Mounia Nihipali's late spark gave defending state champion Kamehameha a 51-36 Interscholastic League of Honolulu basketball victory last night over host Mid-Pacific. Nihipali picks
up KamehamehaBy Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.comNihipali scored all 12 of her points in the second half, including nine in the fourth quarter, for the undefeated Warriors (5-0).
The Owls (4-1) showed they belong in the top tier of the league, keeping it close for three quarters. They trailed 21-15 at the half and 40-35 at the end of three.
That's when Nihipali got free in the paint and dominated underneath the basket.
"We got her the ball and she had some success," Warriors coach Clay Cockett said about Nihipali's performance.
Overall, Cockett wasn't pleased.
"We played a terrible game," he added. "And did some bad things. Mid-Pacific has some girls who play hard and play smart. They (the Owls) made some turnovers that helped us."
Turnovers plagued Mid-Pacific throughout the contest. The Owls also missed some easy layups.
The Warriors led 11-9 after one quarter and went on a 6-0 run for a 17-9 bulge early in the second.
Mid-Pacific's Shannon Nishi stemmed the tide with four free throws to keep it close at 17-13.
Nishi finished with 10 points.
"We didn't play four quarters," Nishi said. "We've got to show we know we're capable of playing with them. Everybody on this team has got to believe and understand that. Sometimes we look like we don't believe."
Megan Ching scored seven of her game-high 16 points in the third quarter for Kamehameha, which just couldn't shake the Owls.
"We've had some slow starts lately," Ching said. "We don't come ready. There's so much room for improvement on this team. When we find ourselves, we'll be awesome. Right now, we're still trying to figure it out."
Caroline Beddow and Sherice Ajifu had four points apiece in the third as the Owls kept it a five-point game heading into the fourth.
That's when Nihipali took over, scoring the first five points of the final period -- on a three-point play and two more free throws -- for a 40-30 lead.
"We didn't do a very good job in the first half," Nihipali said. "We had to pick it up in the second half and we did. We played our game and that's when all of our energy came out."
Mid-Pacific coach Darin Lee said turnovers and Kamehameha's post game were the killers.
"Turnovers hurt and we weren't boxing out. We didn't get four rebounds off free throws and that's eight points right there," Lee said. "It's a learning experience and hopefully it's something we can fix."
Kamehameha (5-0) 11 10 14 16 -- 51 Mid-Pacific (4-1) 9 6 15 6 -- 36 Kamehameha -- Jeneka Taeoalii 6, India Soo 2, Tiffiny Ann Shim 0, Adrianne Hee 2, Wendy Kashiwabara 5, Amber Carter 2, Tatriana Lorenzo 2, Lehua Wood 2, Mounia Nihipali 12, Megan Kanoa 2, Megan Ching 16.
Mid-pacific -- Asia Botelho 0, Sherice Ajifu 4, Noelle Enright 0, Jasmine Vieira 4, Shannon Nishi 10, Kristina Lin 0, Kelli Kajiwara 4, Leihoku Pederson 0, Danielle Mafua 0, Morgen Sullivan 3, Caroline Beddow 11.
3-point goals--Kamehameha 1 (Ching).
PUNAHOU 53, IOLANI 40
Becky Hogue scored 18 points and the Buffanblu doubled up the Raiders 12-6 in the third quarter to improve to 5-0.
At Hemmeter Fieldhouse
Iolani (3-2) 7 11 6 16 -- 40 Punahou (5-0) 8 9 12 14 -- 53 Iolani -- Jackie-Lynn Sasaki 9, Jennifer Nagamine 0, Hennasea Tokomura 4, Lana Young 6, Ginger Gravelle 12, Marci Kang 0, Alana Wall 0, Jayci Tashiro 0, Kiana Wong 5, Patricia Wong 0, Keri Oyadomori 4, Keilyn Fujioka 0, Chelsea Wong 0.
Punahou -- Rachel Kane 7, Elyse Umeda 6, Shanna Daccanay 8, Eryn Chun 0, Stacy Brossy 0, Kristen LaVine 4, Makena Hunt 2, Anuhea Macfarlane 0, Kelsey Jandoc 0, Tessa Sonobe 0, Kelly Karns 2, Christine Takara 6, Gail Matsushima 0, Becky Houge 18.
3-point goals -- Iolani 3 (Gravelle 2, Sasaki), Punahou 2 (Kane, Dacanay).
Sacred Hearts 50, St. Francis 36
Nicole Lehner scored 14 points to pace the Lancers. Lehner was 8-for-9 from the line.
At Sacred Hearts gym
St. Francis (0-5) 8 11 8 9 -- 36 Sacred Hearts (2-3) 11 14 6 19 -- 50
KALAHEO 45, KAILUA 39
OIA
Shaina Siliga drained two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Mustangs won.
Kailua (1-2) 9 6 11 13 -- 39 Kalaheo (3-0) 13 10 9 13 -- 45 Kailua -- Kalina Kama 2, Johnalynn Ilae 8, Loke Lastimosa 12, Kamaile Hughes 8, Tiare Satele 9.
Kalaheo -- Shaina Siliga 6, Jade Simmons 1, Brandi Benson 13, Malia Samson 2, Taylor Smith 20, Kaiena Huihui 3.
3-points--Kailua 5 (Ilae 2, Lastimosa 3); Kalaheo 2 (Siliga 2).
MCKINLEY 44, ROOSEVELT 14
Amber Lee scored 13 points to pace the unbeaten Tigers.
Roosevelt (1-2) 0 4 6 4 -- 14 McKinley (2-0) 6 6 12 20 -- 44 Roosevelt -- Justina Yanuaria 0, Chelsie Kadota 6, Capi Uyechi 0, Larisa Nakasona 1, Dara Kiyuma 2, Natalie Iwasaki 0, Nicole Yoshimodo 4, Erin Tagomori 0, Lahilahi Simeona 0, Nicole Okada 1, Monile Bell 0.
Mckinley -- Chantal Yadao 5, Rayna Isaki 0, Kauai Quartero 4, Kelli Fukumoto 0, Meagan Miyasaka 4, Melody Ababa 5, Bre Carson 5, Janine Corpuz 0, Noe Correia 3, Sharlee Kitaoka 1, Ceslie Maafala 4, Amber Lee 13, Tania Liufau 0.
3-point--Roosevelt 2 (Kadota, Yoshimodo); McKinley 2 (Ababa, Carson).
Junior varsity -- Roosevelt 46, McKInley 18
FARRINGTON 55, KALANI 46
Laosamoa Uli and Revelyn Cabaya combined for 24 points as the Governors beat the Falcons.
At Kalani H.S. gym
Farrington (2-1) 8 19 14 14 -- 55 Kalani (0-3) 12 8 9 17 -- 46 Farrington -- Revelyn Cabaya 12, Ellaine Bihag 1, Joanne Fernandez , Sandy Tauta 6, Racquel Rivera 0, Marrissa Keohohou 0, Paepaetele Poasa 7, Tanya Alualu 8, Meleane Mateaki 7, Laosamoa Uli 12.
Kalani -- Tamari Miyashiro 13, Alisa Lum 1, Kristy Mirahara 8, Liandia Bonifacio , Jessica Cruciana 0, Karlie Saiki , Lee Ann Shimabukuro 3, Jennifer Fuchise 0, Keri Hee 7, Richline Batoon 2, Kristie Saiki 0, Raylyn Camara 13.
Junior varsity -- Farrington 65, Kalani 60
ROOSEVELT 8, KALANI 0: Kaimi Mead pitched a no-hitter and struck out 13 yesterday in an Oahu Interscholastic Association victory over Kalani.
Baseball
Cameron Kimura powered the Rough Riders' offense by going 3-for-4 with a home run.
"He had 'em off balance and his fastball was hitting the upper 80s to low 90s," Roosevelt coach Kerry Higa said about Mead. "We were hitting the ball today and that helped him relax. I think he's pitching as well as anyone in the state right now."
At Kalani H.S.
Roosevelt (2-0) 403 010 0 -- 8 8 1 Kalani (1-1) 000 000 0 -- 0 0 0 Kaimi Mead and Kevin Fujii, Grant Hayami (6); Allen Komori, Asher Tamanaha (1), Chassis Moody (3) and Reid Pamatigan. W--Mead. L--Komori.
Leading hitters--Roos: Cameron Kimura 3-4, HR; Joshua Danz 2-3, 3 RBIs, 2b, HR; Brandon Murimoto 2-3, triple, 2b, 2 RBIs.
Junior varsity--Kalani 8, Roosevelt 1
KAILUA 11, MOANALUA 7, 9 INN.
The Surfriders banged out 15 hits and scored four runs in the top of the ninth for the victory.
At Moanalua H.S.
Kailua (2-0) 003 220 004 -- 11 15 0 Moanalua (1-1) 041 000 200 -- 7 7 3 Andrew Blomberg, Adamm Bird (6), Ryan Wallfinger (8) and Brett Tanigawa; Bronson Kamaka, Ryan Rodrigues (4), Chris Mahelona (6), Michael Kealoha (8) and Sean Medeiros. W--Kealoha. L--Wallfinger.
Leading hitters--Moan: Glenn Taijeron 2-3, 2b, HR, 3 RBIs; Dayne Dela Cruz 1-2, 2b. Kail: Shaun Sasaki 2b, 2 RBIs; Kekoa Sua 2b, RBI; Bronson Ho 2b, 3 RBIs; Derek Mailau 3-6, 2b; Rodrigues 3-5.
Junior varsity--Kailua 9, Moanalua 3
KALAHEO 10, KAISER 4
The Mustangs remained undefeated by erupting for five fifth-inning runs to break a 2-2 tie.
At Kaiser H.S.
Kalaheo (2-0) 000 250 3 -- 10 13 0 Kaiser (0-2) 020 020 0 -- 4 6 5 S. Fernandez, S. Jalusha (5), S. Harbatto (5) and J. Miking; Sean Samson, Neil Asato (5), Michael Heu (5) and Jarryd Maeda. W--Fernandez. L--Samson.
Leading hitters--Kalh: Fernandez 2b; C. Racoma 2-4, RBI, 2b; Miking 4-4, 3b, 3 RBIs; TJ Myer 2-4, 2 RBIs; Viveros 2-4, 2 RBIs, 2b. Kais: Landon Kaaua 2-3, RBI; Nao Fukuzawa 2b.
FARRINGTON 17, MCKINLEY 9
The Governors collected six hits and scored 11 runs in the seventh to wipe out a 9-6 deficit.
At McKinley H.S.
Farrington (1-0) 110 040 (11) -- 17 13 4 McKinley (0-2) 002 340 0 -- 9 8 6 Emman Bihag, Nixon Gattu (4), Royce Machado (6) and Joseph Gabrillo; Devin Okinaga, Kai Kaino (5), Reed Tamashiro (7), Jarren Hirasaki (7) and Hirasaki, Kaino (7). W--Machado. L--Kaino.
Leading hitters-- Farr: Matt Bell 2-4, 2b, 3b; Josh Badua 2-4,3b; Gabrillo 2-5, 3b; Alex Mendoza 2-3; Davin Alexander 2-5, 2b, 3b; Bihag 3b. McK: Okinaga 2-4; Devon Parkhurst 2-4.
KAHUKU 7, KAIMUKI 3
No other details available.
At Kaimuki H.S.
Kahuku (1-1) 200 032 0 -- 7 13 1 Kaimuki (0-2) 000 000 0 -- 3 6 2 Junior varsity -- Kaimuki 2, Kahuku 1
OIA West
WAIANAE 14, RADFORD 0Calvin Uyechi struck out eight batters and the Seariders scored seven runs in the fourth inning.
At Radford H.S.
Waianae (2-0) 020 75 -- 14 10 0 Radford (0-2) 000 00 -- 0 2 1 Calvin Uyechi and D. Ohelo; Matt Ryan, Adam Clyburn (4), Andrew Atmospera (4), Sunny Belcher (4) and Atmospera, Ryan (4). W--Uyechi. L--Ryan.
KAPOLEI 3, NANAKULI 2, 8 INN.
The Hurricanes' Colin Dumlao beat the Golden Hawks' Mario Bartholomew in a pitcher's duel. Dumlao earned the win with 10 strikeouts. Bartholomew fanned six. Elias Kula's sacrifice fly in the eighth gave Kapolei the win.
Kapolei (1-0) 000 011 01 -- 3 4 2 Nanakuli (0-2) 000 101 00 -- 2 6 4 Colin Dumlao and Drake Kula; Mario Bartholomew and Nathan Naehu. W--Dumlao. L--Bartholomew.
Junior varsity--Kapolei 18, Nanakuli 5
AIEA 11, WAIALUA 1
Na Alii stormed to a 6-0 first-inning lead and never looked back.
At Waialua H.S.
Aiea (2-0) 613 01 -- 11 12 1 Waialua (0-2) 000 01 -- 1 4 2 Blaze Moleta, Nelson Hao (5) and Aaron Asher, Herbert Chung (3); Jonathan Keao, Jonathan Carrano (4) and Grant Yamanouchi. W--Moleta. L--Keao.
Leading hitters--Aiea: Kepa Wong 3b, 3 RBIs; Chase Kaiuwailani 3-4, RBI; Jonny Sakurai 2-3, HR, 2 RBIs. Wail: Keao 2-2, 2b, RBI.
WAIPAHU 2, PEARL CITY 2
Pearl City scored five runs in the top of the seventh, but the runs were wiped out when the game ended by rain and the final reverted back to the 2-2 score at the end of the sixth inning.
At Waipahu H.S.
Pearl City (1-0-1) 002 000 -- 2 3 2 Waipahu (0-0-1) 000 020 -- 2 3 2 Shawn Benson and Jayson Kira; Jaryd Kiyabu and John Fauatea.
Leading hitters--Waip: Shane Jelf 2b, RBI.
Junior varsity--Pearl City 16, Waipahu.
MILILANI 4, LEILEHUA 2
Christopher Balatico outdueled Ryan Basco as the Trojans beat the Mules. Balatico allowed just four hits, struck out 11 and walked one for the win. Basco tossed a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts.
At Fred Wright Field
Mililani 020 110 0 -- 4 9 1 Leilehua 101 000 0 -- 2 4 2 Christopher Balatico, Dane Mizusawa (7) and Kamaka Crabe; Ryan Basco, Daylen Hale (6) and Ricky Paderes. W -- Balatico. L -- Basco.
Leading hitters -- Mili: Dustin Nuibe 2-4, 3b; Crabe 2-3; Jordan Mikami 3b.
BIIF
WAIAKEA 12, KOHALA 1
Waiakea 700 203 -- 12 10 1 Kohala 000 100 -- 1 3 1 Myles Ioane, Ronnie Loeffler (3), Kulea Bondallion (5) and Avery Kagawa; Cameron Kawai, Shaun Matsuo (1), Shannon Cazimero (4), Kekai Nakamura (6) and Kaipo Matthey. W -- Ioane. L -- Kawai.
Leading hitters -- Waik: David Rodrigues 2-3, 2b; Matthew Patterson 2-3, 2b, 3b, RBI; Cheynne Hirota 2b.
Hawaii School Web Sites