Kauai High School’s varsity boys basketball team placed fifth at the 2019 Snapple Boys Basketball Championships-Division II state tournament.
“The kids played really hard and well,” said Kauai varsity boys basketball head coach Ipo Yoshioka in a phone interview Saturday. “We wanted (to win) that first game, but they were just a little bit strong for us, and we just didn’t make free throws. But we set the goal, and we got there. The kids finished strong.”
He added: “The goal all along was to get to (the championship game). We came up a little short, but the other thing was to accomplish what we did today, which was to get a second win and finish strong. That’s what they did. They kept their focus.”
In the fifth-place game, Kauai defeated Kaiser High School of the Oahu Interscholastic Association, 52-38, Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.
“We hit our free throws, and we played really well defensively,” Yoshioka said. “And we rebounded well today.”
Converted free throws helped Kauai. The Red Raiders were 15 of 21 from the free throw line, while Kaiser was 7-17.
Kauai’s Ricky Malu Ralston posted a double-double with 15 points, 12 rebounds, a block, a steal and an assist. Kaimani Tecson also scored in double-digits with 10 points, eight rebounds, five steal and two assists.
“Kaimani, he’s played hard, and Malu was just in the right places at the right time. We fed him the ball today, and he made his baskets and he played under control,” Yoshioka said.
Hunter Dias totaled eight points, three rebounds and a steal for Kaiser.
In the opening round on Thursday, Kauai lost to No. 2 seed Farrington High School of the OIA, 62-52.
Then on Friday in a consolation game, Kauai edged University Laboratory School of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu in overtime, 50-48.
“Last night’s game, again, the free throws weren’t falling. But the kids stepped up on defense,” Yoshioka said. “They stayed on their assignments. It was a fun game to coach and watch.”
Kauai High closes its season with a 14-1 record, going 2-1 at states and a undefeated 12-0 in the Kauai Interscholastic Federation season to win its third consecutive league championship.
“They work for their goals. They had a goal to set, they accomplished it, and it was fun to watch them do it,” Yoshioka said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world with these kids.”
Saturday’s Division II results
Fifth place: Kauai (KIF) 52, Kaiser (OIA) 38
Third place: Hawaii Prep (BIIF) 48, Seabury Hall (MIL) 34
Championship: No. 1 Damien (ILH) 39, No. 2 Farrington (OIA) 21
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.
Where was this at? SSC. I actually go shopping at Nieman Marcus store at Ala Moana Shopping Center. The cheaper clothes are worth $150 dollars just for the clothes. Imagine that.
Mahalo for your outstanding tournament performance and gaining 5th place in Div II. Watched your games and you guys are great team of basketball players. From the Class of 1960, with a 1 and 12 record.