Tafea leads Kanu win in Kalaheo

KALAHEO — Loni Tafea notched 17 points to lead the Kanu Elite to a 24-14 win over the Kauai Thunder on Monday night during the Kaulupono Summer Basketball League games at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.

Balanced scoring from Kauai Thunder saw Joshua Rego, Matthew Rivera, Shayden Peralta, and Jr. Sanchez put away pairs to keep the Thunder down by one point, 9-8, at the half. The Kanu Elite answered the challenge when Tafea exploded for 11 points to lock up the division 4 match.

Rivera finished with high-point honors for the Kauai Thunder on four points, followed by Keylan Felipe-Calapatia netting three second-half points and pairs from Rego, Peralta, and Sanchez. A second-half digit by Joe Ansel Puplava rounded out the effort.

A pair of girls’ games wrapped up the night. The division 4 Dream Team took a 34-8 victory over the young Kaulupono team, and the Westside Girls held off Team Central, 23-18, in the nightcap.

Alexie Ann Yam set the pace for the Dream Team with a game-high 18 points.

Kani Pia Salvador added six points, Jade Ines and Lele each had four points, and Tatum Luczon ended with a pair in the win.

Isley Ulanday, strong in the paint and on the drive, set the pace for Kaulupono with four points.

Amalya Sales of Team Central finished with high-point honors in the match with eight points. However, the effort came up short as the Westside Girls were led by Deyshia Kenney with seven points, Cori Burton with five points and Braeanna Moises with four points. They also got strong performances from its low posts Raelee Samio and Momi Martins, who pressured Team Central into quick shots from the outside.

Following Sales, Jasmyne Ballesteros tucked in five points for the Team Central effort.

Games continue Thursday at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center starting at 5:30 p.m.