Waimea High School’s varsity girls basketball team advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2019 Snapple Girls Basketball State Championships–Division II state tournament.
Waimea defeated Waipahu of the Oahu Interscholastic Association, 59-48, in the opening round Wednesday at Damien Memorial School in Honolulu.
The Menehune girls will play No. 4 seed Hawaii Preparatory Academy of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation in the quarterfinals at 5:30 p.m. today at Damien Memorial School.
“This wasn’t the best of wins that we had. Really sloppy, but again, the girls pulled it out. A win is a win,” said Waimea head coach Natalie Mata in a phone interview Wednesday. “I’ll just blame it on first-time nerves. They were nervous.”
Mata pointed out the team’s struggle to make shots. Waimea was 20-57 from the field and 17-35 from the free throw line. Waipahu was 22-61 from the field and 3-9 from the free throw line.
“Free throws and making their layups, it’s basically what they’re specialized in. They were pretty bad today, so that’s what we got to brush up on,” Mata said.
Waimea, though, built a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. The Menehune outscored the Marauders, 18-10, in the period.
“I think it took them that long to relax, get their jitters out and play their game,” Mata said. “It took longer than expected, but in the fourth quarter, they played how they played before.”
Menehune sophomore guard Kaye Serapio posted a double-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds and seven steals. Sophomore guard Kierstin Gummerus had 22 points and four steals.
Junior guard Anna Penitusi and freshman forward Mia DePonte each scored 14 points for Waipahu. Senior guard Hunter Quemado had 10 points for the Marauders.
Wednesday’s Division II results
Opening round
Game 1: Farrington (OIA) vs. Saint Francis (ILH), 7 p.m., result not available by press time
Game 2: Waimea (KIF) 59, Waipahu (OIA) 48
Game 3: University (ILH) 54, Kau (BIIF) 40
Game 4: Hanalani (ILH) vs. KS-Hawaii (BIIF), 7 p.m. result not available by press time
Info from Hawaii High School Athletic Association.
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
