WAIMEA — Kauai High School erupted for 17 points in the third quarter to defeat Waimea at Clem Gomes Gym in a Kauai Interscholastic Federation boys basketball game Tuesday.
With the scoring spread over seven Red Raiders, the explosive frame catapulted Kauai to a 57-43 win before an audience equally enthusiastic about its teams
“We got a slow start,” said Kauai’s David Pascua. “That first half, we just were not playing our game, and the coaches told us to pick up the pace for the second half.”
The normally fast-paced, high-scoring Raiders were held to six points in the first quarter, and returned the favor by holding Waimea to four marks.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Pascua said. “Waimea was all-in and has been fighting hard to win. We just picked it up in the second half and finished strong. This was another team effort where everybody got to play.”
Kaimani Tecson, who received a technical foul in the first half, topped the Raider scoring roster of 10 players, teasing the twine for 12 points. CJ Cromartie added nine points before being benched following the Raiders’ second technical foul that popped up in the second half, attesting to the very physical nature of the game.
“Both sides played hard,” said Waimea coach Dino Pabre. “It came down to the end — Kauai made their free throws. Everyone needs to learn how to control themselves. Despite that very physical side, this was a fun game. Our boys are playing better with better defense.”
Waimea’s Wade Pimsaguan topped all scorers with 14 points. Eilon Jamrabon added nine points, and Arnie Fernandez coughed up six points in the fourth quarter.
“The Raiders blitzed us in the third quarter,” Pabre said. “They came out firing and we couldn’t keep up. During the half, we talked to the boys about how to conduct themselves on the court. This was more important than winning the game. We’re adults and should know the difference between right and wrong. The game came down to shooting.”
As a preview of things to come, the Kauai High School junior varsity turned to production from nine of its players to roll to a 69-44 victory. Xaerys Dela Cruz topped the firepower on 17 points with Micah Agtunong adding 14 points.
Aden Ringor, scoring 10 of Waimea’s 11 first quarter points, topped the Menehune JV with 18 points followed by Damien Akita adding eight marks.
Kauai next hosts Kapaa on Thursday at the Kauai High School gym when the JV game tips off at 5:30 p.m. followed by the varsity match.
“This is going to be a battle,” Pascua said. “We are going back to practice.”
Waimea enjoys the bye until Saturday when they make the drive to the Bernice Hundley Gym in Kapaa.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
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