LIHUE — Kauai High School’s boys basketball team went through the first round undefeated as it knocked off Waimea 49-38 at home on Saturday night. Red Raiders head coach Ipo Yoshioka said teamwork was the key. “Everything, our emphasis is
LIHUE — Kauai High School’s boys basketball team went through the first round undefeated as it knocked off Waimea 49-38 at home on Saturday night.
Red Raiders head coach Ipo Yoshioka said teamwork was the key.
“Everything, our emphasis is about team,” he said. “That the hardest thing, getting one team together and trying to get them to click at the right time. We hope (now) is the right time.”
Kauai’s offense picked up steam during the second half and scored 28 points to Waimea’s 17 after the two teams ended the first half tied at 21.
“All the other games, we start out slow in the first half and come out fast in the second half,” said Kauai junior guard Jassem Cumlat. “The coaches addressed to us that we had to come out fast if we want to win this game.”
Cumlat scored 14 points for Kauai (4-0 in first round), including two buzzer-beaters at the end of the second and third quarters from 3-point range.
“I think they were worried about our big guys,” he said. “Melvin (Tingzon) did well the last game against Waimea. I think they were worried about him and the three pointers were open.”
Waimea head coach Chris Acoba said center Bobby Oliver wasn’t as productive inside during the second half, which allowed Kauai to pull away.
“He only had two rebounds, I think, through that whole second half,” he said. “When he goes, we go … If he does good, the team just follows along and rolls with him.”
Oliver scored six points, all in the first half. He also was a force on defense with several blocks.
Acoba added that pressure situations were troublesome.
“Still got to work on that man-to-man pressure,” he said. “That killed us throughout the game.”
Waimea (1-3 in first round) kept the game close during the first half at the free throw line made seven of eight attempts.
Those opportunities, however, were severely cut down during the second half as the team was sent to the charity line only once.
Acoba added while he’s pleased with the team’s improved free throw shooting, he was disappointed more opportunities weren’t given during the second half.
Menehune forward Christian Acob said Kauai simply “came out hot” after halftime.
“They got their lead and their confidence developed from there,” he said. “They were just making shots.”
Acob scored nine points for Waimea.
Yoshioka said while he’s glad his team won the first round, the season is still not over and expects the second round to be just a tough, if not tougher, to play through.
“It’s the way it is. It’s what KIF is,” he said. “You got to fight for what you want and you got to take care of business.”
Acoba said this game showed him what his team needs to improve on and hopes his team can make those changes and be competitive for the second round.
“That’s what’s good about basketball. There’s two rounds, so anything can happen,” he said. “We’ll just go back to the drawing board. Monday, we’ll start over.”
Junior varsity:
Kauai’s junior varsity squad defeated Waimea 66-29.
Kaone Miguel scored 17 points for Kauai and Waimea’s Kelly Ragasa scored eight.
