[ HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL ]
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kalaheo's Shanadee Canon dribbled downcourt while she was guarded by McKinley's Linda Fowler last night at Kalaheo.
Ailing Kalaheo
beats McKinley
Never mind the 27 turnovers, 13 missed free-throw attempts and two missing players.
The young Mustangs of Kalaheo endured a crisis, and are now 1-0 in Oahu Interscholastic Association play. Behind Kaiena Huihui's 20 points and 10 rebounds, Kalaheo outlasted McKinley 56-51 last night.
"I feel like I've been through 15 rounds of a heavyweight fight," Kalaheo coach Chico Furtado said after a battle of attrition for both teams. "We gave them every opportunity to come back."
A robust crowd at Kalaheo High School gym saw the host Lady Mustangs take an 11-point lead only to withstand a late 3-point assault by the Tigers.
Bre Carson scored 24 points before fouling out. Freshman Chelsie Sato added 11 points, and Chantal Yadao grabbed nine rebounds.
Freshman point guard Shanadee Canon added 10 points, and Shaina Siliga chipped in with eight for Kalaheo, which outrebounded the hustling Tigers 32-24.
The regular-season-opening matchup had plenty of drama before the opening tip. Kalaheo's standout forward and McDonald's All-America nominee Taylor Smith learned this week that she has a broken foot. Smith is out four weeks, and her backup, Randi Farstead, is gone for the week on a family vacation.
McKinley, meanwhile, played without coach Jesse Victorino. The 15-year veteran learned last Friday that his ejection from a state-tournament game last year carries a one-game suspension upon the start of the regular season.
Factor in the revised format -- only four, not six, teams qualify for the playoffs from the East Division -- and the early-season battle took on more weight.
More drama: Carson, perhaps the most dangerous streak shooter in the state, transferred from Kalaheo to McKinley last year.
"I'm happy with how my team lost its best player and still beat a team of the caliber of McKinley," Furtado said. "They have three, four players on the court at all times who can hit the 3."
For the Tigers, there's little time to be down.
"There's been a lot of confusion, but the team hung together well," McKinley assistant coach Ivan Celebrado said. "Kalaheo played awesome. They have tradition and you always have to be ready for that. Our girls worked hard, and we had plenty of opportunities."
Cold shooting from 3-point range didn't stop the Tigers from continuing to launch away. In the end, it almost turned the game around.
"They have very experienced guards, and they live and die by the 3," Furtado said.
There was nothing but solid play from Huihui, who gave Kalaheo a major advantage in the post. At 5-foot-10, she scored 11 points in the first half as the Mustangs powered their way to a 26-16 lead. McKinley, launching 3-point attempts on nearly every possession, made just one the entire opening half.
Still, the Tigers rallied behind a tenacious full-court press. Kalaheo took a 35-24 lead on a turnaround jumper in the low post, plus a free throw, by Huihui. However, Kalaheo turned the ball over five consecutive times, and Carson caught fire.
The 5-4 senior drilled a 3-pointer from the top to bring the Tigers within eight. Moments later, she was fouled on a 3-point try and swished all three foul shots to bring McKinley within 35-30 with 3:15 to play in the third quarter.
She scored again on a fast-break pass from Yadao to keep the Tigers within five.
Forward Kaliko Kepa's leaping steal and lead pass to Shantel Muramoto led to a 3-point play, and Kalaheo edged back to a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter.
Sato and Carson hit back-to-back treys as McKinley pulled within 46-42 with 3:47 to go. However, Siliga made three of four free-throw tries, and McKinley missed three charity shots in a row. Reserve guard Wesley Whitman connected on a layup and a baseline jumper to push Kalaheo's lead to 53-45 with 2:17 to play.
Carson fouled out with 1:53 left, moments after sinking consecutive 3-point bombs. McKinley trailed 53-48 and got no closer the rest of the way.
The smaller Tigers have work to do, but the talent -- and quickness -- are there.
"We need to work on more doubles on our post defense," Celebrado said. "We have to go vertical and take our chances."
At Kalaheo H.S. gym
McKinley (0-1) 9 10 13 19 -- 51 Kalaheo (2-0) 8 18 16 14 -- 56 MCKINLEY--Chantal Yadao 3, Chelsie Sato 11, Cassie Oda 0, Christine Ching 0, Meagan Miyasaka 4, Melody Ababa 7, Bre Carson 24, Janine Corpuz 0, Kamakani Victorino 0, Linda Fowler 2.
KALAHEO--Hoku Kaiu-Denning 0, Shaina Siliga 8, Kandice Kinney 0, Wesley Whitman 7, Shantel Marumoto 4, Shanadee Canon 10, Brianne Villarosa 0, Kaiena Huihui 20, Kaliko Kepa 5, Kamala Kau 0, Halialoha Travis 2.
3-point goals -- McKinley 10 (Carson 4, Sato 2, Ababa 2 Miyasaka, Yadao) Kalaheo 1(Canon).
Junior varsity -- Kalaheo 57, McKinley 29
Farrington 40, Moanalua 31
The Menehunes went cold in the fourth quarter as the Governors held on for their first win of the season.Trailing 30-29 entering the fourth, Moanalua managed just two points, while Farrington scored 10.
Joanna Montero and Sunshine Misa-Uli combined for 32 of the Governors' 40 points, with each scoring 16.
Joy Matsukawa hit three 3-pointers and finished with 10 points in the loss.
At Moanalua H.S. gym
Farrington (1-1) 10 14 6 10 -- 40 Moanalua (0-1) 9 10 10 2 -- 31 FARRINGTON--Joanna Montero 16, Rachael Ancheta 0, Audrina Esera 0, Tanya Sale 2, Shirlyn Tamboa 0, Sandy Tauta 0, Marissa Keohohou 0, Laticia Ioane 0, Kirstyn Vaa 6, Sunshine Uli 16.
MOANALUA--Talia Bertulfuo 2, Mesha Macadangdang 0, Kaitlyn Ikehara 5, Ronni Keliihoomalu 2, Lisa Ertl 0, Sasha Silva 2, Joy Matsukawa 10, Kepuanani Lee 8, Jade Miller 2.
3-point goals -- Farrington 0, Moanalua 4 (Matsukawa 3, Ikehara 1).
Junior varsity -- Farrington 48, Moanalua 23.
Kahuku 56, Kaiser 49
The Red Raiders used a 14-4 run in the third quarter to rally past the Cougars and remain undefeated.Down 27-22 at the half, Kahuku's run put it up by five after the third.
Karla Tailele finished with 17 points in the win and Latoya Wily added 12.
Kehau Bengay scored 13 in the loss.
At Kaiser H.S. gym
Kahuku (2-0) 9 13 14 20 -- 56 Kaiser (1-1) 11 16 4 18 -- 49 KAHUKU--Karla Tailele 17, Monarisa Ale 4, Tina Soliai 3, Anny Soliai 10, Latoya Wily 12, Aisha Ale 10, Nancy Vave 0, Ane Vea 0.
KAISER--Kuhia Arakaki 0, Shera Yamamoto 6, Jaime Nerona 5, Sharde Pratt 8, Natasha Aloisio 9, Kehau Bangay 13, Kilioe Aliifua 8.
3-point goals -- Kahuku 4 (A. Soliai 2, Tailele 2), Kaiser 3 (Yamamoto, 2, Bangay 1).
Junior varsity -- Kaiser 36, Kahuku 25
Roosevelt 68, Kalani 51
Tati Beasley scored 11 of her game-high 20 points in the second quarter to lead the Rough Riders (2-0) past the Falcons (1-1).Chelsie Kadota finished with 18 points, most of them coming in the second half, as Roosevelt pulled away after halftime.
Richland Batoon hit three 3-point shots and paced Kalani with 14 points.
At Kalani H.S. gym
Roosevelt (2-0) 16 21 14 17 -- 68 Kalani (1-1) 16 22 10 3 -- 51 Roosevelt--Tati Beasley 20, Chelsie Kadota 18, Dasha Kawakami 0, Larisa Nakasone 3, Capi Uyechi 0, Nicole Yoshimoto 6, Shannon Miyashiro 15, Dara Kiyuna 2, Nicole Okada 4, Puuwai Crawford-Kapanui 0.
Kalani--Tamari Miyashiro 12, Alisa Lum 1, Megan Kamehiro 5, Nicole Isemoto 2, Liandra Bonifacio 10, Krista Young 0, Keri Hee 7, Richland Batoon 14.
3-point goals--Roosevelt 5 (Kadota 3, Nakasone, Yoshimoto); Kalani 6 (Batoon 3, Miyashiro, Kamehiro, Bonifacio)
JV-- Roosevelt 42, Kalani 38
Castle 39, Kailua 31
The Knights jumped out to a 13-3 lead and never looked back in their win over the Surfriders.Castle led 13-3 after the first quarter and built a 24-8 halftime lead.
Kailua cut the deficit to 29-20 in the third but could never catch up.
Tita Kawainui had eight points in the win. Pohai Hovey scored 15 to lead the Surfriders, who made just seven of 20 free throws.
The Knights made 13 of 19 free throws.
At Kailua H.S. gym
Castle (1-1) 13 11 5 10 -- 39 Kailua (0-2) 3 5 12 11 -- 31 CASTLE--Audrey Ako 0, Kalei Akaka 0, Shardae Ingano 7, Kellsie Sasaki 2, Betty Argue 2, Uilani Kekauoha 7, Stacy Tilton 3, Tiare Kahoekapu 6, Puna Waiolama 2, Sarah Kodama 0, Shanyn Fafard Kaaihue 2, Tita Kawainui 8.
KAILUA--Kori Maekawa 1, Kalina Kama 6, Ashley Shigaki 6, Tanisha Milca 0, Keala Iaea 1, Jayrisa Tuiloma 0, Pomai Fernandez 2, Pohai Hovey 15.
3-point goals -- Castle 2 (Kahoekapu 2).
Junior varsity -- Castle 31, Kailua 23
Kaimuki def. Thompson
The Bulldogs defeated the first-year Sharks by forfeit. It was the second straight forfeit by Thompson, which couldn't field enough girls for a starting unit.
