Thursday, April 8, 1999

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
McKinley's Amber Ehia shoots as Kalaheo's Brandy Richardson
applies defensive pressure. McKinley's Ilima Ah Nee
watches the play develop.

Kalaheo wins
battle of unbeaten

Brandy Richardson scores
20 points and grabs 14 rebounds
in the Mustangs' 52-36 victory

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin

It was a case of too much Brandy Richardson and not enough depth or height for McKinley in last night's battle between the undefeated Oahu Interscholastic Association East girls' basketball powers.

Richardson, a 5-foot-10 sophomore forward for Kalaheo, scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Mustangs (5-0) to a 52-36 victory over the host Tigers (4-1). The win extended Kalaheo's division streak to 21 straight, dating back to the 1997 season-opening loss to McKinley.

"We prepared for their press and prepared to stop their 3-point shooters," said Richardson. "They had trouble matching up with our size, especially when their biggest girl (6-2 Fili Lakisa) got into foul trouble and Traci Torralva was hurt (groin pull).

"The key was breaking their press and being able to finish at the other end with a basket."

The beginning of the end came early for McKinley.

Treys by Tasha Haynes and Amber Ehia put the Tigers ahead, 11-6 with 4:33 left in the second quarter. But things fell apart over the next three minutes as Ehia, the Tigers' leading scorer, picked up her second and third fouls in less than 10 seconds and McKinley coach Jess Victorino was hit with a technical foul for arguing a questionable traveling call. The Mustangs outscored the Tigers, 13-4, in the final 143 seconds of the first half to take control for good.

"Considering we're at about 75 percent, it wasn't a bad job," said Victorino, whose team lost to Kalaheo by one point during the preseason. "We're not one to make excuses but we are not 100 percent. Kalaheo's a helluva good team and you need to be 100 percent when you play them.

"Plus, you need a level playing field. If they're going to play physical defense, we should be allowed to play physical defense. That wasn't happening."

Kalaheo		6	17	20	9--52
McKinley	2	13	10	11--36

Kalaheo: Michelle Quintana 0, Tiffany Jackson 0, Kate Mellinger 11, Brandy Richardson 20, JennConner 3, Cheyene Ringler 0, Sharon Wahinekapu 11, Natahsa Lagapa 0, Alberta Lui 0, Ilima Ah Nee 2, Marla Gladstone 0, Sherrine Kanahele 2, Nicole Furtado 0, Leilani Pao 0, Heather Gonsalves 4.

McKinley: Marlie Queja 0, Patti Ishiki 13, Terilynn Madrona 0, Amber Ehia 10, Tasha Haynes 3, Chyloh Rodrigues 0, Brianne Ching 2, Uilani Hicks 4, Deena Young 0, Briana Ioane 0, Traci Torralva 0, Pohai Lee 2, Sili Lakisa 2.

JV score--Kalaheo 32, McKinley 28

Farrington 51, Roosevelt 49

At Farrington, Darcy Reforminia's 5-foot baseline jumper with two seconds to play lifted the Governors (3-2) past the Rough Riders (2-3).

Reforminia capped a 10-point effort with her tie-breaking basket off an inbounds pass from Nicholle Mata. Roosevelt had tied the game at 49 on two free throws by Megan Fong with 25 seconds left.

Robynn Afe led the Governors in scoring with 16. Tishya Cadiente and Jodi Nakashimafinished with 16 points each for Roosevelt

Roosevelt	12	15	9	13--49
Farrington	10	11	14	16--51

Roosevelt: Rai Young 8, Karli Taniguchi 0, Tracey Kobashigawa 5, Megan Fong 2, Tishya Cadiente 16, Jodi Nakashima 16, Jamie Nakamoto 0, Sesilina Gray 2.

Farrington: Rochelle Rivera 1, Nicholle Mata 6, Cherlyn Ligot 5, Darcy Reforminia 10, Jennifer Nuesca 0, Sophia Malufau 0, Christina Stowers 8, Cynthia Filifili 2, Evelyn Uli 2, Robynn Afe 16, Lorelei Tuimaleliifano 1.

Kaimuki 35, Kailua 30

At Kailua, Jaimie Reyes scored five of her team-high 10 points in the final quarter to lead the Bulldogs (4-1) over the Surfriders (0-4).

Kaimuki		3	15	8	9--35
Kailua		8	6	8	8--30

Kaimuki: Elizabeth Otto 2, Jaimie Reyes 10, Sarah Hussey 0, Raquel Santiago 0, Tracy Nomura 0, Danica Lange 7, Wendy Mayashiro 0, Rachael Hussey 7, Tahra Hussey 6, Cheriesse Shiroma 3, Heather Pereira 0.

Kailua: Kanani Piimauna 0, Ivena Armand-Baoy 0, Vanessa Johnson 2, Charlamagne Guzman 6, Amber Smith 2, Teisa Sekona 8, Christina Kalama 2, Michelle Isa 0, Iwa Sniffen 0, Tita Lopes 10, Haunani Martin 0.

Kalani 35, Kaiser 29

At Kaiser, Ashley Takata scored nine of her game-high 15 points in the fourth quarter as the Falcons (2-3) rallied past the Cougars (1-3). Seven of Takata's fourth-quarter points came on free throws, helping Kalani pull away.

Kalani		8	4	7	16--35
Kaiser		9	6	7	7--29

Kalani: Brenda Higashimoto 6, Jamie Seo 3, Lynn Yang 5, Jovan Okamaura 2, Dawna Zane 0, Nicole Paiva 0, Ashli Kamakawiwo"ole 0, Ashley Takata 15, Jadi Segawa 4.

Kaiser: Harmoni Elliott 10, Sheri Ogata 3, Samantha Ching 2, Brooke Masutani 5, Karen Poon 0, Jasmine Yoshino 0, Tina Whittington 0, Jennifer Lee 4, Nanea Kamauoha 0, Tawny Hall 3, Lindsie Shimizu 2.

Kahuku 40, Castle 32

At Castle, Teisa Fotu and Siki Fuguguraga combined to score 17 of the Red Raiders' 23 first-half points in their victory over the Knights (2-3).

Foti and Fuguguraga each finished with 11 points for Kahuku (1-4).

Kahuku		10	13	7	10--40
Castle		4	9	7	12--32

Kahuku: Aukai Pearl 4, Teizi Sorenson 1, Angie Solai 0, Lindsey Williams 6, Betty Bethem 5, Siki Fuguguraga 11, Teisa Fotu 11, Alesi Tanaga 2, Tiare Boone 0, Pualena Enos 0.

Castle: Gayle Gumayagay 2, Ali Mao 4, Kea Yamaguchi 0, Megan Wong 5, Christina Takanishi 2, Jasmine Hillen 3, Kalei Correa 3, Shyla Santos 1, Mari Kitagawa 6, Leatrice Galicinal 2, Sheila Sarsuelo 0, Jenny Laimana 0, Nichole Uperesa 4.

3-pointers--Cast: Jasmine Hillen 1.