KAPAA — Kapaa High School’s boys basketball team still has a chance to win the second round of the season. That’s because the Warriors defeated Waimea 49-29 at home on Friday night. If the team beats Kauai High School on
KAPAA — Kapaa High School’s boys basketball team still has a chance to win the second round of the season.
That’s because the Warriors defeated Waimea 49-29 at home on Friday night.
If the team beats Kauai High School on Tuesday, then Kapaa will have at least forced a playoff game to determine who will win the second round.
“Two things we got to take care of. One of them is finishing the game and taking care of the ball,” said Kapaa head coach John Kaneholani. “The other one is making sure we can shoot free throws down the stretch. Then, we’ll be fine.”
With the win, Kapaa (3-4 overall, 2-1 in second round) said goodbye to its 10 seniors who played their final regular season home game.
“This is a great moment for me and my team,” said Kapaa senior forward James Stevens. “We’ve all known each other since before high school. Nothing can beat our bond. It’s more than just teammates to me. It’s more like brothers.”
Stevens scored eight points in the game.
Though the night was dedicated to the seniors, it was junior Matt Cummings who led the Warriors’ offense in scoring with 13 points.
“It was a big boost for us. We can carry this momentum onto the next game against Kauai High,” said the Kapaa forward. “We focused and we played our game.”
Kaneholani said his team has come together as he envisioned before the season started and its next game against Kauai is the opportune time to show it.
“Now is the right time for them,” he said. “They finally got some understanding of what they need to do.”
Waimea (1-6 overall, 0-3 in second round) head coach Chris Acoba said turnovers continue to cause trouble for his team.
“The effort was there … We get a good steal, but then we turn it right back,” he said. “That’s what killed us.”
Menehune senior forward CJ Kahepu’u clashed heads with Kapaa senior guard Keliikoa Baclayon as both dove for the ball during a play in the first quarter.
Kahepu’u was cut deeply over his eye as a result. Blood spilled on the court, which delayed the game for several minutes.
“I thought it was all sweat. I swiped my eye, looked at my hand and it was blood,” the Waimea forward said. “After I touched it, that’s when it started gushing.”
Despite the cut, Kahepu’u said he was determined to return to the game and hopes the cut won’t prevent him from playing the team’s last game of the season.
“I don’t plan on missing it,” he said. “Hopefully, I can put some points up on the board.”
Waimea will play its last game of the season at home on Friday against Kauai.
“Hopefully, we can come out with lots of energy and more effort,” Acoba said. “It’s the last game of the season, senior night. Nothing better than to come out and fire it out.”
Kapaa will attempt to force a playoff game at Kauai (6-0 overall, 2-0 in second round) on Tuesday.
“We couldn’t quite beat them in the past, but we’re really motivated,” Stevens said.
Junior varsity:
Kapaa’s junior varsity team defeated Waimea 51-33.
Kapaa’s Junard Mata scored 17 points and Waimea’s Seaton Farias scored 12.
