Tigers shoot their way past Kailua

McKinley routs Surfriders

A showdown between two one-loss teams in the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Division turned into a one-sided affair last night at McKinley.

Senior Chelsie Sato poured in a game-high 18 points and freshman Jackie Tihano nailed four of McKinley's eight 3-pointers as the host Tigers routed Kailua 64-39 to move into a first-place tie with Campbell at 7-1.

Backup forward Crystal Tafai scored McKinley's first six points of the game and finished with 11.

The Tigers were so hot from the outside that they banked in two buzzer-beaters from way beyond the 3-point line. Senior Kaitlyn Ikehara ended the first quarter by drilling a shot from about 25 feet, but was outdone by Tihano, who ended the first half with a shot from about midway between the 3-point and halfcourt lines.

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McKinley coach Bob Morikuni is afraid his team lives and dies too much with the outside shot.

For now though, the Tigers are living pretty good.

Freshman Jackie Tihano nailed four of McKinley's eight 3-pointers and senior Chelsie Sato led all scorers with 18 points and six rebounds as the host Tigers rolled over Kailua 64-39 last night in a battle of two one-loss teams in the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Division.

McKinley (7-1) moved into a tie with idle Campbell for first-place in the division, and the Surfriders (6-2) dropped a game back. The Tigers own the tiebreaker over the Sabers after defeating them earlier in the season in the only matchup between the squads.

"We've been shooting the ball well lately, which is what we have to do since we're not very tall," Morikuni said. "Teams are going to start keying on that, especially come playoff time, so we have to find ways to score some points in the paint."

The Tigers have made an astounding 25 3-pointers in their last three games, but started last night's game 0-for-5 and didn't score in the opening 4 minutes. Morikuni quickly subbed in backup forward Crystal Tafai, who immediately scored six points in a minute, and the rout was on. The Tigers ended the first quarter on a 17-2 run, capped off by a 3-pointer from Kaitlyn Ikehara at the buzzer from about 25 feet.

"They're so hard to defend because not only can they shoot lights out, but they have so many different girls that can shoot," Kailua coach Ramona Takahashi said.

The Tigers increased their lead in the second quarter thanks to Sato, who had nine of her 18 points in the period. Tihano also nailed three of her four 3-pointers in the quarter, including a bank shot at the halftime buzzer that was good from about 35 feet that gave McKinley a 39-19 halftime lead.

"(Jackie) has really been stepping up lately," Sato said. "She makes things easier for all of us."

Tihano added six assists with only one turnover as McKinley turned the ball over just three times in the first half while forcing the Surfriders into 12 miscues. Kristen Corrales led Kailua with 14 points, and Ashley Jacobs, who was sixth in the division in scoring entering the game, had just three points in the first three quarters and finished with eight.

"Our normal scorers were struggling tonight, but a lot of it was the defense McKinley played," Takahashi said. "You have to give them the credit for that."

At McKinley H.S. gym

Kailua (6-2)	5	14	9	11	--	39
McKinley (7-1)	17	22	10	15	--	64

KAILUA--Jackie Tihano 12, Kaitlyn Ikehara 6, Chelsie Sato 18, Jaelynn Lopez 6, Joelle Sagapolu 0, Maribel Hebron 2, Kylie Sato 5, Sasha Hong 2, Jorina Faletoi 0, Crystal Tafai 11, Allyson Villanueva 2.

MCKINLEY--Kristen Corrales 14, Tawny Kiko 5, Chelsea Babylon 2, Miki Scott 1, Zsalei Kamaka 2, Jarrish Mauhili-Kaneakua 0, Netia Ulugaono 5, Ashley Jacobs 8, Kahea Chang 2, Francine Sua-Godinet 0.

3-point goals--Kailua 4 (Corrales 2, Jacobs, Kiko), McKinley 8 (Tihano 4, Ikehara 2, K. Sato, C. Sato).

Junior varsity--McKinley 34, Kailua 28

Kaiser 58, Anuenue 12

Kyla Wang scored nine of her game-high 16 points in the first half and Jessica Dusich added eight of her 12 points before intermisssion to lead Kaiser to a 29-4 mark after two quarters.

Ka'imi Asing and Kenui Wahilani scored five points apiece for Anuenue.

At Kaiser H.S. gym

Anuenue (0-8)	2	2	0	8	--	12
Kaiser (2-6)	14	15	18	11	--	58

ANUENUE-- Ka'imi Asing 5, Kapela Kahili 0, Kenui Wahilani 5, Leikula Gottlieb 1, Nalani Kamano 1, Pua'alekai Kimball-Aikau 0, Punawai Crawford-Kapanui 0, Naalehu Tolentino 0 .

KAISER--Sarah Aila 3, Jessica Dusich 12, Tiare Kepa 8, Kristyn Mathenson 6, Mari Mathenson 4, Chelsea Okuma 4, Leandra Poole 3, Jewels Ross 0, Kyla Wang 16, Kristi Yakuma 2.

3-point goals--Anuenue 1 (Wahilani).

OIA Red West

Aiea 40, Nanakuli 37

Natasha Helsham scored a team-high 12 points for Na Alii, who outscored the Golden Hawks 16-5 in a pivotal second quarter.

At Nanakuli H.S. gym

Aiea (5-3)	4	16	7	13	--	40
Nanakuli (3-4)	8	5	8	16	--	37

AIEA--Tasha Johnson 4, Jennifer Yuen 2, Ashley Primacio 0, Natasha Helsham 12, Natasha Fong 0, Annie Orial 0, Michelle Shiroma 2, Sara Watanabe 0, Nohelani Fonoti 0, Chelsea Albrecht 0, Tierra Tauanuu 0, Emily Tausaga 8, Carol Sio 0, Capri Holiona 12.

NANAKULI--Kamil Keawe 0, Chazmyne Morgan 6, Sasha Montez 14, Sheila Argayoso 6, Ambree Hauhio 5, Britney Wolf 2, Lahela Sylva-Kanagusuku 0, Delisha Kaimi 2, Malie Moe 2.

3-point goals--Aiea 2 (Helsham 2).

Junior varsity--Nanakuli 47, Aiea 45

Mililani 46, Leilehua 32

Meilin Akiu scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Trojans over the Mules.

Brittaney Stafford scored a game-high 16 points to lead Leilehua.

At Mililani H.S. gym

Leilehua (2-6)	8	5	12	7	--	32
Mililani (2-6)	17	9	11	9	--	46

LEILEHUA--Ashley Gonzales 10, Josette Bocobo 0, Alaina Johnson 0, Sabrina McBride 0, Cassey Borromeo 2, Ashley Momiyama 0, Brittaney Stafford 16, Claudia Veikune 0, Tete Moore 1, Mariah McCloud 1, Team 2.

MILILANI--Jordan Sakai 5, Chelsea Basilio 2, Kimi Ebina 3, Glenelle Nitta 0, Jamielyn Kaleiwahea 8, Breana Locquiau 0, Haunani Richardson 0, Chantel Tanuvasa 4, Courtney Senas 4, Joleen Realin 6, Meilin Akiu 14, Laneisha Lewis 0.

3-point goals -- Leilehua 1 (Stafford), Mililani 4 (Kaleiwahea 2, Sakai, Ebina).

Junior varsity--Leilehua 45, Mililani 39

OIA REd EAST

No. 6 Kalani 61, Kaimuki 40

The Falcons jumped to a 32-13 halftime lead behind the efforts of their three 6-footers, Allison Nuessl, Rhianna Farm, and Violet Alama. Eleven players scored in a balanced win for No. 6 Kalani.

Kalani had 21 steals, with Megan Kamehiro and Kaie Gushiken tallying five apiece.

Courtney Gaddis added seven assists and six rebounds.

At Kalani H.S. gym

Kaimuki (1-8)	4	9	11	16	--	40
Kalani (7-1)	18	14	20	9	--	61

KAIMUKI--Olivia Phommachanh 10, Mindy Hirokawa 2, Janelle Shimabukuro 0, Melanie Maglaya 0, Maria Colon 7, Denisha Fa'asoa 0, Sinead Scovil 6, Yunnis Rubrico , Monica Umeda 2, Louise Fiamate 3, Sarah Tu'akalau 0, Ashley Fortson 10, Ayesha Shepard 0.

KALANI--Megan Kamehiro 9, Kacie Gushiken 5, Courtney Gaddis 2, Kim Cabuyadao 6, Violet Alama 8, Allison Neussl 10, Chloe Martin 0, Brandi Yamauchi 0, Kim Balsai 2, Alisha Bonafacio 0, Chaude Bonafacio 4, Kayla Kimura 0, Chelsea Kimura 3, Tia Kobayashi 3, Rhianna Farm 9.

3-point goals --Kaimuki 0, Kalani 3 (Kamehiro, C. Kimura, Gushiken).

Junior varsity--Kalani 60, Kaimuki 32