KAPAA — Kapaa High School’s varsity girls basketball team defeated Waimea, 45-31, on Friday evening at home. With the win, the Warrior girls finished the Kauai Interscholastic Federation regular season undefeated. “We really are a sisterhood. This is the strongest
KAPAA — Kapaa High School’s varsity girls basketball team defeated Waimea, 45-31, on Friday evening at home.
With the win, the Warrior girls finished the Kauai Interscholastic Federation regular season undefeated.
“We really are a sisterhood. This is the strongest team I’ve played on,” said Kapaa senior forward Tori Daligcon. “We bounce back quick. We forgive each other quickly for the mistakes we’ve done. We just all have that really strong bond and trust in each other.”
Kapaa (8-0 KIF, 4-0 2nd round) scored 16 points in the second quarter to go into halftime with a 24-15 lead.
“Because of the way we started the game, with the starters I had, we slowed the ball down a little bit just to make sure we had control,” said Kapaa head coach William Aki. “They did good. We scored a few points before the seniors went it. It got a little sloppy in the middle, but we worked it out.”
Waimea (0-8 KIF, 0-4 2nd round) finished the season without having won a game.
“The girls did good. Seven seniors wake up and they’ll get ready for the real world,” said Waimea head coach Brandon Moises. “We give Kapaa credit where credit is due. I’m just most proud of the fact that these girls learned how to become a team. They learned to play for each other and they put the selfish part on the side.”
Despite the record of this season, Moises said the underclassmen have learned and should benefit from it going into next year.
“Can’t be any more proud of their efforts — the heart that they gave for each other. In the end, they came up short. But success within the lines — next year’s group will take from it and go,” he said. “Progress. Baby steps, but progress.”
The game was also Kapaa’s senior night. Five Warrior seniors were recognized at halftime: Daligcon, guard Alexi Cordero, guard Kunani Tuttle, center Siokapesi Paua, and forward Atelaite Tafea.
“Playing here, it’s basically been my home for the past four years with both volleyball and basketball. I pretty much lived in this gym. This is like my second home,” Daligcon said. “It just feels so good. It’s our senior night. We’ve been looking forward to this since we were freshman.
“Honestly, I didn’t think it would come this fast,” she added. “I was kind of dreading this whole week. I wanted it to happen, but I didn’t want it. It’s a very bittersweet feeling.”
Despite it being senior night, not one senior was in Kapaa’s starting five.
“All five seniors missed practice on Saturday,” Aki said. “Whether you’re a starter or not, it’s just my rules and I have to stick by them regardless. I know it’s senior night, but it’s not our last game. We still have states to go.”
“A few of them came up their freshman year. Some came up their sophomore year. Through adversity and playing with with the girls that they played with in the past, it helped them to get to where they are today,” he said about his senior class. “I’m blessed to have those five play for me this year. For me as a coach, I enjoy them. That’s why I do it.”
Daligcon had nine points, six rebounds and three steals. Freshman guard Jaliyah Casem had 13 points and three assists for Kapaa. Junior guard Paea Tafea had six points, six rebounds and three blocks.
Sophomore guard Monique Joy Lorenzo had eight points, four rebounds, a steal and an assist for Waimea. Senior guard Alyssa Miyamoto had seven points, four rebounds and two steals. Junior forward Shania Kahepu’u had six points and four rebounds.
Kapaa also won the junior varsity game, 50-39. Freshman forward Mele Tafea had 18 points for the JV Warriors. Menehune sophomore guard Kiarra Palacio had 21 points.
Kapaa, who have won three consecutive KIF championships, will go on to play at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Girls Basketball Championships – Division II state tournament, which begins Feb. 10 on the Big Island.
“As far as expectations, all I really want is for us to stay as we were all season long,” Aki said. “It’s not easy to try to keep everybody in the right frame of mind. Through adversity, everything we’ve been through, the girls pulled out a good season. As far as states go, we’re looking forward to it. We’re hoping we get seeded.”
