HHSAA GIRLS BASKETBALL DIVISION II
Holiona helps Aiea topple Molokai
By Kyle Galdeira
Special to the Star-Bulletin
Capri Holiona scored 14 points and pulled down 16 rebounds to help Aiea defeat Molokai 56-38 yesterday afternoon in the first round of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Girls Basketball Division II Championships at McKinley High School's Student Council Gym.
The teams struggled to find a rhythm to begin the game, and both sides traded baskets until Aiea (9-5) went on a 10-0 run to end the first quarter and led 16-6.
Na Alii used their size and power in the lane to outrebound the Farmers 44-27 in the game, including a 29-15 advantage on defense, and increased their lead to 28-16 at halftime.
"We were struggling in the beginning, but we hung in there," Holiona said. "I just told my team, 'This is our game.' We wanted the win, and we got it."
Molokai (9-6) struggled despite a surplus of open looks allowed by Aiea's defense. The Farmers shot a dismal 23.6 percent from the field, connecting on just 13 of 55 shots.
"Defensively we were really bad, we've played better than that" said Na Alii head coach Michael Yen. "We wanted to jump on them early, and get the bench (players) in, but they came out strong."
Both teams had a tough time taking care of the ball, as the squads combined for 43 turnovers, 23 of which were committed by Aiea.
The Farmers made a 16-6 run from the end of the third quarter to the early stages of the fourth period to cut Na Alii's lead to 39-32. But Aiea had too many weapons and went on a 17-6 run to end the game to preserve the victory.
Aiea freshman guard Natasha Helsham contributed 12 points and dished out three assists. Nohelani Fonoti and Emily Tausaga added 10 apiece for Na Alii, who were without starter Jennifer Yuen (flu).
Amber Sterner led Molokai with 10 points.
Na Alii moves on to play No. 3 seed La Pietra today.
"La Pietra has ball-handlers and size, so basically we have to get them to not do what they like to do and that is get inside and get (5-foot-11 forward) Courtney (Gaddis) involved," Yen said.
At McKinley High School
Molokai (9-6) |
6 |
10 |
10 |
12 |
-- |
38 |
Aiea (9-5) |
16 |
12 |
11 |
17 |
-- |
56 |
MOLOKAI--Elizabeth Kahoohanohano 0, Ayla Bicoy 0, Trinity Torres-Umi 4, Malia Schnackenberg 9, Aolani Ahina 5, Christine Keliikuli-Peters 2, Julie Bicoy 0, Amber Sterner 10, Tawney Fernandez 6, Kristan Forsberg 0, Kelsy Takashima 0, Hilary Chow 0, and Natasha Rapanot 2.
AIEA--Tierra Miguel 0, Tasha Johnson 0, Natasha Helsham 12, Tasha Fong 0, Annie Orial 0, Michelle Shiroma 4, Sara Watanabe 0, Nohealani Fonoti 10, Tierra Tauanuu 6, Emily Tausaga 10, and Capri Holiona 14.
3-point goals--Molokai 1 (Fernandez).
St. Francis 52, Hawaii Prep 36
The Troubadours got out to a quick 14-0 lead to start the game and ended up cruising past Ka Makani.
Sophomore guard Nicole Perry and senior center Siutiti Takai each pitched in with 12 points for St. Francis.
Hawaii Prep's junior center Kela Fitzgerald scored a game-high 15 points in defeat.
Troubadours coach Paul Tanaka rested his starters and allowed the reserves ample playing time after the team extended its lead to 27-9 at the end of the first half.
Ka Makani (7-7) pulled to within 15 points of the lead at the end of the third quarter, but the deficit was too large to overcome.
Hawaii Prep dug itself into a hole after the team made just four of 20 shots in the first half, and shot 31 percent from the floor throughout.
St. Francis (15-2) moves on to face fourth-seeded Seabury Hall today.
At McKinley High School
Hawaii Prep (7-7) |
4 |
5 |
11 |
16 |
-- |
36 |
St. Francis (15-2) |
16 |
11 |
8 |
17 |
-- |
52 |
HAWAII PREP--Cecily Kimura 5, Ashley Sutton 2, Charnelle Terawaki 0, Maya Chong 0, Kelly Flickinger 0, Chelsea Himalaya 7, Corina Stevens 0, Tamlyn Tsubota 3, Camille Mori 4, and Kela Fitzgerald 15.
ST. FRANCIS--Kaui Berinobis 2, Nicole Perry 12, Kanani Perry 9, Danielle Tanaka 7, Emma Dacalio-Spencer 2, Bryanna Batts 2, Maile Kimura 0, Rochelle Nakagawa 2, Kristin Enomoto 0, Melissa Allen 0, Jaimie Iwashita 0, Kacee Coito 4, and Siutiti Takai 12.
3-point goals--St. Francis 2 (K. Perry, Tanaka).
HHSAA Division II girls
At McKinley H.S. gym
Seeds: 1. Kalani. 2. Kamehameha-Hawaii. 3. La Pietra. 4. Seabury Hall.
YESTERDAY
Game 1: Aiea 56, Molokai 38
2: St. Francis 52, Hawaii Prep 36
3: Word of Life 52, Kapaa 49
4: Castle 44, Hawaii Baptist 41
TODAY
5: Hawaii Prep vs. Kapaa, 12:45 p.m.
6: St. Francis vs. Seabury Hall, 2:30 p.m.
7: Castle vs. KS-Hawaii, 4:15 p.m.
8: Aiea vs. La Pietra, 6 p.m.
9: Word of Life vs. Kalani, 8 p.m.
TOMORROW
10: Molokai vs. Hawaii Baptist, 12:45 p.m.
11: Losers of Games 6 & 9, 2:30 p.m.
12: Losers of Games 8 & 7, 4:15 p.m.
13: Winners of Games 6 & 9, 6 p.m.
14: Winners of Games 8 & 7, 8 p.m.
FRIDAY
15: Winners of Games 10 & 5, 2:30 p.m.
16: Winners of Games 12 & 11, 4:15 p.m.
17: Losers of Games 14 & 13, 6 p.m.
18: Winners of Games 14 & 13, 8 p.m.
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