HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' BASKETBALL
Kamehameha clamps down on Punahou
On the road, smooth shooting strokes sometimes have a way of finding iron instead of twine.
The Punahou Buffanblu know it all too well as the defending state champions relied on an air-tight man-to-man defense and clutch shooting by Shawna-Lei Kuehu down the stretch to outlast Kamehameha 36-29 last night at Kekuhaupio Gym.
Second-ranked Punahou improved to 3-0 in Interscholastic League of Honolulu play (14-0 overall) with the key win. Kuehu, a 5-foot-9 post, finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds to power the Buffanblu.
Last year's Star-Bulletin player of the year had more adrenaline than usual.
"Knowing this is a big week, it kind of got to me," Kuehu said. "During practice, we calmed down. We have to play as a team. We have to have poise."
Kuehu had two points in the first half, which meant that Punahou's defense was rock solid.
"I like the way we compete on defense. I'm proud of that," coach Mike Taylor said. "We weren't executing that well on offense, but to the girls' credit, they buckled down in the second half."
Now, the Buffanblu can focus on No. 1 Iolani. The teams have a showdown on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hemmeter Fieldhouse.
"I'm pretty pumped. Everyone's talking about that game," Kuehu said. "We're going to play our game and not rush anything."
There was no looking past Kamehameha as the Warriors proved resilient. Punahou had a comfortable lead early in the fourth quarter that nearly wilted. Kuehu's offensive rebound and putback gave Punahou a 30-19 lead with 6:15 remaining.
Kamehameha then scored six points in a row, including two on an inbounds play from Johanna Sai to Kauiokeola Todd with Punahou still in a timeout huddle.
The Warriors were within 30-25 with 2:47 left after that play, but got no closer. Kuehu scored her team's next three points for a 33-25 lead with 1:33 to go.
Kamehameha pulled within six on a baseline jumper by Leah Godinet with 1:02 remaining. However, the Warriors didn't foul Punahou until there were only 19 seconds left. Kuehu sank both foul shots to put the game out of reach, 35-27.
Godinet scored 11 points to lead fifth-ranked Kamehameha.
"We played hard, but it's the same thing every time. We've got to cut down on our turnovers," coach Clay Cockett said, whose team had 15 giveaways. "I would've liked to have stayed in the zone all game, but their shooters did a great job in the first half."
The Warriors, who were upset by Mid-Pacific over the weekend, fell to 1-2 in league play (12-2 overall).
This time, Punahou jumped out to a big lead early and never let up. Guard Dana Tompkison sank a 3-pointer and reserve guard Ciana Aiwohi swished two treys as the Buffanblu opened a 14-3 lead shortly before the end of the first quarter.
Punahou rotated its best perimeter defenders against Kamehameha guard Tatriana Lorenzo. Elizabeth Abe and Shaena-Lyn Kuehu were among the Buffanblu who chased Lorenzo from end to end. The senior guard finished with just four points, shooting 2-for-13 from the floor.
"Everyone who played on her played tough. It's a tribute to our team's defense," Taylor said. "Tatri has so much to do."
At Kekuhaupi'o Gym
Punahou |
14 |
2 |
10 |
10 |
-- |
36 |
Kamehameha |
3 |
3 |
11 |
12 |
-- |
29 |
PUNAHOU--Ciana Aiwohi 6, Elizabeth Abe 3, Melanie Feldman 0, Dara Tompkison 4, Shawna-Lei Kuehu 14, Mahina Macfarlane 0, Shaena-Lyn Kuehu 1, Janelle Nomura 2, Sophie Merrifield 4, Chelsea Deptula 2, Devon Yamauchi 0.
KAMEHAMEHA--Miki Nakamura 0, Johanna Sai 2, Analee Viena Lota 4, Tiana Abbley 0, Leah Godinet 11, Rhani Kaneaiakala 3, Kauiokeola Todd 5, Tatriana Lorenzo 4, Casey Lum 0.
3-point goals -- Punahou 4 (Aiwohi 2, Abe, Tompkison), Kamehameha 0.
No. 1 Iolani 44, No. 8 Mid-Pacific 27
Led by Jamie Smith's game-high 14 points, the Raiders kept the visiting Owls scoreless in the fourth quarter of their 44-27 rout.
Johnnelle Kapua led Mid-Pacific in scoring with 11 points in the loss.
At Iolani School gym
Mid-Pacific (1-3) |
6 |
12 |
9 |
0 |
-- |
27 |
Iolani (3-0) |
14 |
17 |
5 |
8 |
-- |
44 |
MID-PACIFIC--Keri Nakamura 2, Yuki Sei 0, Johnnelle Kapua 11, Meghan Laughlin 2, Kristina Lin 7, Erin Nishimura 0, Leigh Cullinan 0, Crisi Nihipali 5.
IOLANI--Kaz Masutani 6, Hennasea-Sue Tokumura 2, Alana Matayoshi 4, Chanel Hirata 5, Marci Kang 0, Alana Wall 0, Jamie Smith 14, Meilin Akamu 0, Sarah Turgeon 4, Keilyn Fujioka 9.
3-point goals -- Mid-Pacific 1 (Lin), Iolani 3 (Masutani 2, Hirata).
Maryknoll 65, Sacred Hearts 58, 2 OT
Nicole Fu scored 44 points to lead the Spartans past the Lancers in double overtime.
At Sacred Hearts Academy gym
Maryknoll (1-3) |
13 |
12 |
6 |
15 |
8 |
11 |
-- |
65 |
Sacred Hearts (1-3) |
11 |
11 |
11 |
13 |
8 |
4 |
-- |
58 |
MARYKNOLL--Kristen Canencia 5, Kristie Watanabe 3, Bowha Kang 0, Nicole Fu 44, Kimberly Henderson 0, Samantha Chung 9, Soana Fifita 4.
SACRED HEARTS--Samantha Saito 7, Rebecca Debo 11, Karis Moi-Simeona 14, Ashley Ordenstein 4, Raecha-Ann Kauahikaua 9, Samantha Valle 0, Montana Neyra 9, Kuhina Luis 4.
3-point goals -- Maryknoll 1 (Canencia), Sacred Hearts 1 (Saito).
Division II varsity girls
Christian Academy 61, Le Jardin 41
St. Francis 45, University 31
No. 10 Punahou 61, Kamehameha 57
Hanalani 40, Lutheran 38
Hawaii Baptist 56, Word of Life 54
High scorers--CA: Ashley Medcalf 38, Michel Chon 14. LeJ: Corelle Nakamura 10. StF: Nicki Perry, Kanani Perry 12. Pun: Arielle Daniels 12, Yuree Nam 12, Taila Autele 11, Erin Moon 10. Kam: Jamie Ferrigno 12, Brandi Kohatsu 10. Hana: Janelle Fetui 15. Luth: Chelsea Dela Cruz 14. HBA: Jodi Kamemoto 24, Carissa Onuma 12. WOL: Careena Onosai 16, Shayna Onosai 16, Piilani Mahoe 12.
OIA East
No. 9 Kahuku 71, No. 6 Kalaheo 62
Artevia Wily scored 14 of her game-high 23 points in the first half as the Red Raiders upset the visiting Mustangs.
Salote Livai and Camilla Ah-Hoy each added 12 points for the Red Raiders.
Kendra Fischer posted 22 points for Kalaheo.
At Kahuku H.S. gym
Kalaheo (6-2) |
17 |
23 |
11 |
11 |
-- |
62 |
Kahuku (4-3) |
21 |
21 |
14 |
15 |
-- |
71 |
KALAHEO--Hoku Kaiu-Denning 4, Delicia Wilson 0, Lohi Aweau 2, Anu AhYun 1, Shanadee Canon 20, Brianne Villarosa 2, Caira Pires 0, Katie Lintz 2, Kendra Fischer 22, Kaliko Kepa 9.
KAHUKU--Camilla Ah-Hoy 12, Lenora Nauahi 0, Ane Vea 0, Brittney Fasolai 4, Artevia Wily 23, Nicole Nautu 8, Salote Livai 12, Breeah Hatch 3, Christine Meredith 9, Keisha Moeai 0.
3-point goals -- Kalaheo 4 (Fischer 4).
Junior varsity -- Kahuku 56, Kalaheo 30
No. 7 Roosevelt 54, Moanalua 38
Iwalani Kawelo scored 12 points as the Rough Riders blasted the Menehunes.
Britni Ronolo led the Menehunes with 11 points in the loss.
At Roosevelt H.S. gym
Moanalua (3-5) |
5 |
11 |
8 |
14 |
-- |
38 |
Roosevelt (7-1) |
17 |
12 |
16 |
9 |
-- |
54 |
MOANALUA--Michelle Hardy 0, Brianna Lagat-Ramos 0, Jade Miller 2, Kimberly Sato 0, Janelle Uncango 0, Jamie Ronolo 5, Indah Widyakasuma 8, Terina Blue 5, Britni Ronolo 11, Nikol Felder 7.
ROOSEVELT--Dianna Zane 8, Tati Beasley 11, Tiana Sugui 3, Iwalani Rodrigues 12, Shandree Armstead 4, Noelle Kawelo 6, Shannon Miyashiro 10, Kayleen Kaaiai 0.
3-point goals -- Moanalua 2 (Blue, J. Renolo), Roosevelt 3 (Zane 2, Beasley).
Junior varsity -- Roosevelt 45, Moanalua 20.
McKinley 50, Kaiser 49
Kaitlyn Ikehara nailed five 3-pointers as the Tigers edged the Cougars.
Chelsie Sato led the Tigers with 19 points, while Ikehara added 17 in the win.
At Kaiser H.S. gym
McKinley (2-6) |
18 |
7 |
9 |
16 |
-- |
50 |
Kaiser (3-5) |
10 |
13 |
14 |
12 |
-- |
49 |
MCKINLEY--Kaitlyn Ikehara 17, Chelsie Sato 19, Kamakani Victorino 5, Pearly Togiai 4, Joelle Sagapolu 0, Jorina Faletoi 3, Crystal Tafai 2, Chellisa Faletoi 0.
KAISER--Aja Yamamoto 9, Amber Nakachi 2, Jessica Dusich 1, Chelsey Okuma 5, Keely Bitanga 17, Sharde Pratt 15 .
3-point goals -- McKinley 6 (Ikehara 5, Kamakani), Kaiser 4 (Yamamoto 3, Okuma, Bitanga).
Junior varsity -- Kaiser 37, McKinley 17
OIA West
Leilehua 47, Campbell 38
Isis Atualevao scored 10 of her team-high 14 points in the third quarter -- eight of them from the line -- in the Mules' victory over the Sabers.
Campbell's Darlyn Livae led both teams in scoring with 15 points.
At Leilehua H.S. gym
Campbell (2-6) |
8 |
15 |
2 |
13 |
-- |
38 |
Leilehua (6-2) |
15 |
11 |
14 |
7 |
-- |
47 |
CAMPBELL--Cheyna Tagura 0, Shiann Leong 8, Shelei-Murray Thornton 0, Jasmine Valentin 4, Jenna Contemplo 1, Darlyn Livae 15, Jenny Sweeney 4, Berlyn Devera 6.
LEILEHUA--U'i Forgione 3, Ivanca Ilab 1, Ashley Momiyama 0, Charlene Borromeo 12, Justina Mason 0, Brittaney Stafford 8, Isis Atualevao 14, Marquesha McVea 9, Joray Nacapuy 0, Mahela Punley 0, Gabriella Pascual 0.
3-point goals -- Campbell 1 (Devera), Leilehua 1 (Forgione).
Junior varsity -- Campbell 41, Leilehua 14
Mililani 56, Nanakuli 50
Ashley Anthony scored 18 points and Christina Korodan added another 15 as the Trojans led the winless Golden Hawks the entire way.
Vernadine Vickers scored 15 of her game-high 20 points in the second half for Nanakuli.
At Mililani H.S. gym
Nanakuli (0-8) |
10 |
7 |
17 |
16 |
-- |
50 |
Mililani (6-2) |
11 |
15 |
13 |
17 |
-- |
56 |
NANAKULI--Sheila Argayoso 0, Ambree Hauhio 7, Vernadine Vickers 20, Jayrene Alapai 2, Britany Wolf 4, Noelani Napuelua-Saole 2, Lahela Sylva-Kanagusuku 10, Delisha Kaimi 3, Joyce Ahina 1, Frances Busano-Leleo 0, Alexis Soriano 1.
MILILANI--Kimi Ebina 4, Kelsey Woodward 2, Summer Wigeil 0, Christina Korodan 15, Rayna Downey 4, Lia Nishikura 1, Ashley Anthony 18, Haunani Richardson 0, Chantel Tanuvasa 4, Joleen Realin 6, Diamond Badados 2.
3-point goals -- Nanakuli 1 (Kaimi).
Junior varsity -- Mililani 62, Nanakuli 56