumu said. “These kids have a lot to play for. They play for the school, family and just love for the game and this intensity showed that desire.”
The Menehune were led in scoring by Paul Oligo with 11 points, including two three-pointers. Palacio added 8 points for Waimea.
On the Kaua‘i side, the Red Raiders were paced by Ricky Tommy who scored 12 points before leaving in the fourth quarter with a face injury. Mikal Moranz added 11 while Harrison finished with 8.
The Red Raiders improved their Round 2 record to 2-1. The Kapa’s Warriors currently sit at 2-0 with games against Waimea and Kaua‘i next week.
In JV action, the Red Raiders handed the Menehune a 49-33 loss.
