KALAHEO — Coach Clarence Sales said he still gets nervous whenever he gets to the gym. “These girls have been playing together since the fifth grade,” Sales said. “But I still get nervous whenever I get to the gym.” Sales
KALAHEO — Coach Clarence Sales said he still gets nervous whenever he gets to the gym.
“These girls have been playing together since the fifth grade,” Sales said. “But I still get nervous whenever I get to the gym.”
Sales watched intently as the eighth grade version of Kaulupono, a team coached by Bobby Kamakele, handed the A‘o Uka Rebels, coached by Ryan Alayvilla, a 32-18 defeat behind the strong scoring from Kierstin Gummerus with 11 points. Kaye Serapio scored 10 points and Braelyn Cayaban had seven points in a fast-moving defensive slugfest.
Logan Kashima topped the Rebels eighth grade division with six points followed by Jaley Medeiros with four points.
The opening game at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center set the stage for the upcoming season as Sales’ Kauai Lynx, eighth grade division girls, rolled over the Dream Team, 36-13, in the second of three matches played in Kalaheo.
“These girls are learning how to do scorekeeping,” said Eric Rita, one of the assistant coaches for Kaulupono Extreme Termite teams. “These girls are in the fourth and fifth grades, and some will be playing when the Kaulupono sixth grade team take the floor against the sixth grade Rebels. They had a chance to play in the Extreme Termites which recently ended. Now, they learn how to keep score.”
Scoring distribution for the victorious Lynx eighth grade team was not available.
Alexie Ann Yam set the pace for the Dream Team with eight points, Jada Ines finished with three marks on a three-for-four showing at the charity stripe.
The Kalaheo nightcap saw Haley Medeiros net 10 points to lead the Rebels sixth grade division team to a 20-8 showing over the Kaulupono sixth graders who got four points from guard Katelyn Constantino.
“And where were you when the Supersonics ended No. 2 at Na Koa Memorial Basketball?” asked Supersonics eighth grade division coach Fran Constantino. “The Supersonic boys were in the playoffs and got past Coach Max Manera’s Team Lihue Warriors to face Na Koa Green in the finals. We dropped that game by about 10 points.”
Over at the Bernice Hundley Gym, Tim Ehia fired off eight points to lead the Warriors to a 20-18 edge over Na Koa in the first of three games contested in Kapaa. Lani Tafea led Na Koa’s effort with five points.
Other games on tap in Kapaa included Isle Hoops going up against the Yung Swag, both teams getting floor time in Na Koa’s tournament.
Tyrus Duran netted nine points to lead The Thunder to a 29-8 win over Tamba which got four points from Vince Noguchi.
The summer basketball league continues with 10 games on tap Saturday at both the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center and the Bernice Hundley Gym. The first games start at 8 a.m. at both locations.
