WAIMEA — Denise Alfonso and Norma Tuulangavalu combined for 27 points on Friday night to lead Kapa‘a to a 57-33 win over Waimea High School during the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation girls basketball game at Clem Gomes Gym.
Kapa‘a controlled the floor from the tip off, netting 22 points in the opening stanza while holding Waimea scoreless until Waimea’s Katelyn Constantio triggered the fans’ cheers with her bucket near the close of the quarter. That was her only score in the game.
Led by Tuulangavalu’s six-point contribution in the second quarter, the Lady Warriors outgunned the Menehune to a 39-8 lead. Waimea’s six points came on buckets by Tyra Valencia, Hailey Mata and Ari Acosta.
Coming off the break, Waimea turned the tables on Kapa‘a with a 14-5 showing by slowing the tempo and taking sure shots. Waimea was led by Tristan Raposas, scored six points, including a three-ball. Floor commander Mata added four marks in the turnaround.
Waimea continued to adapt, going to a press defense in the fourth frame where Kapa‘a outscored the Menehune by a bucket, 13-11 for the final.
Alfonso topped all scorers with 15 points, followed by Tuulangavalu with 12 points. Warrior guard Taira Samiano finished with nine points, including a three-ball in the fourth quarter, and inside post Olivia Malafu added eight marks. Annie Nizo, who peeled off four treys against Kaua‘i, was held to just one trey and five total points.
Waimea got its lead from Raposas, who finished with 11 second-half points, followed by Mata with six points, and Acosta, entering the game with height for the Menehune, with six points. Constantino, Shaylen Leah Guerrero, Stephanie Companero, and Kiaura Rita-Ortiz each dropped a pair in the effort.
The Lady Warriors host Kaua‘i on Monday at Bernice Hundley Gym with the Junior Varsity tipping off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the varsity taking the floor 20 minutes following the end of the JV game.
The boys’ basketball program, ending its preseason tournaments, first enter the arena, Tuesday when Kapa‘a hosts Waimea at the Bernice Hundley Gym, and Island School hosts Kaua‘i High School at the Wilcox Gymnasium on the Island School campus. The JV games tip off at 5:30 p.m. at both sites with the varsity contests 20 minutes after completion of the JV games.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
