KALAHEO — Autumn Warnock had an opportunity to drive the D1 Ballers ahead in the final 17 seconds Tuesday in Kalaheo. But hitting just one of two foul shots, the D1 Ballers — with coach William Aki — fell 35-36
KALAHEO — Autumn Warnock had an opportunity to drive the D1 Ballers ahead in the final 17 seconds Tuesday in Kalaheo.
But hitting just one of two foul shots, the D1 Ballers — with coach William Aki — fell 35-36 to the D1 Kaulupono team and coach Bobby Kamakele in the Kaulupono basketball summer league at the Kalaheo Neighorhood Center.
Earlier in the evening, the Kaulupono D2 girls controlled the game for a 45-31 win over the Ballers D2 girls, and in another nail biter, the Westside D2 girls under coach Robyn Hoopii-Manuel came back from a 17-9 halftime deficit to outgun Team Lihue, 18-6 in the second half and seal a 27-23 win.
The Kaulupono basketball summer league features four girls divisions fielding 17 teams with players from grades 3 through 12.
Girls divisions include four teams in division 1, or players in grades 10 through 12, five teams in division 2, or players in grades 8 and 9, three teams in division 3, or players in grades 6 and 7, and five teams in division 4, or players in grades 3 through 5.
“The question is whether or not they can make it,” said Kaulupono coach Kamakele, who had players in his D2 squad playing up in the D1 matchup. “But they have help from some of the older kids, so we’ll see how they do.”
Tuesday night’s outing featured three girls games at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center and three boys games played at the Kapaa High School gym.
No scores were available for the boys’ games by press time.
Casey Anacleto, a standout guard for the Kauai High School program, topped the Kaulupono D1 edge, with 14 points, including four from outside the three-point arc.
Schae-Marie Tavita, netting eight points for the Kaulupono D2 win, added eight points to help the Kaulupono D1 edge.
Kiarra Palacio, topping the Kaulupono D2 win with 16 points, including a pair of treys, helped the D1 girls with six first-half marks along with scrappy guard Monique Lorenzo, who ended the D1 game with six points. She was held scoreless in the D2 match.
Team Lihue jumped out to its 17-9 halftime lead behind Sierra Neves’ hot hand dropping 11 points, including three treys. But she was held scoreless in the second half by the tenacious Westside defense.
Neves was joined by guard Marissa Martinez, who finished with six points, Malyssa Manera dropping a three-ball in the second half, Lezlie Namoa getting a bucket in the first half and Kelani Neves making one of two free throws in the second half.
Westside scoring leaders included Brandee Burton, whose dad Josh and Waimea coach Brandon Moises sat on the bench with coach Hoopii-Manuel, finishing with seven points, including a five-for-six showing at the free throw line, Lauren Lagoc and Shania Kahepuu each adding six points.
The Ballers’ D2 squad saw Jaliyah Casem net 15 points, including a first-half three-ball, Jazzlyn Kaleiohi coming up with six points and Tamere Daligcon-Pomaikai adding five marks.
Annie Ballesteros lit up the twine for the Ballers D1 squad with 15 points followed by Sierra Shigematsu, whose brother Sean Michael plays for the University of Hawaii football team, adding 10 points. Warnock finished with five points, four coming in the first half, and Taysia Goodwin dropped a three-ball.
Games continue Thursday with three games at Kapaa High School and three games at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Kapaa action starts at 6 p.m. when the Ballers D2 Girls open against Team Lihue followed by the Ballers D2 Boys hosting Lepo Ula. The final game will see the Ballers D1 girls going up against Team Lihue D1 girls.
Kalaheo games open with the Westside D2 Girls taking on the Kamikaze followed by the Bad Boys D2 taking on Team Lihue. The nightcap will have the Westside D1 Girls taking on the Kaulupono D1 Girls.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
