KALAHEO — Kauai Lynx coach Clarence Sales said he told the girls to slow the pace of the game Tuesday night during the summer youth basketball games at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center. In Kalaheo, two teams — Na Koa fifth
KALAHEO — Kauai Lynx coach Clarence Sales said he told the girls to slow the pace of the game Tuesday night during the summer youth basketball games at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
In Kalaheo, two teams — Na Koa fifth grade boys, and Kauai Lynx fifth grade girls, who played in the recent Las Vegas tournaments — were on the floor.
“Not all of the fifth grade girls went to Las Vegas,” said Dino Padilla, one of the officials. “But they had several who went and played up.”
The handful of girls set the pace for the night, running ahead of the Dream Team fifth grade girls division, 16-10.
“I told them to slow the game,” Sales said. “But you saw what happened — they just ran.”
Angeline Nizo set the pace for the Lynx on both sides of the ball, netting six of her eight points in the first half when the Lynx sat on a 12-3 lead over the Dream Team.
Olivia Malafu ignited the Dream Team’s second-half effort when the girls in green outscored the Lynx, 7-4, in an effort that came up short at the buzzer.
Malafu and Kiani Pia Salvador, playing the shooting guard position, led the effort with three points apiece. Lilinoe Makepa Andaya, despite a strong effort in penetrating the Lynx defense, was held to a pair.
Nizo topped the Lynx scoring on eight points followed by Kadee Parubrub with six points. Jazlyn Phillips had a pair.
Earlier, Na Koa coach Kamahalo Kauhane said he is working on a summary of Na Koa’s achievements in Las Vegas. His efforts were interrupted by a game against the Lihue Lakers in the boys fifth grade division.
Keaka Kauhane exploded with four bombs from outside the three-point arc, including three in the second half, to lead Na Koa to a 39-26 win over the Lakers who showed balanced offense from its roster in the effort. Keaka finished with a game-high 14 points in Na Koa’s win followed by Nash Ah Loo with 13 points on six field goals.
Bryan Brown netted six of his eight points in the second half to lead the Lakers’ effort. He was followed by Bryden Kawakami, Dylan Watanabe and Kaeden Ballesteros each with four points. Isiah Sales and Austin Green each dropped three points.
