KAPAA — The Warrior girls lead the standings halfway through the season’s first round. Kapaa High School’s varsity girls basketball team defeated Waimea, 33-29, at home Tuesday evening. “It was sloppy throughout the whole game,” said Kapaa head coach William
KAPAA — The Warrior girls lead the standings halfway through the season’s first round.
Kapaa High School’s varsity girls basketball team defeated Waimea, 33-29, at home Tuesday evening.
“It was sloppy throughout the whole game,” said Kapaa head coach William Aki. “We gave them too many chances to come back on us. We cannot afford to do that the whole season. It’s another win, but we got to take from what we did tonight and fix our game.”
While both team’s were in the bonus in the fourth quarter, Kapaa (2-0 KIF) had the majority of chances at the free throw line to help get the edge. The Warriors were 6-19 at the free throw line in the last period and 12-28 total.
Waimea was 2-4 in the fourth quarter and 7-15 total.
“All that went through my mind was to do my job, pass the ball and do whatever I can to help the team,” said Kapaa freshman guard Jaliyah Casem.
Kapaa was without senior center Siokapesi Paua for personal reasons.
“It’s a big blow to us. She’s going to be missing two more games,” Aki said. “We’re working in practice to try and compensate for that loss. Hopefully, we can come back out in the next game, not look so sloppy and control the game a little bit better.”
Waimea (0-2 KIF) had two point guards, starting sophomore Monique Joy Lorenzo and senior Lauren Lagoc, go down to injuries in the fourth quarter.
“We never rebounded from the two injuries,” said Menehune head coach Brandon Moises. “We had two turnovers at the same time. Those two turnovers resulted in the change in lead.”
Warriors senior forward Tori Daligcon-Pomaikai also was injured late in the last quarter.
Casem had 11 points, four steals and an assist for Kapaa. Junior guard Paea Tafea had and a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and also had three blocks.
Lorenzo had eight points, three rebounds, two steals and an assist for Waimea. Junior forward Shania Kahepuu had five points, three rebounds and two steals.
In the junior varsity game, Waimea rallied from a double-digit deficit to beat Kapaa, 44-43.
Waimea JV head coach Natalie Mata said the second-string girls brought the team back.
“I took three of my starters out. Put in my bench, and they came back,” Mata said.
Menehune JV sophomore guard Kirra Palacio had 22 points. Freshman forward Ehu Keala had 10 for the JV Warriors.
Kapaa will host Kauai High (1-1 KIF) on Tuesday. The JV game will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity will follow. Waimea will next play at Kauai on Tuesday, Jan. 5.
