Lombardo leads Team Lihu‘e Bulls’ win

Jacob Lombardo launched a three-point bomb in the final minute to break a 27-27 deadlock and lead Team Lihu‘e Bulls to a 30-27 win over Papalina-Orange Wednesday night at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.

“We almost went into overtime again,” said Karen Matsumoto of the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association, who assists county Division II youth basketball with scoring and field officials. “Papalina-Orange came in with a full bench tonight. The high-pointers for Papalina were missing during the Tuesday night win.”

Lombardo finished with a game-high 20 points and got four points from Sonny Boiser in the Team Lihu‘e Bulls’ win, while Trey Taba ignited the Papalina-Orange effort with 15 points followed by Gunnar Burkman adding seven points and Blake Lewis finishing with a pair.

Earlier in the evening, Lexton Camat pocketed 18 points and Noah Rall added eight points to lead Hanakila to a 38-31 edge over the Kaua‘i Ballers who saw Teili Fonua finish with 10 points and Brenton Garcia marking six points.

“The Kaua‘i Ballers with Coach Willy Aki gave Hanakila, coached by Philip Baclayon, a good run, too,” Matsumoto said. “The Eastside teams know how to bring their game.”

Hero Roslin finished with six points to round out the scoring leaders for Hanakila, while Cheysen Barretto and Micah Lalin each dropped four points for the Kaua‘i Ballers.

The county’s youth basketball league takes a break for the Prince Kuhio weekend to allow the players to participate in the Coach Dennis Agena and Kalakaua Basketball clinic, which started Saturday at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center.

Matsumoto said they have more than 75 students registered and several volunteer coaches to assist at the clinic.

About 30 students plan on riding The Kaua‘i Bus to the three-day clinic.

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