The KS Maui varsity Warriors basketball team got their second Warrior-Saber win of the season, 47-36, on January 28 at Ka’ulaheanuiokamoku Gym.

The win broke them out of a tie with Maui High School, putting them in fourth place in the division (2-8) over the Sabers who are now fifth (1-9).

The first quarter started with the Sabers making a 3-point shot within the first 15 seconds of the game. The Warriors’ RJ Moku quickly retaliated with a 3-point shot of his own, but the Sabers scored another 3-pointer, filling the crowd with excitement just within the first minute of
the game.

The Warriors took control of the ball, keeping the Sabers down to only five more points that quarter, while they racked up 14 more. The first quarter ended, 17-11, and the Warriors never gave up their lead again.

“We usually never score too well in the beginning,” Moku said. “It [the first basket] gave us fire, confidence, and momentum.”

The Warriors gained a large lead over the Sabers during the second quarter, scoring an additional 15 points to the Sabers’ 7. The
quarter ended 32-18.

After the halftime break, the Sabers seemed refreshed, playing tough defense and offense during the third quarter. The Sabers closed the point gap from 14 to 9 by the time the third quarter ended, 36-27.

In the fourth quarter, the Sabers turned up the pressure using full-court strategies to catch up, but the Warriors matched their intensity, keeping their lead until the end and winning, 47-36.

“Tonight I liked our patience with the ball,” Head Coach Chad Kalehuaweha said. “We were able to execute our offense and defense with the ball a
lot more.”

The team, overall, took advantage of the many Saber fouls. Until the last two minutes of the game, when Coach Kalehuawehe subbed in the entire bench, they were 16 for 17 on their free throws, as compared to the Sabers who, as a team, only hit 38% of their 13 free throws. The Warriors’ Moku, Erin Lindsey, and Luke Batoon all shot 100% from the free throw line.

Moku was the highest scorer of the night with at least 14 points for the Warriors.

“I think that we have regained our confidence for our next games,” Batoon said.

The Warriors play Na Ali’i next Thursday, February 2, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. at the King Kekaulike High School gym.