JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Kalaheo's Taylor Smith drove to the basket against Iolani's Marci Kang last night at Punahou. Smith posted 15 points.

KS-Hawaii upsets
powerful Punahou

Maybe it was reverse psychology. Perhaps it was blunt cynicism.

Whatever nonbelievers said turned into motivational fuel as Kamehameha-Hawaii stunned Punahou 61-59 last night in the Punahou Wahine Spring Basketball Classic at Hemmeter Fieldhouse.

Leilani Galdones pumped in 21 points and Jamie Mattos added 19 for the Warriors (3-1).

Shanna-Lei Dacanay had 15 and Sophie Merrifield added 14 for Punahou, generally acknowledged as the top team in the state.

The game was tied at 52 with 6 minutes left when the Warriors went on a 7-2 run. Galdones scored five points during that period as KS-Hawaii took advantage of Punahou turnovers.

"They made the hustle plays and we didn't," Buffanblu coach Mike Taylor said.

Said Warriors coach Kimo Miller: "I'm just proud of them. We knew they would bring a lot of pressure, but we have a lot of girls who can read defenses."

Last season, KS-Hawaii upset Iolani 41-37 in this tourney. A year later, they have surprised a lot of their teachers back home.

"We're a year wiser," said Miller, who is a former Punahou assistant. "Amber (Spencer), our point guard, is one of the quickest in the state, and Leilani and Jamie had big games."

Mattos reveled in the win.

"Everybody was doubting us, like our teachers," Mattos said. "Just today at the hotel, a lady heard we were playing Punahou. She said, 'Ohhh, good luck.' "

The Warriors, a team of underclassmen, declared for the Division II state tourney this season. That makes this win especially memorable. "It's a highlight of our preseason," Galdones said. "We love to prove people wrong."

Punahou center Shawn Kuehu did not play due to shin splints.

Kalaheo 36, Iolani 30

Their coach can't get enough basketball and their senior standout has longed to get back on the court.

The Kalaheo Mustangs, with a healthy Taylor Smith, rolled to their fourth win without a loss last night. Smith scored 15 points as the Mustangs outlasted the Raiders.

Smith was sidelined for most of last season with a foot injury. She returned for the state tournament, but wasn't quite herself.

Coach Chico Furtado, meanwhile, just completed the boys season. He allowed himself one day off -- Monday -- before rejoining his girls squad.

"It feels good to beat Iolani. They're one of the top ILH teams," said guard Shanadee Canon, who scored 12 points.

Smith, an athletic 5-foot-10 swingman, showed no signs of hesitation.

"It feels great to be healthy," she said. "I'm excited about playing Punahou. They're a good team, and this will tell us where we are."

Konawaena 52, Mid-Pacific 36

Jessica Hanato's triple-double powered the defending state champion Wildcats over the Owls.

Hanato, a 5-foot-7 forward, had 23 points, 17 rebounds and 12 steals. The senior also had eight turnovers, but made nine of her 11 free-throw attempts.

Freshman Mana Hopkins added 12 points for Konawaena.

McKinley 61, Punahou II 42

Junior forward Linda Fowler pumped in 18 points and guard Kaitlyn Ikehara tallied 17 to lead the Lady Tigers.

Ikehara, a sophomore, is a transfer from Moanalua.

Maryknoll 48, Roosevelt 45

Tammie Andres scored 13 points and Jessica Akamine added 11 as the Spartans outlasted the Rough Riders. Maryknoll went on a 9-0 run to break a 30-all tie midway through the second half.

Tati Beasley led Roosevelt with 15 points.

Moanalua 45, St. Andrew's Priory 41

Jade Miller scored 10 points as the Menehunes fought off the Pride. Caasi Nakasone led St. Andrew's with 14 points.