KALAHEO — Team Lihue’s Sierra Neves scored eight of her game-total 12 points in the second half Monday. But coming from a 26-11 halftime deficit against the Westside D-1 girls, the effort fell short despite Team Lihue firing off a
KALAHEO — Team Lihue’s Sierra Neves scored eight of her game-total 12 points in the second half Monday. But coming from a 26-11 halftime deficit against the Westside D-1 girls, the effort fell short despite Team Lihue firing off a 16-9 second half during the Kaulupono summer basketball league at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Paige Connelly set the bar with her game-high 13 points, including a three-ball in the first half and finishing 2-for-2 at the charity stripe.
Overall, Westside coach Brandon Moises balanced his team, working the players through different phases of the game, including a point where the girls were launching everything from outside the three-point arc.
Tiana Apilado, one of the upcoming ball handlers, fired off a trey toward her six points, and Caitlyn Owen finished with a three-ball toward her nine points.
Team Lihue had its weapons as well, Sierra Neves getting help in the paint from Savannah Neves and Laura Koga, both players finishing with a pair apiece, but providing key defense inside.
Guard Marissa Martinez had her rotation onto the floor and finished with four points.
Keolani Neves and Cierra Tanicala each added three points, Tanicala’s coming from a three-ball in the second half, triggering a round of cheer from Team Lihue fans.
Following the defeat, the Team Lihue D-4 boys were held to just two buckets throughout its matchup against Team Central-Black.
Xaerys Dela Cruz and Keane Tibon eached notched buckets, but not for the lack of trying.
Instead, Team Central, led by Braeden Simao and Justin Faidley, kept the smaller Team Lihue boys on the outside.
Simao topped the Team Central scoring with nine points in its 26-4 victory, Faidley adding five points. Kurtis Fujita-Pascua fired off Team Central’s pair of three-balls in the second half for six points and Jaron Ruiz-Acantikido finished with six points and a lot of hustle as a guard.
Kaulupono summer basketball will host games Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at both the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center and at Kapaa High School gym.
