From one game to the next, you just don’t know what to expect in the world of Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation varsity boys basketball. Many times, the games go right down to the final shot in the final seconds. There’s just
From one game to the next, you just don’t know what to expect in the world of
Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation varsity boys basketball.
Many times, the
games go right down to the final shot in the final seconds.
There’s just
three teams in the KIF, yet none of the three have been able to become dominant
over the years.
Coming into the season, Kaua’i High was the clear-cut
favorite, having beaten O’ahu power Kalaheo in the preseason.
And the Red
Raiders were also clearly the dominant team in the league’s first round with a
3-1 record.
The Waimea Menehunes, with a lack of numbers and size, weren’t
expected to compete for the title, but they’re still hanging in the title race
with just one week left in the season.
The Menehunes were clicking during
midseason when they had the hold on the ever-elusive KIF momentum. But two
straight losses have put a little bit of a damper on their chances.
The
newest momentum-holders are the Kapa’a Warriors, winners of two
straight.
The Warriors had a so-so first round, and things began to look
really dismal when they dropped the opener in the second round to
Waimea.
But, in the KIF, the question is always “what have you done
lately?” and the Warriors can answer “a lot” to that one.
Kapa’a came
through with a 63-62 last-second win over Kaua’i on Tuesday and then followed
up by dominating the Menehunes in a 75-61 victory Friday.
All of this is
leading to this week’s conclusion.
On Tuesday, Waimea visits Kaua’i with
the Menehunes needing a win to stay alive. The Raiders, on the other hand, need
the win to try to seize back momentum.
Either way, the last game of the
regular season on Friday night — Kaua’i at Kapa’a — shapes up as a real
thriller.
If Kaua’i beats Waimea Tuesday, then Friday’s game would be for
the second round title.
If Waimea beats Kaua’i Tuesday, then there’s two
possible scenarios for Friday: Kapa’a winning and clinching the second round or
Kaua’i winning and forcing a three-way tie for the second round.
For a
little fun, here’s a few words for just some of the key players out there this
season:
John Patch (immovable force), Kekoa Chun (improving inside), Justin
Matsukawa (binds the team together), Kapu Hendrickson (multi-dimensional),
Willy Carollo (hustling play-maker), Rhyan Greenleaf (ability to finish off
plays)…
Brad Lum-Tucker (multi-talented, calm leader), Brandon Ramos
(keeps the pace), Mason Ceria (sound fundamentals, sizzling shooter), Jason
Kashiwabara (tough inside), R-Jay Pillos (shooter, play-maker,
run-and-gunner).
Adam Henkel (athletic swingman), Jesse Erese (long-range
bomber), Chesley Barba and Gilroy Castro (speedy ball-hawkers), Nikko Naumu
(smooth, quick, makes-it-happen), Sam Bustillos (rebounds!)
