Menehune Basketball: Lahaina Boys 35, Waikapu 12 – February 7, 2012

Herzain Cardenas up for two

Shot my first boys Menehune game of the year. The match up was against Waikapu, a team that won it all last year. That team featured Kody Takushi, who starts at guard as a freshman for Baldwin. It also had Joven Dela Cruz’ son and Sam Balantac’s son, so there was a definite Lahaina connection. There was also a Pascual on the team, although not related to yours truly. His dad is Audie Pascual.

Lahaina, on the other hand, was a bunch of fresh faces of a team that finished 3^rd in the Menehune league last year. Gone from that team is Josh Chapital, who plays meaningful minutes as a freshman for Lahainaluna. Also part of that team were Marvin Sidon, Cyrus Kama, Amateo Flores, Ryan Madera and Wayne Alibin. Current team members are: Chris Kaniho, Drew Austin, Kalalani Kaaikala, Justin Inovejas, Michael Niu, J.D. Rosario, Jacob McCoy, Calen Matsuda, Kia Kenolio, Herzain Cardenas, Sky Freeman, Carver Locke and C.J. Palma.

This game was no-contest. The Lahaina team dominated Waikapu from start to finish.

Kalalani Kaaikala

Herzain Cardenas tries to shoot over Balantac

Calen Matsuda

C.J. Palma

Kalalani Kaaikala

Kia Kenolio

Chris Kaniho

Herzain Cardenas

This was my first time shooting a Menehune game in old Wailuku gym. Talk about old school. The gym is poorly lit and there is no space on the sidelines or baseline to safely shoot photos.  I decided to perch myself on the corner and shoot from there. Because of the layout, you are right on top of the action. I shot with a 24-70 but went with a 70-200 for close ups. I had to really crank up the ISO’s due to the dungeon-like lighting in the gym. Man, I’ll take War Memorial or Lahaina Civic Center over this venue any day!

For more photos, click here.