In a battle of two hungry teams, Farrington feasted. Its opponent is still looking for a meal.
After a lackadaisical first half, the No. 8 Govs soundly outplayed Moanalua for a 62-53 victory to remain in contention for an opening-round bye in the Oahu Interscholastic Association playoffs.
Next is a showdown with No. 10 Roosevelt tomorrow, which likely determines second place in the OIA Red East, and the coveted No. 2 East seed -- and bye -- in the postseason bracket.
The Governors (8-2) came out from halftime with conviction, outscoring Na Menehune (6-5) 19-8 in the third quarter on the way to putting a damper on Moanalua's senior night, and almost ensured Na Menehune's run through the tournament will be a tougher one.
Four Governors scored in double figures, headed by junior forward Valerie Lesu's 17 points and four steals. Guard Natalie Mata added 12 points and five rebounds, while Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo contributed 11 points and five rebounds and Honour Stone put up 12 points and three assists.
"I told our girls every game is a big game for us," Farrington coach Caroline Tatupu said. "Moanalua gave us a big challenge last time they came to our gym, and we wanted to take our game a step further. We got off to a slow start in the first half, but the girls, you know, starting the second half I told them we were at 0-0, square one."
While Farrington lost the turnover battle early, it gave away the ball just five times in the second half.
If one player embodied the renewed energy, it was Mata, a starting guard who struggled in the first half. In the third quarter, she carved her way through Moanalua's zone defense for two three-point plays and scored 10 of her 12 points after halftime.
"I was trying to push my team and try to get us going," Mata said. "Motivation. We usually get off to a slow start ... I was trying to open things up for the outside."
Her coach acknowledged the effort.
"Every day she's been taking her game a little bit further, and she was big for us, making key plays," Tatupu said.
Stone played the role of closer, with back-to-back runners in the fourth after Na Menehune had cut the lead to five with 2:45 seconds left. Lesu hit her final basket and Farrington converted enough free throws to coast comfortably.
Britni Ronolo paced Na Menehune with 15 points and eight rebounds. Michelle Hardy had a game-high six steals.
At Moanalua H.S. gym
| Farrington (8-2) |
12 |
14 |
19 |
17 |
-- |
62
|
| Moanalua (6-5) |
15 |
15 |
8 |
15 |
-- |
53 |
FARRINGTON -- Honour Stone 12, Natalie Mata 12, Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo 11, Valerie Lesu 17, Lusina Otineru 4, Sofia Folaumahina 0, Janell Nance 6, Precious Maave 0.
MOANALUA -- Michelle Hardy 6, Janelle Uncangco 0, Qwineysha Wheeler 12, Britni Ronolo 15, Indah Widyakusuma 13, Hoku Dela Cruz 0, Joanna Nicolas 7, Marie Annjanette Verdida 0, Amanda Selvey 0, Justine Aguas 0.
3-point goals -- Farrington 2 (Tatupu-Leopoldo, Lesu), Moanalua 1 (Nicolas).
Junior varsity -- Farrington 56, Moanalua 44
No. 5 Kalani 56, Kaimuki 43
Rhianna Farm and Violet Alama combined for 34 points inside.
Olivia Thommachanch scored 17 points for the Bulldogs.
At Kalani H.S. gym
| Kaimuki (0-10) |
7 |
13 |
6 |
17 |
-- |
43
|
| Kalani (10-1) |
13 |
17 |
18 |
8 |
-- |
56 |
KAIMUKI -- Olivia Thommachanch 17, Latisha Faasoa 8, Dinishah Faasoa 10, Nina Atiga 0, Lati Nikaele 0, Pua Akaka 0, Sinead Seovil 6, Yunnie Rubrieo 2, Brittney Anglin 0, Lani Nikaele 0, Sasha Tokuda 0, Brooke Borce 0.
KALANI -- Chloe Martin 2, Kayla Kimura 2, Brandi Yamauchi 4, Tiffany Liao 0, Iwalani Rodrigues 12, Ashlyn Onaga 2, Rhianna Farm 20, Kim Balsai 0, Jamie Higa 0, Violet Alama 14, Cara Kamehiro 0, Tiare Maafala 0, Tia Kobayashi 0.
3-point goals -- Kaimuki 2 (Thommachanch 2), Kalani none.
Junior varsity score not reported.
Kahuku 50, Kalaheo 33
Taeja Afalava led all scorers with 17 points as the Red Raiders cruised past the Mustangs.
At Kahuku H.S. gym
| Kalaheo (1-7) |
12 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
-- |
33
|
| Kahuku (3-6) |
13 |
11 |
9 |
17 |
-- |
50 |
KALAHEO -- Nicole Cobb 4 , Hiilei Olson 0 , Kamele Perry 3 , Caira Pires 8, Hoku Malama-Custer 5, Angela Wozniak 3 , Ka'u Cale 10, Latasia Franklin 0, Rachel Kahlbaum 0.
KAHUKU -- Taeja Afalava 17, Alysha Cummings 7, Nile Teo 4, Lavania Latu 3, Rachel Taelele 5, Alayna Galeai 10, Adele Schwenke 4, Jessica Falemalu 0.
3-point goals -- Kalaheo 1 (Cale), Kahuku 2 (Taelele, Teo).
Junior varsity -- Kalaheo 44, Kahuku 29
OIA RED WEST
No. 3 Radford 42, Pearl City 27
Ta Nitra Byrd hit for 13 points to lead the undefeated Rams over the Chargers.
At Radford H.S. gym
| Pearl City (4-6) |
8 |
8 |
6 |
5 |
-- |
27
|
| Radford (11-0) |
6 |
12 |
9 |
15 |
-- |
42 |
PEARL CITY -- Glacen Florita 0, Kasie Kunishima 0, Kalei Adams 5, Jordan Ahakuelo 7, Emme Cabrejos 0, Patricia Langi 9, Markeshia Manning 6, Kaiona Auyong 0, Seanelle Esperanza 0, Ariel Rivera 0.
RADFORD -- Itali Lindsey 3, Bui Baravilala 8, Disa Brown 0, Marlena Malepeai 9, Brittini Fuller 5, Chelsea-Ann Villanueva 2, Marsharen Dupont 2, Jasmine Mailo 0, Ta Nitra Byrd 13.
3-point goals -- Pearl City 1 (Ahakuelo), Radford none.
Junior varsity -- Pearl City 41, Radford 28
Aiea 42, Nanakuli 40
Carol Sio scored 25 points to lead Na Alii to the win.
At Aiea H.S. gym
| Nanakuli (5-6) |
5 |
15 |
8 |
12 |
-- |
40
|
| Aiea (8-2) |
13 |
12 |
10 |
7 |
-- |
42 |
NANAKULI -- Haven McShane 4, Violet Mau 11, Sasha Montez 9, Britney Wolf 10, Camil Keawe 0, Kelsi Noa 0, Nainuiolealelei Kakiva 0, Potesia Toli 0, Grace Brack-Warner 0, Stephanie Kalili 0, Sheila Argayoso 6, Kristie Rosa 0.
AIEA -- Piilani Boner-Lee 0, Ashlei Liilii 0, Natasha Fong 2, Danielle Grace 0, Crystal Tagudin 0, Rayna Strom-Okimoto 0, Maria Holtzman 0, Shayla Kuehu 6, Emily Tausaga 1, Capri Holiona 7, Jennifer Yuen 1, Carol Sio 25.
3-point goals -- Nanakuli 2 (Montez, Mau), Aiea none.
Junior varsity -- Aiea 45, Nanakuli 20
Mililani 60, Leilehua 38
Joleen Realin scored 19 points to lead the Trojans over the Mules.
At Mililani H.S. gym
| Leilehua (0-10) |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
-- |
38
|
| Mililani (5-5) |
17 |
11 |
18 |
14 |
-- |
60 |
LEILEHUA -- Ciara Paracuelles 5, Ashley Gonzales 8, Patricia Lindo 2, Lei Paikai 7, Claudia Veikune 4, Tatiana Tautau 2, Chelsey Fontes 3, Mariyah Tamaalemalo 7.
MILILANI -- Sophie Chang 9, Joleen Realin 19, Glenelle Nitta 8, Chelsea Korodan 4, Kellise Dela Cruz 4, Meilin Akiu 13, Leinnan Roylos 1, Celina Garces 2.
3-point goals -- Leilehua 3 (Paracuelles, Fontes, Tamaalemalo), Mililani 4 (Realin 2, Korodan, Chang).
Junior varsity -- Mililani 38, Leilehua 32
OIA WHITE
Kailua 48, Anuenue 13
Kahea Chang's 12 points led the Surfriders in a romp over the Rainbow Wahine.
At Kailua H.S. gym
| Kailua (8-2) |
21 |
7 |
8 |
12 |
-- |
48
|
| Anuenue (1-7) |
3 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
-- |
13 |
KAILUA -- Kristen Corrales 5, Tawny Kiko 6, Sola Williams 6, Aui Williams 5, Tianna McKeague 0, Zsalei Kamaka 6, Ashley Jacobs 6, Tia Navarro 2, Kahea Chang 12.
ANUENUE -- Kalaiku Kaowili 2, Kenui Wahilani 4, Nalani Kamano 4, Pua Kimball-Aikau 3, Kapela Kahili 0. Hoonani Wahilani 0.
3-point goals -- Kailua 1 (Corrales), Anuenue none.
Waipahu 34, Thompson 18
Olafou Pelupelu's eight points led the Marauders' balanced attack in the win over the Sharks.
At Waipahu H.S. gym
| Thompson (0-10) |
6 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
-- |
18
|
| Waipahu (2-8) |
15 |
6 |
9 |
4 |
-- |
34 |
THOMPSON -- Justell Arthur 4, Thatyana Vasquez 0, Jessica Pruss 4, Taryn Pacewicz 6, Racquel Vasquez 0, Krystel C. 4.
WAIPAHU -- Brendalyn Brub 2, Lilyan Donley 2, Nomielyn Esteban 0, June Fanene 6, Andrea Felise-Laa 4, Ashley Garcia 2, Amber Javier 4, Jessica Lozano 4, Olafou Pelupelu 8, Kelcey Viliamu 2, Mahea Spencer 0.
3-point goals -- Thompson none , Waipahu none.
McKinley 41, Campbell 35
Kylie Sato hit for 15 points and Pearly Togiai went 4-for-4 on the free-throw line in the final 2 minutes, as the Tigers handed the Sabers their first loss.
At Campbell H.S. gym
| McKinley (9-1) |
6 |
13 |
10 |
12 |
-- |
41
|
| Campbell (9-1) |
8 |
7 |
8 |
12 |
-- |
35 |
MCKINLEY -- Jackie Tihano 10, Crystal Tafai 2, Kylie Sato 15, Pearly Togiai 10, Tatiana Dinson 0, Jorina Faletoi 2, Allyson Villanueva 0, Chelsea Taele 2.
CAMPBELL -- Ama Lui 2, Jazmin Brown 4, Ariel Medlin 4, Vai Confer 4, Aloha Dias-Kekahuna 12, Amber Kaulia 5, Kaitlynn Simmonds 2, Oli Kila 2.
3-point goals -- McKinley 3 (Tihano 2, Sato), Campbell none.
Junior varsity -- Campbell def. McKinley by forfeit.
Waialua 53, Kaiser 51
Brittney Basilio scored a game-high 17 points as the Bulldogs held off the Cougars.
At Waialua H.S. gym
| Kaiser (2-7) |
12 |
11 |
14 |
14 |
-- |
51
|
| Waialua (5-5) |
14 |
16 |
10 |
13 |
-- |
53 |
KAISER -- Leandra Poole 10, Kyla Wang 3, Kristi Yakuma 2, Kristin Mathewson 8, Lisa Sniffin 0, Bailey Miller 11, Chelsy Okuma 15, Esther Choe 0, Kelani Uti 2, Alyssa Nghiem 0, Annie Yang 0.
WAIALUA -- Klleirr Tuyay 8, Shiree Dela Cruz 0, Kim Meyerowitz 11, Crystalyn Moniz 4, Brittney Basilio 17, Angela Whittaker 6, Lauren Shiraishi 0, Salvie Alsanta 1, Savannah Ash 2, Hoku Ho 4.
3-point goals -- Kaiser 1 (Okuma), Waialua 2 (Basilio 2).
Junior varsity -- Kaiser 30, Waialua 23
Castle 45, Waianae 33
The Knights, led by Leisha Liilii's 12 points, beat the Seariders. For Waianae, Beverly Madrid put in 14 points to lead all scorers.
At Waianae H.S. gym
| Castle (7-3) |
6 |
16 |
5 |
18 |
-- |
45
|
| Waianae (5-4) |
7 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
-- |
33 |
CASTLE -- Brandee Sasaki 4, Kori Berinobis 3, Nicki Kobashigawa 5 , Kelsea Berinobis 0, Leisha Liilii 12, Leesha Domingo 5, Nicole Aberilla 9 , Kree Espinda 2, Candy Ames 5.
WAIANAE -- Chaelyn Manuel 0, Alesa Ramaila 0, Emma Atiga 2, Beverly Madrid 14, Alexis Mason 4, Dynasty Ayala 2, Genevieve Cuesta 4, Shantel Buckner 7, Emma Tanoi 0.
3-point goals -- Castle none, Waianae 2 (Madrid 2).
Junior varsity -- Castle 41, Waianae 33
