WAIMEA – Futi Tavana scored a team high 31 points and Aukai Dennis did just about everything a basketball player can do Friday to lead Kaua’i to a 74-66 win over Pahoa on the second day of the Waimea Invitational
WAIMEA – Futi Tavana scored a team high 31 points and Aukai Dennis did just about everything a basketball player can do Friday to lead Kaua’i to a 74-66 win over Pahoa on the second day of the Waimea Invitational Basketball Tournament at Clem Gomes Gymnasium.
Kaua’i (2-0) remains perfect in the year’s first preseason tournament. The Raiders defeated Word of Life Thursday, 79-63.
Pahoa, after handing Kapa’a a 52-44 loss the day before, fell to 1-1 at the Invitational.
In other games Friday, Kaahumanou Hou defeated Kapa’a (0-2), 53-45, and Waimea (2-0) beat Word of Life, 62-43.
Several free-throws by Dennis and Warren Lee in the waning moments of the fourth quarter sealed the win for Raiders, who led slimly for much of the second half.
Dennis, who assisted Tavana down low throughout the game to ignite lengthy Raider runs, finished with 16 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals. Tavana brought down 9 rebounds and had three blocks, one which stifled a Pahoa comeback late fourth quarter.
Koa Navarro added 10 points, Alec Reichle had 7, Kaupili Akau finished with 6 and Lee 4.
The Raiders were out-rebounded 38-35, but Pahoa’s 11 turnovers gave them enough opportunities to maintain their lead.
Pahoa was led by Jaemar Sibucao’s 19 points and 13 rebounds. Bronson Ganir had 15 points, Ashley McGuire chipped in 14 and Owen Flores added 10.
Games will continue on Saturday at Clem Gomes. Kaahumanou Hou will face Kaua’i High at 11 a.m., Word of Life will play Kapa’a High at 12:30 p.m. and Pahoa faces Waimea High at 2 p.m.
