HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Iolani's Liloa Nobriga, who scored 21 points, and Saint Louis' Joshua Yuen battled for possession during last night's game at Iolani, which the Raiders won 60-57.
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Raiders strike first blow
If last night's season opener between Saint Louis and Iolani is any indication, the race for the ILH championship this year is going to be a wild one.
Raiders senior Vinny Nip scored a game-high 23 points and freshman Liloa Nobriga added 21, including two free throws with 6 seconds remaining that helped host Iolani overcome a frantic late rally and beat Saint Louis 60-57.
"It was a really intense game for a season opener, but that's what we're expecting in the ILH this year," Nip said.
Both teams struggled early, as Iolani, ranked No. 2 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10, committed an uncharacteristic 11 turnovers in the first half as the score was tied 21-21 at halftime.
But Nip, who finished with four 3-pointers, nailed three in a 3-minute span in the third quarter that gave Iolani a 36-27 lead.
"It takes a lot of guys to get good shots," Nip said. "My teammates set great screens and got me the ball."
Iolani held a comfortable lead until the game's final 2 minutes, when things got interesting. A 3-pointer by Jeremiah Masoli and a steal and layup by Cole Shidaki cut the Raiders' lead to four with 1:30 to go.
Then the Raiders, who made their first 13 free throws of the final quarter, missed five of the next eight to give the No. 4-ranked Crusaders one last chance.
Down three with 14 seconds to go, Masoli drove into the lane but was tied up for a jump ball that went to the Raiders, and Nobriga's two free throws iced the game.
"There's some things we need to do, especially take care of the ball better and make our free throws," Nip said.
Masoli finished with 16 points to lead the Crusaders, while Scott Smith added 13 and Shidaki 12. The game may have come down to free-throw shooting as the Crusaders shot just 11-for-20 while Iolani was 22-for-29 as Nobriga hit 13 of 14 free throws.
"He made some freshman mistakes down the stretch, but hit his free throws and played well against their big boys in he paint," Iolani coach Mark Mugiishi said. "I can't ask for anything better than that."
Neither team gets to rest; Iolani hosts Damien tonight at 8 and Mid-Pacific visits Saint Louis at 7:30.
At Iolani Gym
Saint Louis (0-1) |
8 |
13 |
12 |
24 |
-- |
57
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Iolani (1-0) |
11 |
10 |
18 |
21 |
-- |
60 |
SAINT LOUIS--Rickkson Pacarro 0, Kulia Aiona 8, John Quindara 0, Kawika Kekuawela 0, Scott Smith 13, Cameron Bayne 7, Joshua Yuen 1, Cole Shidaki 12, Jeremiah Masoli 16, Elliot Purcell 0, Jamison Miller 0, Jacob Barit 0.
IOLANI--Kela Marciel 0, Vinny Nip 23, Barry Kang 3, Ryan Dung 2, Case Miyahira 0, Taylor Mounts 0, Kekai Kealoha 1, Kawika Shoji 7, Jon Takamura 1, Liloa Nobriga 21, Wally Marciel 2, Kiran Kepoo 0.
3-point goals -- Saint Louis 4 (Aiona 2, Bayne, Masoli), Iolani 4 (Nip 4).
No. 1 Punahou 73, Damien 53
Jeremiah Ostrowski scored 20 points, including three 3-pointers, as the Buffanblu defeated the Monarchs. Kealii Frank added 16 points.
Nikko Roman, Kama Bailey and Lolomana Mikaele led Damien with 9 points each.
At Damien H.S. gym
Punahou (1-0) |
23 |
17 |
23 |
10 |
-- |
73
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Damien (0-1) |
13 |
11 |
15 |
14 |
-- |
53 |
PUNAHOU--Trenton Zane 0, Jeremiah Ostrowski 20, Dalton Hilliard 0, Ed Wong 0, Danny Cho 12, Brandon Kapana 0, Kyle Whitford 0, Brenton Lee 0, Kimo Makaula 2, Freddie Hart 0, Kameron Steinhoff 9, Ted Hawkins 0, Trevor Crabb 0, Spencer McLachlin 14, Kealii Frank 16.
DAMIEN--Nikko Roman 9, Kama Bailey 9, Winnie Gapuz 0, Tony Cerezo 2, Aminis Thompson 5, Haku Correa 2, Kenneth Rossi 2, Michael Sipili 7, Lolomana Mikaele 9, Sione Tau 0, Duncan Ebert 8.
3-point goals -- Punahou 5 (Ostrowski 3, Cho 2), Damien 1 (Roman, Bailey).
No. 3 Kamehameha 58, Mid-Pacific 39
Jacob Ho scored 15 points and Kanoa Mokiao added 13 as the Warriors rallied past the Owls.
Kamehameha trailed 20-19 at halftime, but took over the game by outscoring Mid-Pacific 19-8 in the third quarter.
Marcus Holyfield led the Owls with 10 points.
At Kekuhaupio Gym
Mid-Pacific (0-1) |
5 |
15 |
8 |
11 |
-- |
39
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Kamehameha (1-0) |
7 |
12 |
19 |
20 |
-- |
58 |
MID-PACIFIC--S. Won 7, J. Mun 0, M. Holyfield 10, J. Rivera 2, D. Gordon 7, J. Yasui 3, K. Ellsworth 7, T. Hill 3, J. Grant 0, R. Fujimoto 0, S. Pale 0.
KAMEHAMEHA--Randy Cummings 0, Jesse Moniz 2, Brandon Ahlo 0, Andrew Godinet 7, Mitchell Kauweloa 4, Jacob Ho 15, Pono Hanson 0, Rykin Enos 8, Conrad Scheidt 1, Jay Kauka 2, Kanoa Mokiao 13, Kea Smith 4, Treston Rego 2.
3-point goals -- Mid-Pacific 4 (Ellsworth, Gordon, Won, Yasui), Kamehameha 4 (Ho 3, Godinet).
Varsity boys division II
Kamehameha 51, Hanalani 14
Lutheran 52, Assets 47
University 60, Le Jardin 43
Punahou 58, Word of Life 43
Iolani 55, Saint Louis 28
Leading scorers--Kam: Kalani Pickard 14. LHS: Derek Alik 24, David Cho 13. Ast: Nick Castello 22. UHS: Trey Parraf 20. LJ: Kirk Muller 16. Pun: Riley McKibbin 11. WOL: Jordan Ranche 19, Aaron Tipoti 11. Iol: Josh Starbuck 19.
BIIF
Varsity boys
No. 5 Kamehameha-Hawaii 45, Honokaa 35
Leading scorers--
KSH: Kealoha Kramer 11, Mea Wong 10.
Hon: Jacob Galdeira 12.
Junior varsity boys
Kamehameha-Hawaii 51, Honokaa 40