[ HIGH SCHOOL WATER POLO ]
Punahou's Sasha Fuller attempted a shot against Hawaii Prep yesterday during the state water polo tournament.
Warriors force
all-ILH final
Ben Nary and Aukai Ferguson took their college rivalry to a new level during last night's semifinals of the Local Motion Girls Water Polo Championship.
Nary led Kamehameha to a 14-3 victory over Ferguson's Kahuku team at the University of Hawaii's Duke Kahanamoku Aquatics Complex. In the fall, Nary coaches the Chaminade men's team and Ferguson is the mentor for Brigham Young-Hawaii.
"We knew Kahuku was going to come out and play physical," Nary said. "Our plan was to keep cool and play defense and use our speed, and it worked."
The Interscholastic League of Honolulu runner-up Warriors (7-3) advanced to today's 7 p.m. final against ILH champion Punahou, which beat Hawaii Prep 15-0 in last night's other semifinal.
The Oahu Interscholastic Association champion Red Raiders (12-1) faded in the second half after playing Kamehameha evenly through the first two periods. The Warriors outscored Kahuku 9-0 in the second half.
"Kamehameha is a strong swimming team," Ferguson said. "They were much more aggressive with their perimeter defense and that caused us a lot of problems. I think if we seized the momentum earlier and capitalized on some shots that we weren't able to finish, we would have been in a much better position to win."
Tiare Nobrega led the way for the Warriors with four goals, while Kealaonapua O'Sullivan and Hanalei Crowell added three apiece.
"This means so much," Nobrega said. "We wanted it so badly because it was our most important game. Everyone underestimated us."
Kamehameha lost three times to Punahou in the regular season, but one of the contests went to overtime.
"We've got the physical part down," O'Sullivan said. "It's our mental part that's got to be there against Punahou."
Kamehameha gained a quick 3-0 lead, but Kahuku fought back on goals by Taylor Bushman and Ida Leonardi to make it 3-2.
The Warriors led 5-3 at the half and held a 7-3 advantage early in the third period before relying on goalie Malia Chung to make saves on solid shots by Kahuku's Bushman, Erika Young and Jenna Nakamoto. The saves took a bit of the wind out of the Red Raiders.
Nary was pleased the Warriors showed they're one of the top teams in the state.
"I won't make any predictions (against Punahou), but we should do OK," he said. "Our team didn't get much attention this year, but we showed what we're capable of. We have a good bunch of girls."
The Red Raiders meet Hawaii Prep in today's 5:45 p.m. third-place game.
Kamehameha (7-3) 3 2 4 5 -- 14 Kahuku (13-1) 0 3 0 0 -- 3 Goal scorers-Kam: Tiare Nobrega 4, Hanalei Crowell 3, Kealaonapua O'Sullivan 3, Lauren-Ann Garrigan 2, Elizabeth Hanohano-Hong 2. Kah: Ida Leonardi, Taylor Bushman, Stephanie Emery.
Goalies--Kam: Malia Chung, Haley Rosehill. Kah: Sara Mirels, Morgan Wright.Punahou 15, Hawaii Prep 0
Senior Avery Cavanah scored five goals, including three in the Buffanblu's seven-goal first period, as the eight-time ILH champions remained unbeaten and advanced to tonight's final.Cavanah said Big Island champion Ka Makani (12-4-1) were a "pretty good team," despite the lopsided score.
"It was a fun game and it's a fabulous feeling and an honor to be a senior in the first state tournament," Cavanah said. "My coach (Ken Smith) worked hard for many years to try to make it a reality. I hope we can play like we know how (in the final). I expect a good, intense game."
Hawaii Prep (12-4-1) 0 0 0 0 -- 0 Punahou (10-0) 7 3 4 1 -- 15 Goal scorers-Pun: Avery Cavanah 5, Natale Rigg 2, Kellen Fletcher 2, Kendra Dilcher, Kelly Samples, Abigayle Lin, Kamaile Crowell, Kokee Coscina, Angie Giancaterino.
Goalies--HPA: Star Simpson, Lexi Russell. Pun: Jessica Brooks, Spenser Rigg.
CONSOLATION BRACKET
Roosevelt 12, Kalani 0
The OIA runner-up Rough Riders (11-3) shook off a tough one-goal loss to Hawaii Prep in Thursday's first round by routing the Falcons (7-7).Lindsay Tanigawa scored four times and Leilani Warren added three goals for Roosevelt, which advanced to the consolation-bracket final (fifth-place game) today at 4:30 p.m. against Waiakea.
Kalani (7-7) 0 0 0 0 -- 0 Roosevelt (11-3) 2 1 6 3 -- 12 Goal scorers--Roos: Lindsay Tanigawa 4, Leilani Warren 3, Maria Hall 2, Christyn Takara, Brandy Clark, Natalie Iwasaki.
Goalies--Kaln: Brigette Pentecost. Roos: Annah Blanton, Hall.Waiakea 12, Kaiser 3
The Big Island runner-up Warriors (10-5-1) made it into today's consolation final by tripping the Cougars (8-7).Tamarah Binek scored five goals for Waiakea, while Ashley Asano added three.
The Warriors led just 1-0 after one period, but they scored six in the second period, including three by Binek, to take control.
Kaiser (8-7) 0 2 1 0 -- 3 Waiakea (10-5-1) 1 6 1 4 -- 12 Goal scorers--Waiak: Tamarah Binek 5, Ashley Asano 3, Shawna Simon 2, Tara Binek, Kaiser own goal. Kais: Elsie Denight, Tarah Maruyama, Taryn Ino.
Goalies--Waiak: Elizabeth Alonzo. Kais: Melina Rossi.
