HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL
With Kuehu, Nomura back, Buffs beat Kamehameha
The Punahou girls basketball team is getting healthy at the right time to make one final push toward an Interscholastic League of Honolulu crown.
Buoyed by the return of guard Janelle Nomura and senior Shawna-Lei Kuehu, the second-ranked Buffanblu overcame a sluggish first half to knock off No. 9 Kamehameha 51-36 yesterday at Hemmeter Fieldhouse.
Nomura, who hadn't played in an ILH game all season, scored all seven of her points in the second half. Kuehu finished with 12 points, four rebounds and three steals in her first game back after missing the previous two.
"We still haven't had everyone healthy," said Punahou coach Mike Taylor, who has led the Buffanblu (10-1) to state titles in three of the past five years. "We wavered too much in the first half and played selfish on both ends of the court."
Punahou took a half-game lead over idle Iolani (9-1) for the top spot in the ILH. The teams split their two regular-season games and meet again tomorrow for the ILH crown and a probable No. 1 seed in the state tournament.
"It's a huge deal to get that bye in the state tournament," Taylor said. "It's three days versus four and gives us a chance to get extra rest. Plus, we won't have to play in the tournament for the second seed and play a tough team like Kamehameha again for the fourth time."
The Warriors (4-6) closed the second quarter with two baskets in the final 30 seconds to cut Punahou's lead to 18-14 going into halftime.
Shaena-Lyn Kuehu, Shawna-Lei's twin sister, was held to just two points in the first half, but she blew the game open by scoring Punahou's first 13 points in the third quarter. They all came in the opening 2 minutes, 30 seconds as she hit three 3-pointers and got two layups off steals.
"I was hesitant on my shots," Kuehu said. "I tend to pass more early on to get my teammates involved. I took what they gave me in the second half."
The Warriors didn't do themselves any favors by turning the ball over 22 times.
"We're still undisciplined," Kamehameha coach Clay Cockett said. "They put a lot of pressure on you defensively and we threw the ball away too much, which killed us."
Nomura continued the onslaught by draining a 3-pointer, her first basket in more than a month, to put the Buffanblu up 34-17.
Kamehameha senior Rhani Kaneaiakala scored six points during an 11-2 run to help the Warriors pull to within eight.
Nomura ended the drought with a layup and the Buffanblu scored the next 10 points to put the game away.
Shaena-Lyn Kuehu finished with a team-high 18 points, four rebounds and three steals. Junior Tressa Torres added six points, seven rebounds and four steals
At Hemmeter Fieldhouse
Kamehameha (4-6) |
4 |
10 |
9 |
13 |
-- |
36
|
Punahou (10-1) |
10 |
8 |
18 |
15 |
-- |
51 |
KAMEHAMEHA -- Alexis Furtado 12, Shaleese Javillo 8, Lindsey Wong 0, Kylle Roy 8, Casey Lum 0, Rhani Kaneaiakala 7, Pomaikai Kalakau 0, Tiana Abbley 0, Mara Mukai 0, Zayne Apiki 1.
PUNAHOU -- Rebecca Lau 4, Dara Tompkison 0, Anna Merrifield 2, Shaena-Lyn Kuehu 18, Tressa Torres 6, Janelle Nomura 7, Ashley Satterwhite 2, Shawna-Lei Kuehu 12, Julianne Nomura 0, Tiera Jenson 0, Kysa Ludviksen 0, Jennifer Ching 0, Julia Brand 0.
3-point goals - Kamehameha 0, Punahou 4 (Shae. Kuehu 3, Nomura).
Mid-Pacific 57, Sacred Hearts 49, OT
Johnelle Kapua scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Owls past the Lancers in overtime.
At Mid-Pacific H.S. gym
Sacred Hearts (0-10) |
8 |
10 |
12 |
15 |
4 |
-- |
49
|
Mid-Pacific (3-7) |
12 |
12 |
6 |
15 |
12 |
-- |
57 |
SACRED HEARTS -- Kapo Lupenui 0, Rayna Munos 8, Ronalyn Timbreza 2, Kamri Lin 8, Morgan Donohue 0, Ashley Ordenstein 8, Maya Clark 0, Lindsey Bareng 0, Raecha-Ann Kauahikaua 14, Kuhina Luis 9.
MID-PACIFIC-- Paige Young 3, Ashley Yamachika 13, Johnelle Kapua 18, Kristin Yama 0, Shanon Nishimura 3, Kelli Shibata 0, Alyssa Kau 0, Jordan Kealoha 4, Keaton McFadden 7, Jenna Savusa 9.
3-point goals -- Sacred Hearts 4 (Munos 2, Ordenstein, Kauahikaua), Mid-Pacific 4 (Yamachika 3, Kealoha).
ILH GIRLS DIVISION II
Maryknoll 42, Hanalani 39
The Spartans outscored the Eagles 14-8 in the fourth quarter to hang on for the win. Melissa Ching led Maryknoll with 13 points.
At Hanalani H.S. gym
Maryknoll (5-0) |
7 |
10 |
11 |
14 |
-- |
42
|
Hanalani (4-3) |
12 |
11 |
8 |
8 |
-- |
39 |
MARYKNOLL -- Kristen Canensia 5, Ashley Agcaoili 4, Amanda Macadangdang 0, Miho Arai 0, Corine Gushikuma 0, Ashley Shiroma 0, Melissa Ching 13, Sam Chung 10, Soana Fifita 5, Tiana Marquez 5.
HANALANI -- Rachel Matalau 6, Nicole Craig 7, Samantha Hyde 7, Janelle Fetui 5, Mariah Shoniwitz 4, Katie Scully 2, Kristi Arellano 0, Ruth Matalau 8.
3-point goals -- Maryknoll 2 (Canensia, Ching), Hanalani none.