LIHUE — The Red Raiders junior varsity squad won in splendid fashion to kick off the second day of the Kapaa Goodwill preseason basketball tournament. Kauai’s JV boys basketball team defeated Hana of the Maui Interscholastic League, 60-19, Friday afternoon
LIHUE — The Red Raiders junior varsity squad won in splendid fashion to kick off the second day of the Kapaa Goodwill preseason basketball tournament.
Kauai’s JV boys basketball team defeated Hana of the Maui Interscholastic League, 60-19, Friday afternoon at Kauai High School.
“We kind of focused on what we were working on in practices. Not really on the game. We worked on personal stuff more than anything else,” said Kauai coach Danilo Tutop.
The Red Raiders were most productive offensively in the third quarter with 21 points. Freshman forward Gavin Toyofuku had six points in that period. Freshman forward Joshua Rivera and freshman guard David Pascua each had four.
“On defense, that starts everything to begin with,” Tutop said. “We start everything off our defense, and then we run and try to score quick, easy points if it’s there.”
Danilo added with a 31-15 lead following the first half, he wanted to ease up a little and try other things the team has worked on in practice.
“Since we had the early lead, in the second half we kind of slowed it down and tried to work our halfcourt offense,” he said. “If the opportunity to run was there, if it was given, then we’ll take it. But we were hoping to slow down and work something that we worked on in practice just to see how it goes — if the timing was right and all that kind of stuff.”
Kauai sophomore guard Michael Dasalla led the team in scoring with 15 points. Toyofuku and freshman forward Roed Pagatpatan each ended with eight points.
Hana had its most success in the second quarter with 12 points. Senior center Shaka Kalalau had six points in that quarter.
“This team was really good. You can tell they know what they’re doing,” said Hana coach John Kahalehoe. “Their defense was just suffocating us. We couldn’t get into any of our plays. Credit their defense for creating their offense. … They had a lot of points off the fast break.”
Kahalehoe said he tried different defensive schemes in the second half in an attempt to slow down Kauai’s offense, but to no avail.
“We tried three different defense, and nothing could stop their shooting. Their shooting was high percentage,” the Dragons coach said. “We need to take care of the ball. We need to cut down on turnovers.”
Kalalau was Hana’s leading scorer with eight points. Senior guard Chasen Kanakaole had six points.
Results from the rest of Friday’s contests from Kauai and Kapaa High Schools were not available by press time.
Today is the last day of the Kapaa Goodwill Tournament. Kapaa High School will host all of today’s games, starting with Hana versus Kapaa’s B team tipping off at 9 a.m.
