Hobbled Tailele sparked Kahuku
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Karla Tailele could hardly put any weight on her right ankle before Saturday's game, but came off the bench to lead Kahuku.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser |
When Tailele suited up for that night's girls basketball state championship game against Konawaena, she could barely put on her right shoe.
And when the Red Raiders were going through their pregame warm-ups, Tailele could barely hobble around the court.
But as she sat on the bench in the first half as Kahuku shockingly fell behind, 30-10, Tailele could barely stand to watch.
"I saw my teammates getting frustrated," said Tailele, the Red Raiders' starting point guard. "I wanted to get in there and help."
So, one minute into the second half, she did.
Kahuku trailed 33-10 when Tailele entered with 6:50 remaining in the third period, but led by her reliable ball-handling and ability to weave through traffic — even with the bad ankle — the Red Raiders amazingly closed the gap to 35-28 by the end of the quarter.
Two minutes into the fourth period, Kahuku cut it to 35-32 as the Red Raider nation of fans went wild with roaring appreciation.
"Karla came through for us big-time," said Kahuku center Latoya Wily, Tailele's cousin. "She gave us something different, something else (the Wildcats) had to watch out for."
Without Tailele, the Red Raiders fell behind 11-2 to start the game and committed eight first-period turnovers against the Wildcats' pressure defense. But Konawaena coach Bobbie Awa said Tailele's presence clearly made a difference in the second half.
"She made them run and sparked their whole offense," Awa said. "She showed a lot of heart."
Kahuku eventually lost, 51-41, but Tailele's effort was recognized afterward for more than just her two points, two rebounds and two assists.
"Before the game, she wasn't confident in the ankle and we didn't want to push it unless she was ready," Red Raiders coach Wendy Anae said. "But at halftime, she said she was ready, and she just forgot the pain."
Wily said she won't soon forget Tailele's performance.
"In a state championship game, miracles can happen, and I'm so proud of my cousin," Wily said. "She came out like a champ."
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.
