WAIMEA — Kauai High School’s varsity girls basketball team defeated Waimea, 31-25, on the road Tuesday evening in the team’s last game of the season. “One thing about this group of girls is when they get on the court, they
WAIMEA — Kauai High School’s varsity girls basketball team defeated Waimea, 31-25, on the road Tuesday evening in the team’s last game of the season.
“One thing about this group of girls is when they get on the court, they work hard. That’s about all you can ask for,” said Kauai High head coach James Dingus. “Waimea made it competitive — made it tight there in the fourth quarter. But we were able to make enough plays to get a win. Good way to end.”
In the final minute, Red Raiders junior guard Monique Tomacder hit a 3-pointer to extend Kauai’s lead to six.
Kauai sophomore center Taegan Keep was the game’s leading scorer with 19 points, 11 rebounds and a block.
With the win, Kauai High concludes its Kauai Interscholastic Federation season with a 4-4 record, going 2-2 in the second round.
“Yesterday at practice, (assistant coach Neil Fagarang) came up to me and asked, ‘What’s going through your head?’ He said, ‘Do you wish you tried harder these last three years?’ I said, ‘Yeah,’” said Red Raiders senior guard Marissa Martinez. “I definitely wish I did try harder, but it is what it is. But I’m so proud of how much we grew as a team.”
Waimea (0-7 KIF, 0-3 2nd round) celebrated its senior night.
Seven Menehune seniors were recognized following the game: guard Alyssa Miyamoto, guard Lauren Lagoc, forward Brandee Burton, center Melia Okura, center Alyssa Pigao, forward Schae-Marie Tavita and center Charissa Wa’alani.
“It was a tough loss. All the seniors wanted it. I’m sure all the girls did along with the coaches,” Burton said. “I felt like we fought all the way through to the end. That’s all we ask of each other, and that’s all coaches ask out of us.”
“We were really pushing for tonight to be our first win, especially for the seniors,” she added. “Hopefully, we can get (a win against) Kapaa on Friday.”
Waimea head coach Brandon Moises said though the loss was disappointing, he hopes his seniors can leave the program with values that can help them after leaving high school.
“We set out to teach these girls that being selfish is not going to get you anywhere, and that being part of a team comes with responsibilities. You got to play for your teammates before you play for anybody else,” he said.
“These girls, they got to be recognized for their efforts: Okura, Burton, Pigao, Lagoc, Miyamoto and Wa’alani,” Moises added. “I will miss those those seniors because of their attitudes coming in. They were open-minded with the coaches. They stood up to the bad attitudes in the locker room.”
Martinez had six points, four steals and two assists. Tomacder had five points, seven rebounds and a steal.
Burton had eight points, two rebounds, a steal and an assist. Tavita also had eight points, along with a rebound and an assist.
Waimea won the junior varsity game, 41-14. Sophomore guard Kiarra Palacio had 18 points for the JV Menehune.
Sophomore forward Kaylee Braun had eight points for Kauai.
Waimea will play at KIF winner Kapaa (7-0 KIF, 3-0 2nd round) in the season finale on Friday. The JV game will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity will follow.
“We’re coming into Friday as if it’s our championship game,” Moises said. “Nothing like putting a blemish on the champ’s record before going to states. But, they earned it because they play as a team. They play for each other. They don’t look into the crowd for reactions. Those are the things that we envy to be. So give credit to them, but like I said, we’re going into Friday as if it’s a championship game.”
