StarBulletin.com

Moanalua buries tired Baldwin


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POSTED: Sunday, December 28, 2008

Marcus Monroe and Reece Racoma scored 14 points each, and Randy Starks had five of his team's 12 steals as No. 9 Moanalua overwhelmed Baldwin 54-43 last night in the quarterfinals of Na Menehune Reebok Classic.

Moanalua's mix of man-to-man and 1-3-1 zone defenses troubled the visiting Bears. Na Menehune took control with a 22-4 run in the first half.

Starks, a 5-foot-8 senior, had eight points and all five of his steals before halftime. Baldwin had 16 turnovers and trailed 30-10 at the break.

Monroe's perimeter shooting gave Baldwin's young frontcourt difficulty. The Bears were somewhat weary after playing their opening-round game in the morning after it was postponed on Friday night due to the island-wide power outage.

“;We told them to go out and play hard, not to worry about the outcome,”; Bears coach Wayne Gushiken said. “;That spread offense they have, with quick guys, was tough. The big guys were too quick for us. We had a hard time staying with them.”;

Moanalua extended the lead to 49-28 early in the fourth quarter, but the Bears battled back to within 11. Senior guard Lincoln Seto finished with 18 points on 6-for-13 shooting, including 11 in the fourth.

“;It was unfortunate,”; Moanalua coach Greg Tacon said of Baldwin's predicament. “;Playing two games in one day is tough.”;

Moanalua was effective against Baldwin's man defense, shooting 43 percent from the field (20-for-46) and 71 percent at the line (12-for-17). Baldwin attempted just six foul shots and made five.

Na Menehune will play Menlo-Atherton (Calif.) in a 6 p.m. semifinal tomorrow. Menlo-Atherton was in a slower tempo and nudged by McKinley in an earlier quarterfinal. Moanalua will keep bringing pressure.

“;We're starting to develop a personality of hustle,”; Tacon said.

 

Kaimuki 58, Irvine (Calif.) 53

Reserve guard Tevin Nishiyama, playing in place of sharpshooter Ryan Kakitani, hit three key 3-pointers to spark a Bulldogs comeback. Kaimuki trailed 22-11 before rallying.

The 'Dogs saw a 12-point second-half lead whittled down in the fourth quarter. Irvine forward Blaine Burgoyne made a trey and a layup on consecutive possessions to bring the visitors within 54-51 with 38 seconds left. Kaimuki got clutch shooting at the foul line—eight in a row by David Taulung, Desmond Tautofi and Gabriel Stietzel—to pull away.

Taulung and Tautofi led Kaimuki with 18 points each.

Nehemiah Jones scored 21 points and Alex Lambeth tallied 12 for Irvine.

 

Menlo-Atherton (Calif.) 40, McKinley 35

Men-Reed Foster scored 12 points, and Sam Knapp and Jeff Keller had 10 apiece in the Bears' win. Tana Woodard led the Tigers with 15 points.