HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Pearl City defense too tough for Nanakuli
Purple is Pearl City's primary color, both in uniform and bruises.
The Chargers' ministry of defense limited Nanakuli to 19 percent field-goal shooting en route to a 38-25 win last night in the regular-season opener for both teams.
"We have small girls, and they get pounded, but they play hard, man. It's all about defense," Pearl City coach Mike Morton said. "Our intensity was there from the start. We told them, 'If you guys have it from the start, we'll be fine.' That's what we need to win."
The Chargers used a stifling halfcourt man-to-man defense and a willingness to hit the floor in their Oahu Interscholastic Association West victory. Nanakuli shot 8-for-41 from the field, including 0-for-8 from the 3-point arc.
Pearl City (6-6 overall) doesn't have the tallest team in the league. However, through sheer defensive effort and good offensive execution, the Chargers showed why they may have the toughest, most disciplined players in the division.
Lindsay Cartwright led Pearl City with 10 points. Tazha Passi and Channette Nakama added nine each for the Chargers.
"We have one more year of experience. I think our girls matured. That has something to do with it," Morton said. "We were patient (offensively) and made (Nanakuli) work on defense. I think they got tired."
Nanakuli's inexperience in the frontcourt made it difficult for point guard Vernadine Vickers to get help against Pearl City's relentless defenders. "She got a little frustrated. We didn't handle their pressure well, and our posts are still learning how to get open and help out," Golden Hawks coach Eric Nakabayashi said.
Vickers, who is a standout in softball, led Nanakuli (3-5 overall) with seven points. She also had four steals early in the game to help the Hawks stay within range. Nanakuli was within 14-11 after Ambree Hauhio sank a foul shot early in the second quarter.
Pearl City closed out the first half with a 12-1 run, including a 17-foot jumper by Nakama at the buzzer. The Chargers led 26-12 at intermission.
Nanakuli pulled within 28-20, but Pearl City responded with a 6-0 run to finish the third quarter. The Golden Hawks got no closer than 11 the rest of the way.
"Maybe we should've tried a zone in the second half," Nakabayashi said. "But we've been so focused on teaching man (defense) that we don't have the zone in yet. And we couldn't keep Pearl City off the boards."
Extra points: Next Wednesday's game between Pearl City and Mililani will be played at Pearl City due to a scheduling change.
At Pearl City H.S. gym
Nanakuli (0-1) |
9 |
3 |
8 |
5 |
-- |
25
|
Pearl City (1-0) |
12 |
14 |
8 |
4 |
-- |
38 |
NANAKULI-- Sheila Argayoso 2, Sasha Montez 1, Fetinai Toa 1, Ambree Hauhio 1, Vernadine Vickers 7, Jayrene Alatai 0, Noelani Napuelua-Saole 5, Delisha Kaimi 6, Joyce Ahina 0, Alexis Soriano 2.
PEARL CITY--Crystal Tadeo 3, Tiffany Gadingan 0, Desiree Luis 2, Kasie Kunishima 0, Lindsay Cartwright 10, Tiani Alatini 2, Channette Nakama 9, Tazha Passi 9, Kawai Markahm 0, Kaiona Auyong 0, Chelsea Baker 0, Tiffany Manning 3.
3-point goals -- Nanakuli 2 (Kaimi 2), Pearl City 1 (Tadeo).
Junior varsity -- Nanakuli 47, Pearl City 27
Leilehua 33, Kapolei 32
Brittney Stafford nailed two free throws with 5 seconds left to give the Mules a one-point win over the Hurricanes.
Ashley Dela Cruz hit the game's only two 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 17 points to lead Kapolei.
At Kapolei H.S. gym
Leilehua (1-0) |
6 |
12 |
9 |
6 |
-- |
33
|
Kapolei (0-1) |
5 |
11 |
6 |
10 |
-- |
32 |
LEILEHUA--U'i Forgione 2, Ivanca Ilab 0, Ashley Moniyama 0, Charlene Borromeo 2, Justina Mason 3, Brittney Stafford 6, Isis Atualevao 8, Marquesha McVea 12, Joray Nacapuy 0.
KAPOLEI--Whitney Tatomer 2, Trisha Warashina 3, Charmaine Jackson 0, Jasmine Gipson 5, Ashley Dela Cruz 17, Gina Simanu 4, Kesha Miller 0, Rebecca Simanu 1, Pua Pedrina 0, Lehua Figueroa 0.
3-point goals -- Leilehua 0, Kapolei 2 (Dela Cruz 2)
Junior varsity -- Kapolei 31, Leilehua 26
Mililani 30, Campbell 21
Joleen Realin scored a game-high 11 points to lead the Trojans over the Sabers in a low-scoring affair.
Darlyn Livae led Campbell with seven points.
At Mililani H.S. gym
Campbell (0-1) |
8 |
9 |
1 |
3 |
-- |
21
|
Mililani (1-0) |
6 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
-- |
30 |
CAMPBELL--Windny G. 0, Shiann Leong 3, Ceirra Tagura 0, Jasmine Valentin 3, Val Q. 0, Jenna C. 3, Darlyn Livae 7, Jenny Sweeney 5.
MILILANI--Kimi Ebina 0, Kelsey Woodward 5, Jamie Kaleiwahewa 1, Summer Wegieo 2, Christina Korodan 5, Rayna Downey 2, Lia Nishikura 2, Ashley Anthony 2, Haunani Richardson 0, Chantel Tanuvasa 0, Joleen Realin 11, Diamond Badados 0.
3-point goals -- Campbell 1 (Jenna C.), Mililani 0.
Junior varsity -- Campbell def. Mililani
OIA WHITE
Kalani 45, Waianae 31
Meagan Kamehiro and Violent Alama each scored 10 points to help lead the Falcons past the Seariders.
Waianae's Danielle Lovell scored a game-high 16 points, including a half-court shot at the final buzzer.
At Waianae H.S. gym
Kalani (1-0) |
14 |
15 |
10 |
6 |
-- |
45
|
Waianae (0-1) |
6 |
6 |
10 |
9 |
-- |
31 |
KALANI--Chloe Martin 4, Meagan Kamehiro 10, B. Yamauchi 0, K. Chikamori 0, K. Cabuyadao 4, Violet Alama 10, K. Gushiken 4, N. Ameperosa 2, A. Bonifacio 0, C. Bonifacio 2, M. Camara 9.
WAIANAE--Danielle Lovell 16, Brittni Dinong 0, Kahea Kelii 0, Afi Tago 2, Keshia Holbron 0, Priscilla Mathewson 0, Genevieve Cuesta 0, Kuuipo Badayos 4, Alexsis Crowell 2, Melody Moe 7.
3-point goals -- Kalani 2 (Kamehiro 2), Waianae 1 (Lovell).
Junior varsity -- Kalani 46, Waianae 40
Kaimuki 48, Castle 34
Olivia Phommachanh scored 16 points and Ashley Moi chipped in 13 to lead the host Bulldogs over the Knights. Keri Nakahashi added a pair of 3-pointers for Kaimuki.
Candyce Ames and Kellsie Sakaki scored nine points apiece to pace Castle.
At Kaimuki H.S. gym
Castle (0-1) |
6 |
11 |
4 |
13 |
-- |
34
|
Kaimuki (1-0) |
8 |
17 |
14 |
9 |
-- |
48 |
CASTLE--Candyce Ames 9, Niki Kobashigawa 0, Kellsie Sasaki 9, Sarah Phromisiri 1, Honey Hoe-Pedro 0, Lii Kekauhoha 3, Tracie Kam 2, Ette Ameperosa 4, Leighla Kalahiki 0, Faco Lefotu 0, Titi Kawainui 6, Rachel Walker 0.
KAIMUKI--Olivia Phommachanh 16, Mindy Hirokawa 5, Janell Shimabukuro 0, Keri Nakahashi 6, Kanoe Nicola 2, Ashley Moi 13, Paige Moi 4, Corianne Turnage 2.
3-point goals -- Castle 3 (Ames, Sasaki, Kawainui), Kaimuki 3 (Nakahashi 2, Hirokawa).
Junior varsity -- Castle 42, Kaimuki 36
Waipahu def. Thompson
Thompson has forfeited all of its games this season due to lack of players.