Final: Roosevelt 65, Kailua 48. The Rough Riders finished strong, getting 16 points from point guard Sharice Kawakami. Kailua was in this until the final minutes. The Surfriders look like a potential D-I state-tournament team.
Fourth quarter, 5:15: Roosevelt 52, Kailua 38.
Rough Riders are on an 11-2 run. Kailua has lost a lot of energy, partly due to Roosevelt’s tight halfcourt man defense. Roosevelt’s bigs coming up with steals for transition layups.
End third quarter: Roosevelt 41, Kailua 35.
The Surfriders keep battling. Patria Vaimoana, their talented post, scored six points to help her team get within six. Roosevelt pulled back and stopped pressing fullcourt in the third, maybe to save their legs. We’ll see.
Kailua’s sophomore guards, Delcie Williams and Tara Takata, have been impressive. Williams can do just about everything inside and out. Takata is a smooth point with a nice shot, easily their best shooter, though she has taken just five shots so far.
Halftime: Roosevelt 32, Kailua 21.
The Rough Riders lead 32-21 at halftime thanks to an 18-7 second-quarter run.
They’re putting their quickness to work, using a fullcourt press and double-teaming out of their halfcourt man defense. Kailua hasn’t played badly at all. When the Surfriders run their sets, they get good looks, but 13 turnovers have hurt.
Roosevelt’s backcourt depth is a big plus. Starters Starr Rivera (seven points) and Sharice Kawakami (eight) have been solid, as usual, but reserve Ashley Kiko added five big points, including a 3-point buzzer beater to end the first half.
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