LIHUE — A bad pass and a botched inbound play in the final six seconds proved costly to Papalina who dropped a 29-27 heartbreaker to the Kona Stingrays Thursday afternoon at the Island School gym. After leading 14-11 at the
LIHUE — A bad pass and a botched inbound play in the final six seconds proved costly to Papalina who dropped a 29-27 heartbreaker to the Kona Stingrays Thursday afternoon at the Island School gym.
After leading 14-11 at the half, the Stingrays regrouped during the break and came back to outgun Papalina 18-13 behind the charging of Seth Mattes who finished with high-point honors for the Stingrays on 10 points, eight of which came in the second half including a perfect 4-for-4 showing from the charity stripe.
Quinten Hanato launched a pair from outside the three-point arc in the Division 3, or intermediate school students, games and kept the Stingrays close.
Orion Smith, who finished with five points, broke a 27-27 stalemate with seven ticks showing on the clock with a bucket in traffic for the 29-27 go-ahead.
C.J. Cromartie scored a game-high 14 points to lead the Papalina effort, including the sole trey launched in the first half.
The game was one of 80 games scheduled for the four-day Merv Lopes Kauai Hoops Classic tournament which opened at the Island School gym. Other games featuring Kauai and visiting teams are scheduled for the Kauai and Kapaa high school gyms.
Division play includes Division 1, or 12th grade and under, Division 2, or 9th grade and under, and Division 3 which involves 7th grade and under players.
Joining the Stingrays, visiting teams include Imua who took the floor against the Utiqiagvik team from Alaska in a Division 2 match. The Alaska team is coached by former Kauai boy Roland Hepa.
Other teams include the Upcountry Elite who beat out hosting Team Central girls 13-5 in an exhibition opener at Island School. Other teams include the Aiea Blazers, Asing Heat, Dream Hoops Elite, Just Play, and Team Dream.
Kauai teams participating include Team Central, Papalina, Hanakila, Kauai Ballers and the Westside Basketball Club.
Clarence Sales, coordinator for the four-day tournament, said this year they are featuring a Division 1, 12th grade and under, girls section which will host its championship on Saturday starting at 2:30 p.m. at Island School.
The boys’ championship games will take place Sunday starting at 2:30 p.m. at the Island School gym.
Today’s action starts at 1 p.m. at Island School featuring Just Play taking on Kahului. Kauai High School play starts at 3 p.m. featuring Division 3 Team Dream taking on Papalina, and games at Kapaa High School start at 2 p.m. featuring Kaulupono taking on Upcountry Elite in a Division 3 exhibition match.
