KALAHEO — Justin Fune’s final drive for Lepo Ula was the difference in its 31-29 edge over the Kaua‘i Ballers 1 Thursday night during the county’s Division 3 boys basketball games at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center. In the second match, Papalina
KALAHEO — Justin Fune’s final drive for Lepo Ula was the difference in its 31-29 edge over the Kaua‘i Ballers 1 Thursday night during the county’s Division 3 boys basketball games at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
In the second match, Papalina netted a bucket and a foul shot in overtime to take a 40-37 win over Kaua‘i Ballers 2.
“We had a couple of close games,” said Karen Matsumoto of the Kaua‘i Youth Basketball Association, the scorekeeper for the county’s youth basketball league. “Lepo Ula played with just seven players, and it was Justin Fune’s drive in the final minute, which gave them the winning shot.”
Lepo Ula built a 15-8 lead over the Ballers 1 at the half, and by the end of the fourth period, had increased the margin to eight points before the Ballers 1 made its comeback, pulling to within a pair 23-25 at the end of the fifth period. But the comeback fell short as Fune took control of the ball in the final minute of play.
Fune topped the scoring with 13 points followed by Edmelle Medina adding five points and Keoni Gaoiran finishing with four points in the win.
Kaua‘i Ballers 1 low post Morris Unutoa topped the purple shirts’ scoring with seven points followed by Chysen Barretto and Saxsen Shiira each adding six points in the effort.
The Papalina and Kaua‘i Ballers 2 matchup was even closer as both teams tied more than twice, ending the second period with a 6-6 deadlock, and again stale-mating the match 21-21 at the end of the fourth period.
A foul just ticks away from the end of play forced the overtime as the Kaua‘i Ballers 2 player hit his free throw for the two-minute OT.
But the momentum swung over to Papalina’s side where a bucket and a free throw proved to be the margin of victory.
Brayden Miyamoto topped the Papalina win with 13 points followed by Noah Sasil adding a dozen marks. Ryan Banasihan added six points and Trey Taba finished with five points.
Floyd Fitzgerald topped the Kaua‘i Ballers 2 scoring with 12 points followed by Limuel Julian adding seven points and Celerino Udani finishing with six points.
Two boys Division 3 games and a girls Division 2 game are on tap for Monday at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center when the Hanapepe Sinister opens against Lepo Ula at 6 p.m. in the first Boys Division 3 match. The Kaua‘i Ballers 2 will take on Team Lihu‘e Black in the second game starting at 7 p.m.
Kaulupono 1 will take on Kaulupono 2 in the single girls Division 2 match which tips off at 8 p.m.
There are no games scheduled for Tuesday, the Prince Kuhio holiday.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
