[ HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL ]
Moore lifts Radford to
32-31 win over Leilehua
How fitting it was, that Radford's defensive stopper -- ailing with a bad cold -- came up with the biggest offensive gem of the night.
Tereva Moore sank a turnaround jumper from 13 feet as time expired, lifting Radford over Leilehua 32-31 last night at Leilehua.
The win is even more valuable considering the reduction in playoff berths in the Oahu Interscholastic Association, from six to four in each division. The regular-season-opening win was a testament to Radford's perseverance. The Rams trailed by 12 points in the first half and rallied despite making just six of 19 free-throw attempts.
Moore, assigned to cover Leilehua's standout senior, Pikake Nutter-Gaudet, wasn't the first option as Radford set up for the final play with 6.1 seconds remaining. After the host Mules tipped the initial pass out of bounds, just 4.3 seconds remained.
"We told them to drive, at least get them to foul you," Radford coach David Lane said of the timeout.
The Rams looked for Lia Mickey in the corner, but she was covered. So was Jenna Johnson-Endo, who had set a screen for Mickey and faded to the basket. The ball ended up in the hands of Moore, who caught the pass at the foul line, took a couple of dribbles, turned around and lofted a soft jumper that drew rim, glass and twine at the buzzer.
"The ball went to Shanice (Young). I saw the opening and called for the ball," Moore said. "I had to focus on what coach says in practice: get my feet set, bend my knees and follow through."
Follow through she did. Moore had the presence to know that she had four seconds to work with, and she didn't rush her shot.
Moore, a 5-foot-10 sophomore co-captain, finished with nine points and led Radford's rebounding corps. Johnson-Endo, another co-captain, led the way with 11 points.
Brittaney Stafford, a freshman forward, scored 13 points before fouling out with 1:19 to play. Nutter-Gaudet finished with nine points.
"Pikake is the best player in the West," Lane said. "Tereva stepped it up on both ends of the court."
Nutter-Gaudet agreed. "She's good, really good," the two-sport standout said.
Free throws were a pivotal factor. Leilehua made eight of 14 tries, missing four in a row during the third quarter. "We missed too many free throws and turned the ball over too much," Nutter-Gaudet said.
With Nutter-Gaudet not handling the ball, Leilehua's guards struggled against Radford's defense down the stretch. "The girls gotta come through. They'll learn from it," she said. "Plus, they were denying me the ball all game."
The game was originally scheduled to be played at Radford, but the poor weather has made the hardwood unplayable, Lane said.
At Leilehua H.S. gym
Radford (1-0) 6 7 6 13 -- 32 Leilehua (0-1) 10 10 4 7 -- 31 RADFORD--Joanne Czumalowski 2, Nicole Grebe 2, Jenna Johnson-Endo 9, Ashley Rioux 0, Shanice Young 5, Leslie Lazo 0, Tereva Moore 11, Lia Mickey 2, Michelle Winebush 1, Filimaua Manuma 0.
LEILEHUA--Laree Rodrigues 9, Vanessa Ramelb 2, Mahela Punley 1, Isis Atualevau 0, Brittney Stafford 10, Heidi Hamilton 0, Marquesha McVea 0, Pikake Nutter-Gaudet 9 .
3-point goals -- Radford (Johnson-Endo), Leilehua 3 (Rodrigues 3).
Junior varsity -- Radford 42, Leilehua 28
Kapolei 33, Aiea 28: In a battle of the low scorers, the Hurricanes came out on top with a win over Na Ali'i in both teams' OIA openers last evening.
At Aiea H.S. gym
Kapolei (1-0) 6 7 12 8 -- 33 Aiea (0-1) 2 10 8 8 -- 28 KAPOLEI--Tasha Faumuina 6, Raelynn Reyes 0, Kamaile Kelekolio 0, Tanya Menino 2, Nicole Tamapua 4, Shauntay Leutu 1, Kayla Kam 8, Gabrielle Tabios 0, Jerrell Taituave 6, Shanna Arthur 2, Pamela Mellinger 2, Leafa Vagatai 2.
AIEA--Shareyn Muneoka 2, Donna Echalas 4, Shannon Nahoopii 1, Tiffany Pearson 0, Sherylann Miyashiro 0, Nicole Takemoto 7, Cheri Gauer 0, Felisha Liilii 0, Zori Drew 5, Kalei Castillo 7, Jamie Rosario 2.
3-point goals -- none.
Junior varsity -- Kapolei 64, Aiea 19
Pearl City 54, Nanakuli 24: Chargers senior forward Marci Lobendahn scored six of her game-high 20 points in the second quarter as Pearl City pulled away for a 21-12 halftime lead.
At Pearl City H.S. gym
Nanakuli (0-1) 8 4 7 5 -- 24 Pearl City (1-0) 9 12 10 23 -- 54 NANAKULI--Kanani Kaimi 0, Kaena Apana 2, Leilani Baca 2, Vernadine Vickers 2, Anja Nahalea 0, Lahela Kanagusuku 0, Sierra Nakea 4, Theodora Auwae 4, Sasha Kanahele 5, Victoria Mao 5.
PEARL CITY--Lenny Radona 0, Miki Uyeshiro 0, Kellie Nishikida 2, Desiree Blaney 5, Kamill Reigo de Dios 11, Stacy Asato 0, Mele Laulea 8, Marci Lobendahn 20, Lusia Kleinschmidt 8.
3-point goals -- Nanakuli 0, Pearl City 3 (Kamill Reigo de Dios 3).
Junior varsity -- Nanakuli 35, Pearl City 20
Campbell 47, Mililani 29: Raynette Whitfield made some key baskets to break open a close game in the third quarter as the Sabers won their opener against the Trojans.
At Mililani H.S. gym
Campbell (1-0) 7 9 17 14 -- 47 Mililani (0-1) 5 13 6 5 -- 29 CAMPBELL--Joanne Corpuz 10, Nicole Jackson 1, Latara Tano 0, Everly San Agustin 0, Shiann Leong 0, Tiani Sojot 5, Jenna Contemplo 3, Raynette Whitfield 12, Terri Feagiai 8, Chaunte Jackson 8.
MILILANI--Suzy Jackson 0, Katelyn Ho 0, Yvonne Morris 2, Ceclie Ma'afala 11, Shantell Ka'auwai 0, Kimberly Ebina 0, Lori Nonies 2, Crystal Ah Sam 0 , Ku'ulei Agbayani 1, Diamond Badajos 0, Chelcey Pang 2, Allyson Ochoa 2, Melissa Lehano 0, Christina Korodan 0, Erica James 11, Rebekah McKoy 2, Lori .
3-point goals -- Campbell (3) Chaunte 1, Jenna 1, Joanne 1; Mililani (3) James 3.
