LIHUE — Kauai High School’s varsity girls basketball team defeated Waimea, 44-34, at home Friday evening. “We were able to able to capitalize on those (free throws), and got a little bit of separation in the fourth quarter,” said Kauai
LIHUE — Kauai High School’s varsity girls basketball team defeated Waimea, 44-34, at home Friday evening.
“We were able to able to capitalize on those (free throws), and got a little bit of separation in the fourth quarter,” said Kauai High head coach James Dingus. “One thing we’ve been talking about in practice was execution and taking care of the ball. I thought in the fourth quarter, especially in the last four minutes or so, we were able to do that and really take advantage.”
With a three-point lead after three quarters, the Red Raider girls (3-3 KIF, 1-1 2nd round) outscored the Menehune in the final period 14 points to seven.
“We slowed down when we needed to slow down. We just worked together and we got our passes down. We’ve been working on that a lot,” said Red Raiders junior guard Monique Tomacder. “We rebounded a lot. That helped us.”
“They (Waimea) did a pretty good job of crashing the offensive boards. They got some second-chance points. It’s something that we don’t want to make a habit,” Dingus said about the closely contested first half. “They did a good job. Got to give them credit — competing and fighting. They were able to get some good things happen that way.”
Despite the end result, Waimea head coach Brandon Moises said it was the best team effort he has seen this season.
“Despite all that, we fought the whole game. We played a smart game. We weren’t in foul trouble,” Moises said. “Regardless of the outcome on the scoreboard, today was significant in that the idea that what we’re trying to accomplish as a program at Waimea, people are starting to buy into.
“They’re starting to understand. The selfishness got eliminated tonight,” he added. “The players played for each other instead of themselves. You could see that. The emotions were controlled.”
The Menehune girls were without junior forward Shania Kahepu’u. She had to sit out one game after being ejected in the team’s last game versus Kapaa on Jan. 8.
“She’s a girl growing. I give her credit. She was accountable for what happened. She took the punishment. The team stepped up and played hard for her,” Moises said of Kahepu’u. “We’re going to come back on Tuesday even more focused and even more ready to go with her suited up playing.”
Tomacder had nine points, two rebounds and two steals for Kauai High. Sophomore center Taegan Keep had a double-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Sophomore guard Cierra Tanicala had eight points, three steals and an assist.
Senior forward Brandee Burton had nine points, six rebounds and a steal for Waimea. Sophomore guard Monique Joy Lorenzo had eight points, four steals, three rebounds and three assists.
Waimea won the junior varsity game, 49-37. Sophomore guard Kiarra Palacio had 16 points for the JV Menehune.
Red Raiders sophomore forward Kaylee Braun had 14 points.
Despite the win, Menehune JV coach Natalie Mata said it was a sloppy game throughout for the team.
“It was like ‘Bad News Bears,’” Mata said. “Bad offense, bad defense. But we managed it and came out with a win.”
“They picked up a little bit (in the fourth quarter). But then again, they could have done better,” she added.
Waimea (0-5 KIF, 0-1 2nd round) will host Kapaa (5-0 KIF, 1-0 2nd round) on Tuesday. The JV game will begin 5:30 p.m. and the varsity will follow.
Kauai High will host Kapaa on Friday.
