[ HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL ]
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Radford's Lia Mickey fought Kapolei's Leafa Vagatai for the ball during last night's game at Kapolei. The Rams remained undefeated and earned the West's top seed in the OIA tourney.
Rams continue run with
rout of Hurricanes
Radford kept its status as the only unbeaten team in Oahu Interscholastic Association girls basketball last night by rolling over Kapolei 52-27.
The Rams (9-0) also locked up the West Division's top seed in the league's upcoming championship tournament.
It all came down to the Hurricanes' inability to successfully break Radford's constant pressure.
"That's our trademark," Rams coach David Lane said. "We play a pressure defense. The seniors and others who make up the veteran group have been doing it for a long time."
Lia Mickey's five first-quarter points paced the Rams to an early 13-5 lead. Post Tereva Moore made her presence felt in the second quarter when she scored six of her 12 points as Radford pulled ahead 27-16 at the half.
Rams guard Jenna Johnson-Endo, a defensive spark plug all night, scored a team-high 15 points with a mix of fast-break layups and medium-range jumpers.
"We were trying to keep Moore off the ball," said Hurricanes coach Jesse Baugh, whose team dropped to 6-3. "We thought maybe their other players wouldn't hit their shots, but they did. Our girls lost focus and were trying to do too much instead of what we worked on."
Kapolei center Jerrell Taituave, who had a team-high eight points, expected a closer game.
"We could have done way better," she said. "The coach had us prepared for this game more than any other."
The Hurricanes showed some resilience early on. Shanna Arthur's jumper and Gabrielle Tabios' rebound hoop made it a 13-9 game early in the second quarter. With 1:10 left in the opening half, Kayla Kam hit a 3-pointer to trim a 10-point deficit to seven, 23-16.
Joanne Czumalowski, who suffered a leg injury but will be ready for the Rams' regular-season finale Thursday at Nanakuli, nailed a trey to start Radford's 7-2 run early in the third as the lead grew to 34-18.
The Rams built a 41-26 lead midway through the fourth and went on to hit five of six free throws, including three by Johnson-Endo, to keep Kapolei down.
"We found it in ourselves to step it up," Johnson-Endo said. "There isn't anyone on this team who thinks (being undefeated) is a big thing. We're going with the flow and not overly excited."
"It wasn't easy," added Radford's Moore, who is only a sophomore. "We're trying to prepare for the playoffs, so we needed to play together with great communication. We knew they (the Hurricanes) were coming after us, because they needed this game."
After the Nanakuli game, Lane and the rest of the Rams will be looking at the playoffs as a one-game season.
"We win the first one and we go to states," he said. "Lose and we go home."
Home is a hard thing to define for Radford this season. All nine games have been on the road because of flood damage to the school's gym floor.
Lane said there's a chance the gym will be ready for the playoff opener.
The Hurricanes are fighting for their playoff lives. They host Campbell next Wednesday in a crucial finale. The Hurricanes and Sabers are battling Leilehua, Pearl City and Mililani for the final three OIA West Division I postseason spots.
At Kapolei H.S. gym
Radford (9-0) 13 14 10 15 -- 52 Kapolei (6-3) 5 11 6 5 -- 27 RADFORD--Joanne Czumalowski 3, Sonya Legaspi 0, Nicole Grebe 0, Jenna Johnson-Endo 15, Ashley Rioux 4, Shanice Young 7, Leslie Lazo 0, Tereva Moore 12, Lia Mickey 7, Michelle Winebush 2, Filimaua Manuma 0, Punipuao Kavika 2.
KAPOLEI--Tahsa Faumuina 0, Raelynn Reyes 0, Kamaile Kelekolio 0, Tanya Menino 2, Shauntay Leutu 7, Kayla Kam 6, Gabrielle Tabios 2, Jerrell Taituave 8, Shanna Arthur 2, Pamela Mellinger 0, Leafa Vagatai 0.
3-point goals--Radford 1 (Mickey), Kapolei 1 (Kam)
Junior varsity--Kapolei 43, Radford 21
Aiea 46, Nanakuli 44: Nicole Takemoto scored 19 points and Zori Drew added 10 as Na Alii squeaked by with a one-point win over the Golden Hawks.
Down by seven at the half, Aiea surged ahead with an 11-point third quarter and hit some crucial free throws down the stretch to hold out for the win.
Sierra Nakea led Nanakuli scoring with 14, including one from 3-point range.
At Aiea H.S. gym
Nanakuli (3-6) 5 13 8 18 -- 44 Aiea (2-7) 15 6 11 14 -- 46 NANAKULI--Kanani Kaimi 0, Kristen Serrano 2, Kaena Apana 11, Vernadine Vickers 7, Chalcedony Silva 4, Anja Nahalea 0, Lahela Kanagusuku 0, Sierra Nakea 14, Theodora Auwae 0, Sasha Kanahele 4, Victoria Mao 2.
AIEA--Kim Elia 0, Shareyn Muneoka 2, Donna Echalas 4, Shannon Nahoopii 0, Tiffany Pearson 0, Sherylann Miyashiro 0, Nicole Takemoto 19, Michelle Shiroma 0, Cheri Gauer 0, Felisha Liilii 0, Zori Drew 10, Kalei Castillo 4, Jamie Rosario 7.
3-point goals -- Nanakuli 5 (Serrano 2, Vickers 2, Nakea), Aiea 1 (Echalas).
Junior varsity -- Nanakuli 35, Aiea 17
OIA East
Farrington 50, Roosevelt 47: Coming off a huge win against Kahuku earlier this week, the Rough Riders lost a close one to the Governors.Farrington's Joanna Montero scored 15 of her 21 points, and hit four of her six 3-pointers, in the first half alone, leading both teams in scoring. Sunshine Misa-Uli added 14 points.
Roosevelt kept pace throughout behind the scoring of Chelsie Kadota and Shannon Miyashiro, who each scored 12 points apiece.
At Roosevelt H.S. gym
Farrington (6-4) 15 12 8 15 -- 50 Roosevelt (7-3) 10 16 10 11 -- 47 FARRINGTON--Joanna Montero 21, Rachael Ancheta 0, Audrina Esera 0, Tanya Sale 2, Shirlyn Tamboa 6, Sandy Tauta 2, Hope Pomele 2, Kirstyn Vaa 3, Sunshine Misa-Uli 14.
ROOSEVELT--Tati Beasley 8, Chelsie Kadota 12, Dasha Kawakami 2, Larisa Nakasone 2, Nicole Yoshimoto 0, Shannon Miyashiro 12, Dara Kiyuna 0, Nicole Okada 7, Miya Frank 4.
3-point goals -- Farrington 6 (Montero 6), Roosevelt 3 (Kadota 3).
Junior varsity -- Farrington 51, Roosevelt 32
Kahuku 56, Castle 22: Latoya Wily scored 21 points as the Red Raiders routed the Knights.
After a close first half, Kahuku outscored Castle 14-7 to seal the game.
Tiare Kahoekapu scored seven points to lead Castle.
At Kahuku H.S. gym
Castle (3-7) 8 7 2 5 -- 22 Kahuku (9-1) 9 14 14 19 -- 56 CASTLE--Audrey Ako 0, Kalei Akaka 2, Shardae Ingano 2, Kellsie Sasaki 5, Annie Garrett 0, Betty Argue 0, Uilani Kekauoha 0, Stacy Tilton 0, Tiare Kahoekapu 7, Puna Waiolama 5, Sarah Kodama 1, Shanyn Fafard-Kaaihue 0, Titi Kawainui 0.
KAHUKU--Karla Tailele 6, Camilla Ah-Hoy 9, Monarisa Ale 8, Tina Soliai 3, Anny Soliai 2, Latoya Wily 21, Aisha Ale 4, Nancy Vave 3, Ane Vea 0, Delicia Wilson 0.
3-point goals -- Castle 2 (Sasaki, Waiolama), Kahuku 2 (Ah-Hoy, Ale).
Junior varsity -- Kahuku 37, Castle 20
McKinley 55, Kalani 38: Bre Carson scored 28 points as the Tigers defeated the Falcons.
Carson went 14-for-19 from the free-throw line, while her team converted 24 of 34.
Tamari Miyashiro led Kalani with 10 points.
At Kalani H.S. gym
McKinley (6-3) 13 16 5 21 -- 55 Kalani (3-7) 10 10 6 12 -- 38 McKINLEY--Chantal Yadao 6, Chelsie Sato 7, Cassie Oda 0, Christine Ching 0, Meagan Miyasaka 7, Melody Ababa 2, Bre Carson 28, Janine Corpuz 3, Linda Fowler 2.
KALANI--Richline Batoon 8, Liandra Bonifacio 2, Kim Cabudaya 0, Keri Hee 5, Nicole Isemoto 2, Megan Kamehiro 7, Alisa Lum 4, Tamari Miyashiro 10, Karlie Saiki 0, Kristie Saiki 0, Krista Young 0.
3-point goals -- McKinley 3 (Carson 2, Sato 1), Kalani 1 (Batoon).
Junior varsity -- Kalani 46, McKinley 31
ILH
Sacred Hearts 44, Saint Francis 41 OT: Megan Burton scored 17 points and Nicole Lehner added 10 as the Lancers defeated the Troubadours in overtime.Sacred Hearts used a 16-8 fourth-quarter run to rally from a 31-23 deficit and force overtime. In overtime, the Lancers outscored the Troubadours 5-2.
Latasha Griffin had 13 points in the loss.
At Sacred Hearts Academy Gymnasium
Saint Francis (1-9) 15 9 7 8 2 -- 41 Sacred Hearts (3-6) 10 8 5 16 5 -- 44 ST. FRANCIS--Monica Chock 7, Latasha Griffin 13, Jasmine Dulan 5, Chelsey Powell 7, Tiyana Fao 4, Siutiti Takai 5.
SACRED HEARTS--Megan Burton 17, Rebecca Debo 2, Cherie Kinoshita 0, Nicole Lehner 10, Tiare McClellan 1, Karis Moi-Simeona 3, Malia Okamura 9, Tameika Trujillo 0, Sandy Tsui 2.
3-point goals -- Saint Francis 3 (Griffin 2, Dulan 1), Sacred Hearts 0.
Varsity II playoffs
St. Andrew's 54, La Pietra 31
Leading scorers--SAP: Cassi Nakasone 17, Holly Saito 19, Cassi Nakasone 17, Lois Ornellas 10. LaP: Eliza McGuire 10.
Junior varsity I
Punahou Gold 44, St. Francis 36
Junior varsity II
Mid-Pacific 38, La Pietra 22
Sacred Hearts 35, Lutheran 21
