LIHU‘E — The Merv Lopes Kaua‘i Hoops Classic, hosted by Team Central, will began play on Wednesday and play through the championship contest on Sunday, July 12. The 12-team boys event is split up into two divisions, 14U and 16U.
LIHU‘E — The Merv Lopes Kaua‘i Hoops Classic, hosted by Team Central, will began play on Wednesday and play through the championship contest on Sunday, July 12.
The 12-team boys event is split up into two divisions, 14U and 16U. Four teams from neighboring islands will be making the trip to compete in the tournament.
Ali‘i Basketball-O‘ahu, coached by Shawn Kinimaka and Swoosh Basketball O‘ahu, coached by former Hawai‘i Pacific University player Kawika Smith and Ernie Paulo will be in the 14U division.
The Kaua‘i teams they will take on in pool play are Hanakila, coached by Philip Baclayon; Kalepa, led by Peter Rayno; Papalina, coached by Clyde Vito and Sean Andrade; and Team Central, coached by Guy Higa and Stephen Pascua.
In the 16U division, Swoosh Basketball-O‘ahu are coached by Marc Sumida and Matt Hoe and the NJB Warrios-Hilo are led by Randy Apele and Clifford Victorine.
They will do battle with Gee Unit, coached by Cecil Gee and William Aki, as well as Kalepa, Papalina and Team Central, all with the same coaches.
The opening action on Wednesday will be 14U Kalepa vs. Hanakila at 7 p.m., followed by 16U Gee Unit vs. Kalepa at 8 p.m.
This is a drug free event and admission is free. All games will be played at the Wilcox Gymnasium on the campus of Island School in Lihu‘e.
Contacted by e-mail, Merv Lopes wants to wish all teams much luck and to “keep all efforts sincere.”
