For a brief moment in time, the clouds parted and the Kamehameha Warriors boys basketball team had an opportunity to seize control of its destiny.
The Iolani Raiders, though, would not budge. Taylor Mounts rained in 11 consecutive free throws in the final quarter as No. 3 Iolani outlasted No. 4 Kamehameha 59-45 last night.
The loss sent Kamehameha back into third place and a step behind in the race for one of the league's two automatic state-tourney berths.
A happy doctor is a happy coach when it comes to Iolani boys hoops.
Dr. Mark Mugiishi was all smiles after his team withstood a Kamehameha rally for a pivotal 59-45 win last night at the Raiders gym. Taylor Mounts led the way with 25 points, including 11-for-11 shooting from the foul line in the fourth quarter.
The win propelled No. 3 Iolani to 8-2 in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and dropped fourth-ranked Kamehameha to 6-3.
Iolani and Punahou are the front-runners, with two losses each, and the league's top two finishers will earn automatic state-tournament berths. The Raiders got an edge on Kamehameha the way Mugiishi demanded -- exerting more pressure and getting all the hustle plays that they lacked in an earlier loss at Kamehameha.
"The effort was good," Mugiishi said. "Kamehameha is athletic and strong, and we had to match that. When I saw that from our team, I felt confident."
Pablo Warner used his aggressive drives to the hoop to finish with 14 points, while Mounts had 12 rebounds. Iolani outboarded the visitors 25-21.
Once again, the Raiders eschewed their patented 1-3-1 zone traps in favor of a stifling man-to-man defense. Kamehameha shot 36 percent and didn't have a scorer in double figures. Edmund Kamano, Auwae DeRego and Kamakoa Downey-Jovanovich had eight points each.
Unlike Warner, none of the Warriors aside from point guard Brandon Dumlao were able or willing to attack the rim consistently.
"Our coaches told us yesterday at practice, 'Don't play like robots. Don't forget to play the game,'" Warner said.
The Raiders shot 50 percent from the field (16-for-32) and had a clinic at the free-throw line at 82 percent (23-for-28).
"I gotta prepare them a lot better," Kamehameha coach Jesse Nakanishi said. "The loose balls, rebounds and free throws. That's all about mental toughness. Iolani's a quality team, a great team."
Iolani started well with an 8-0 lead and had a commanding 20-6 edge after one quarter on 60 percent shooting.
The Warriors pulled within 22-17 after Pii Minns hit a follow shot and drained a 3-pointer midway through the second quarter. Iolani, however, has a habit of finishing the first half strong, and went on a 7-1 run going into the break. Mounts had 10 points by halftime.
Kamehameha got a layup and a trey from Kamano to pull within 29-27 midway through the third quarter, but got no closer. Trevyn Tulonghari answered with a baseline jumper and a pair of foul shots as the Raiders went on a 9-4 run to finish the third quarter.
The Warriors were still within 49-42 after DeRego hit a turnaround jumper in the paint with 1:27 to go, but Mounts and Lionel Fujioka combined to shoot 10-for-10 from the charity stripe in the final 1:03.
"I've gained more confidence as the season's progressed," said Mounts, a 6-foot-5 senior. He shot 7-for-10 from the field. "Free throws are all about confidence."
The Raiders don't play again until Saturday's matchup with Damien. Kamehameha will battle Maryknoll tomorrow.
At Iolani School gym
| Kamehameha (6-3) |
6 |
12 |
16 |
11 |
-- |
45
|
| Iolani (8-2) |
20 |
9 |
9 |
21 |
-- |
59 |
KAMEHAMEHA -- Edmund Kamano 8, Kawika Lyons 6, Chaz Bajet 0, Brandon Dumlao 6, Pii Minns 5, Auwae DeRego 8, Shawn Bode 0, Blake Viena 4, Damien Teramae-Kaehuaea 0, Kamakoa Downey-Jovanovich 8.
IOLANI -- Kela Marciel 4, Andrew Skalman 0, Nick Christman 2, Trevyn Tulonghari 2, Lionel Fujioka 6, Berton Wong 3, Brandon Ball 0, Bricen McCartney 3, Pablo Warner 14, Taylor Mounts 25, Jarrett Arakawa 0.
3-point goals -- Kamehameha 5 (Lyons 2, Kamano, Dumlao, Minns), Iolani 2 (Wong, McCartney).
No. 8 Saint Louis 55, Damien 39
Michael Tuiloma scored a game-high 19 points as the Crusaders defeated the Monarchs.
At McCabe Gym
| Saint Louis (4-6) |
15 |
8 |
13 |
19 |
-- |
55
|
| Damien (0-10) |
15 |
6 |
12 |
6 |
-- |
39 |
SAINT LOUIS -- Lucas Gonsalves 5, Kamakani Usui 0, Micah McClinton 5, Corey Lau 4, Dean Viela 0, Kyle Gonzaga 4, Cole Shidaki 8, Marcus Umu 1, Michael Tuiloma 19, Jamison Miller 5, Moses Samia 4.
DAMIEN -- Nikko Romuar 7, Drey Dutro 0, Tim Smith 4, Anthony Tuitele 4, Kaiakoili Lima 14, Nick Cerny 0, Aminis Thompson 6, Austin Dawson 0, Tyler Tamayo 0, Mark Baay 0, Michael Memea 2, Breysen Lee 2.
3-point goals -- Saint Louis 2 (Gonsalves, Tuiloma), Damien 1 (Romuar).
Mid-Pacific 56, No. 9 Maryknoll 47
Marcus Holyfield's 28 points helped the Owls to an unlikely win over the Spartans.
At Damien H.S. gym
| Maryknoll (5-5) |
11 |
7 |
10 |
19 |
-- |
47
|
| Mid-Pacific (3-6) |
8 |
10 |
18 |
20 |
-- |
56 |
MARYKNOLL -- Tyler Terai 8, Scott Kamimura 0, Garrick Chock 3, Christian Bueno-Kanei 5, Javen Correia 4, Rian Huizingh 0, Micah Kalepa 6 , Richard Herring 17 , Ross Lum 4, Dillon Keaney 0.
MID-PACIFIC -- Sampson Won 6, Jaime Rivera 3, Marcus Holyfield 28, Devon Takenaka 6, Cameron Roberts 0, Jonathan Taniguchi 0, Ryan Kurihara 5, Kellar Ellsworth 8.
3-point goals -- Maryknoll 7 (Herring 3, Terai 2, Chock, Bueno-Kanei), Mid-Pacific 5 (Holyfield 2, Won, Kurihara, Rivera).
ILH Divsion I-AA
Kamehameha 52, Iolani 38
Punahou 40, Saint Louis 36
ILH DIVISION I GIRLS
No. 2 Iolani 48, Mid-Pacific 43, OT
Kylie Ahlo scored seven of her 17 points in overtime as the Raiders (10-2) rallied for a win over the Owls (3-9).
Iolani's Jamie Smith, a strong candidate for statewide player-of-the-year honors, sat out with a concussion and broken nose suffered in last week's loss to Punahou. Her teammates stepped up despite being outsized by the visiting Owls.
Mid-Pac took a 37-29 lead after Ashley Yamachika hit a 3-pointer and Keaton McFadden hit a shot in the low post with 2 minutes left in regulation.
However, Iolani's fullcourt press stymied the Owls, and Chanel Hirata's 3-pointer tied the game at 37 with 1:30 to play. Ahlo's pull-up from the foul line with 3 seconds left missed and the game went into OT.
After four lead changes, Dayna Jandoc's trey gave Iolani the lead for good, 45-43, with 50 seconds remaining.
Iolani will be the top seed in the ILH's postseason tournament for the second state-tournament berth. Punahou (11-1) clinched the regular-season title and an automatic state berth last week.
Jordan Kealoha led MPI with 11 points.
At Iolani H.S. gym
| Mid-Pacific (3-9) |
4 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
6 |
-- |
43
|
| Iolani (10-2) |
5 |
11 |
9 |
12 |
11 |
-- |
48 |
MID-PACIFIC -- Paige Young 3, Ashley Yamachika 8, Johnelle Kapua 4, Alyssa Kau 0, Kristin Yama 0, Jordan Kealoha 7, Keaton McFadden 11, Jenna Savusa 10.
IOLANI -- Tami Konishi 2, Kylie Ahlo 17, Lahela Usui 4, Lori Yamashita 0, Chanel Hirata 9, Dayna Jandoc 10, Raechele Takara 0, Hailey Maeda 6.
3-point goals -- Mid-Pacific 4 (Yamachika 2, Kealoha 2), Iolani 7 (Ahlo 3, Hirata 2, Jandoc 2).
No. 9 Kamehameha 56, Sacred Hearts 36
Alexis Furtado scored 14 points and Rhani Kaneaiakala added 11 as the Warriors defeated the Lancers.
At Sacred Hearts H.S. gym
| Kamehameha (6-7) |
12 |
13 |
11 |
20 |
-- |
56
|
| Sacred Hearts (0-11) |
8 |
7 |
8 |
13 |
-- |
36 |
KAMEHAMEHA -- Alexis Furtado 14, Pomai Kalakau 2, Shaleese Javillo 4, Lindsey Wong 4, Tiana Abbley 2, Piikea Kalakau 4, Rhani Kaneaiakala 11, Mara Mukai 2, Kylie Roy 6, Casey Lum 7.
SACRED HEARTS -- Kapo Lupenui 0, Rayna Munos 8, Kamri Lin 0, Ashley Ordenstein 6, Maya Clark 3, Lindsey Bareng 2, Raecha-Ann Kauahikaua 8, Kuhina Luis 5, Naihe Paikai 1, Noel Soma 3.
3-point goals -- Kamehameha 2 (Furtado 2), Sacred Hearts 4 (Munos 2, Ordenstein, Clark).
ILH Division I-AA
Kamehameha 50, Iolani 28
OIA RED EAST GIRLS
No. 10 Farrington 44, No. 5 Kalani 33
Lucina Otineru scored 16 points as the Governors upset the Falcons.
At Farrington H.S. gym
| Kalani (10-2) |
10 |
3 |
8 |
12 |
-- |
33
|
| Farrington(9-3) |
8 |
11 |
9 |
16 |
-- |
44 |
KALANI -- Chloe Martin 5, Kayla Kimura 0, Brandi Yamauchi 0, Tiffany Liao 0, Iwalani Rodrigues 14, Ashlyn Onaga 2, Rhianna Farm 5, Kim Balsai 0, Jamie Higa 0, Violet Alama 7, Tiare Maafala 0, Tia Kobayashi 0.
FARRINGTON -- Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo 10, Valerie Lesu 2, Sophia Foloaunuahina 4, Lucina Otineru 16, Honour Stone 2, Natalie Mata 4, Janell Nance 6, Amanda Cadiz 0, Nicole Ardel 0, Dianna Prescott 0.
3-point goals -- Kalani 1 (Martin), Farrington 1 (Tatupu-Leopoldo).
Junior varsity -- Farrington 55, Kalani 45
No. 8 Roosevelt 66, Kalaheo 42
Three players scored in double figures for the Rough RIders, helping the squad to a convincing win over the Mustangs.
At Kalaheo H.S. gym
| Roosevelt (9-3) |
19 |
15 |
24 |
8 |
-- |
66
|
| Kalaheo (1-9) |
10 |
9 |
15 |
8 |
-- |
42 |
ROOSEVELT -- Dianna Zane 19, Tiana Sugui 22, Kathleen Nakata 1, Keely Bitanga 3, Tasia Kamakawiwoole 0, Cierra Kapea 0, Mikela Thoemmes 15, Kelcie Namba 6, Samantha Murakami 0.
KALAHEO -- Nicole Cobb 9, Hiilei Olson 4, Caira Pires 7, Hoku Malama-Custer 6, Ka'u Cale 11, Latasia Franklin 0, Rachel Kahlbaum 5, Brandi Samson 0.
3-point goals -- Roosevelt 7 (Sugui 4, Zane 2, Bitanga), Kalaheo 1 (Cobb).
Junior varsity -- Roosevelt 46, Kalaheo 43
Kaimuki 55, Kahuku 49
Bulldog Olivia Thommachanch shined in a heated matchup against the Red Raiders, helping Kaimuki to only its second win.
At Kaimuki H.S. gym
| Kahuku (3-7) |
9 |
22 |
9 |
9 |
-- |
49
|
| Kaimuki (2-10) |
9 |
21 |
13 |
12 |
-- |
55 |
KAHUKU -- Taeja Afalava 8, Alysha Cummings 6, Leilani Tafuna 0, Nile Teo 3, Lavania Latu 14, Rachel Taelele 2, Alayna Galeai 14, Adele Schwenke 0, Elizabeth Hill 2, Jessica Falemalu 0.
KAIMUKI -- Olivia Thommachanch 28, Latisha Faasoa 5, Dinishah Faasoa 7, Nina Atiga 0, Leti Nikaele 2, Pua Akaka 6, Sinead Scovil 1, Yunnis Rubrico 0, Brittney Anglin 0, Lani Nikaele 6, Sasha Tokuda 0, Brooke Borce 0.
3-point goals -- Kahuku 3 (L. Latu 2, Teo), Kaimuki 5 (Thommachanch 3, P. Akaka, L Faasoa).
Junior varsity -- Kaimuki 32, Kahuku 31
OIA WHITE GIRLS
McKinley 61, Anuenue 15
Kylie Sato scored 11 points as the Tigers routed Na Koa.
At McKinley H.S. gym
| Anuenue (1-9) |
2 |
4 |
7 |
2 |
-- |
15
|
| McKinley (11-1) |
20 |
22 |
15 |
4 |
-- |
61 |
ANUENUE -- Kenui Wahilani 2, Nalani Kamano 7, Pua Kimball-Aikau 0, Kapela Kahili 0. Hoonani Wahilani 6, Kalaiku Kaouili 0.
MCKINLEY -- Jackie Tihano 8, Juri Franzen 7, Crystal Tafai 8, Kylie Sato 11, Pearly Togiai 6, Tatiana Dinson 6, Jorina Faletoi 6, Hanna Yoo 0, Allyson Villanueva 0, Chelsea Taele 6, Jaylynn Baoit 3.
3-point goals -- Anuenue 1 (Kamano), McKinley 4 (Tihano 2, Franzen, Sato).
Kailua 28, Castle 27
Ashley Jacobs scored nine points to lead the Surfriders past the Knights.
At Kailua H.S. gym
| Castle (7-5) |
6 |
6 |
12 |
3 |
-- |
27
|
| Kailua (10-2) |
9 |
4 |
8 |
7 |
-- |
28 |
CASTLE -- Brandee Sasaki 2, Kori Berinobis 5, Nicki Kobashigawa 6, Kelsea Berinobis 3, Leisha Liilii 6, Leesha Domingo 0, Nicole Aberilla 0, Kree Espinda 1, Candy Ames 4, Ashley Ballesteros 0.
KAILUA -- Kristen Corrales 6, Tawny Kiko 2, Sola Williams 4, Zsalei Kamaka 5, Ka'u Kohatsu 0, Ashley Jacobs 9, Tia Navarro 0, Kahea Chang 2.
3-point goals -- Castle 2 (Ko. Berinobis, Ke. Berinobis), Kailua 1 (Jacobs).
Junior varsity -- Castle 42, Kailua 30
Waianae 44, Waipahu 22
The Seariders capitalized on the Marauders' offensive struggles to take an early lead and steal the victory.
At Waianae H.S. gym
| Waipahu (3-9) |
8 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
-- |
22
|
| Waianae (6-5) |
12 |
13 |
9 |
10 |
-- |
44 |
WAIPAHU -- Nomielyn Esteban 0, June Fanene 0, Andrea Felise-Laa 7, Ashley Garcia 7, Amber Javier 0, Jessica Lozano 0, Olafou Pelupelu 4, Kelcey Viliamu 4, Nahea Spencer 0.
WAIANAE -- Chaelyn Manuel 7, Alesa Ramaila 0, Emma Atiga 2, Beverly Madrid 10, Alexis Mason 8, Dynasty Ayala 4, Genevieve Cuesta 2, Shantel Buckner 11, Misha Jones 0 .
3-point goals -- Waipahu 3 (Garcia 2, Felise-Laa), Waianae none.
Junior varsity -- Waianae 27, Waipahu 26
Campbell 56, Kaiser 39
Oli Kila scored 18 points as the Sabers defeated the Cougars.
Kristin Mathewson led Kaiser with 20 points, including four 3-pointers, in the loss.
At Kaiser H.S. gym
| Campbell (11-1) |
13 |
23 |
10 |
10 |
-- |
56
|
| Kaiser (3-8) |
11 |
7 |
8 |
13 |
-- |
39 |
CAMPBELL -- Ama Lui 6, Karen Tano 0, Saphyre Eltagonde 0, Jazmin Brown 0, Amber Sanchez 0, Layna Christian 0, Ariel Medlin 2, Vai Confer 6, Aloha Dias-Kekahuna 9, Amber Kaulia 9, Shawny Vera-Cruz 1, Randi Wright 0, Kaitlynn Simmonds 5, Oli Kila 18.
KAISER -- Leandra Poole 4, Kyla Wang 3, Kristi Yakuma 4, Kristin Mathewson 20, Lisa Sniffin 6, Bailey Miller 2, Esther Choe, Nicole Jenson 0, Kelani Uti 0, Alyssa Nghiem 0.
3-point goals -- Campbell 3 (Kila, 2, Kaulia), Kaiser 4 (Mathewson) 4.
Junior varsity -- Campbell 39, Kaiser 18
