Kahuku wins, clinches final berth in state tournament
The back door was open, and the Kahuku Red Raiders marched right in.
Jray Galeai scored 15 points as the Red Raiders overwhelmed Kapolei 73-32 last night at Thomas Walker Gym to seal a state tournament berth.
The Red Raiders were seeded second in the Red East for the Oahu Interscholastic Association tournament, but lost in the quarterfinal round at Red West third seed Mililani. From there, Kahuku defeated Kailua to reach the fifth-place game against Kapolei. The Red Raiders now have the fifth and final state berth from the OIA.
The boys state tournament tips off Wednesday. Kahuku's man-to-man defense and fullcourt traps could be lethal against teams that prefer a slower tempo.
"They've bought into defense all year," coach Nathan James said. "We've preached that all year."
In a game of spurts, Kahuku (11-4) used a swarming fullcourt press to seize control of a game that was close for more than a half. Kapolei was within 34-28 with 4:11 left in the third quarter after D'Shaun Dubois drove for back-to-back baskets.
However, Kahuku answered with a 15-0 run, triggered by Galeai's 3-pointer from the corner. Kapolei committed six turnovers against the press in the third as the home team opened a 49-28 lead and never looked back.
Willie Ching, a 6-foot-5 senior, had 11 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, and Irwin Ah-Hoy had nine points and seven assists. The Red Raiders shot 58 percent (29-for-50) from the field and outrebounded the visitors 24-13.
Foul trouble burdened the Hurricanes. Forward Mason Koa sat for much of the contest before fouling out in the fourth quarter, as did center Lawrence Olive. Dubois finished with a team-high eight points.
The 'Canes (10-5) shot 32 percent from the field (15-for-47) and wound up with 22 turnovers.
"We couldn't get a couple of calls early and got into foul trouble. When Mason got into foul trouble, that really, really hurt us," coach Gary Ellison said. "It was just one of those nights, one of our bad nights. Kahuku came out and played well."
Galeai, who was the starting quarterback on the football team, was tough in the first half with 14 of his 15 points.
"He was unreal. Kahuku is tough, big and physical, but they're quicker than most people think," Ellison said.
The press gave Kahuku a chance to use its athleticism.
"We got away from it down the stretch," James said. "But we're blessed with wonderful athletes. They realize that on our homecourt, we haven't lost all season. It was really important for our seniors. They knew this was their last game on this floor."
Kapolei opened with a 5-2 lead, but Kahuku took over with a 17-2 run. The 'Canes trailed 26-11 before rallying late in the second quarter.
Olive hustled under the board for two putbacks to spark a 9-0 run, and Kapolei trailed 28-22 with 1:06 to go in the first half.
At Thomas Walker Gym
Kapolei (10-5) |
9 |
13 |
8 |
2 |
-- |
32 |
Kahuku (11-4) |
19 |
11 |
19 |
24 |
-- |
73 |
KAPOLEI -- Larry Mero 0, Keanu Montez 6, LeShaun Stanfield 0, D'Shaun Dubois 8, Magic Halmos 2, Nathaniel Dixon 4, Jordan Ferreira 4, Jonathan Yang 0, Mason Koa 2, Po'okela McKeague 2, Lawrence Olive 4, Kody Gouveia 0.
KAHUKU -- Jack Damuni 5, Jray Galeai 15, Willie Ching 12, Galeai Malufau 0, Roger Van Ness 4, Kohl Nauahi 0, Irwin Ah-Hoy 9, Shiloah Te'o 6, Justin Afalava 4, Aulola Tonga 2, Patrick Au 8, Kona Schwenke 4, Sage Kaka 4.
3-point goals -- Kapolei 2 (Montez 2), Kahuku 3 (Galeai 3).
No. 1 Kalaheo 73, No. 10 Campbell 64
Three players scored in double digits for the Mustangs to overcome the Sabres' leading scorer, Michael Makinano, who finished with 29 points.
Kalaheo earned third place in the OIA Red and a spot in the state tournament with the win.
Kalaheo used the third quarter to extend its lead to 12.
At Kalaheo H.S. gym
Campbell (10-5) |
14 |
13 |
17 |
20 |
-- |
64 |
Kalaheo (14-1) |
15 |
17 |
24 |
17 |
-- |
73 |
CAMPBELL -- Michael Makinano 29, Joseph Atimua 7, Terence Tafai 4, Zachary Manuel 0 , Nicholas Daniels 6, Danny Mau 0, Timothy Hurd 0, Patrick Ward 7, Eddie Gaines 11, Christian Manuel 0.
KALAHEO -- Alika Kaanapu 4, Keano Bruhn 0, Taylor Jay 16, Richard Preza-Haynes 15, Bruce Andrews 3, Christian Kepa 8, Cheynne Lishman 13, Shawn Hipa 0, Aaron Fernandez 4, Giovanni Wozniak 0, D.J. Chang 4, Matt Gasparine 2, Carlos Craig 4.
3-point goals -- Campbell 5 (Makinano 3, Atimua, Gaines), Kalaheo 5 (Lishman 3, Jay, Preza-Haynes).
OIA girls
No. 7 Roosevelt 47, Aiea 40
With the score tied at halftime, Roosevelt used the final two quarters of play to outhustle Aiea and take home the seven-point victory and third place in the OIA Red.
At Roosevelt H.S. gym
Aiea (9-6) |
6 |
13 |
9 |
12 |
-- |
40 |
Roosevelt (11-4) |
12 |
7 |
18 |
10 |
-- |
47 |
AIEA--Ashlei Liilii 0, Natasha Helsham 5, Natasha Fong 5, Shayla Kuehu 5, Emily Tausaga 0, Capri Holiona 20, Jennifer Yuen 3, Carol Sio 2, Savannah Albinia-Cubal 0.
ROOSEVELT--Dianna Zane 7, Tiana Sugui 8, Kathleen Nakata 0, Jayna Tasaka 3, Tiyana Nakasone 9, Keely Bitanga 4, Tasia Kamakawiwo'ole 10, Cierra Kapea 0, Mikela Thoemmes 6, Kelcie Namba 0, Samantha Murakami 0.
3-point goals -- Aiea 4 (Holiona 2, Helsham, Fong), Roosevelt 8 (Nakasone 3, Zane 2, Sugui 2, Tasaka).
No. 10 Farrington 49, Moanalua 46
Janell Nance scored a game-high 15 points and Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo added 14 as the Governors edged Na Menehune in overtime to win fifth place in the OIA Red and the state berth that goes with it.
At Moanalua H.S. gym
Farrington (12-4) |
11 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
8 |
-- |
49 |
Moanalua (11-5) |
8 |
14 |
8 |
11 |
5 |
-- |
46 |
FARRINGTON--Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo 14, Valerie Lesu 9, Aisha Gaea 5, Honour Stone 3, Natalie Mata 3, Diana Prescott 0, Janell Nance 15, Amanda Cadiz 0.
MOANALUA -- Britni Ronolo 10, Indah Widyakusma 2, Joanna Nicolas 11, Justine Aquas 4, A.J. Verdida 0, Deena Dela Cruz 10, Amanda Selvey 0, Janelle Uncango 0, Qwineysha Wheeler 9.
3-point goals -- Farrington 6 (Tatupu-Leopoldo 2, Lesu 2, Stone, Mata), Moanalua 4 (Dela Cruz 2, Wheeler, Nicolas).
BIIF Championship
Friday
Konawaena 42, Kamehameha-Hawaii 41