CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Punahou's Shanna-Lei Dacanay drove past a Kalaheo player yesterday at the Lady Mustang Classic.

Dacanay dynamic
as Punahou rolls

CORRECTION Monday, March 14, 2005 » The Kahuku girls basketball team defeated Radford 33-29 on Saturday night, not 44-29 as was reported on Page B14 in yesterday's Star-Bulletin. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.

Depth is a luxury, but playmakers are a must.

Behind the floor leadership of Shanna-Lei Dacanay, Punahou rolled over Kalaheo 49-39 last night to capture the Lady Mustang Classic championship.

Dacanay, the tournament's Most Valuable Player, scored 15 points, dished out five assists and had four steals to lead a determined Buffanblu effort. Shawna Kuehu, a 5-foot-9 freshman, scored nine points and was also named to the all-tournament team. Defensive stopper Christine Takara added eight points and Sophie Merrifield led Punahou on the boards with seven caroms.

Ranked No. 1 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10, Punahou (9-1) will have two weeks of practice before opening Interscholastic League of Honolulu play. Playing their seventh game in 10 days, the Buffanblu still managed to harass Kalaheo into 21 turnovers.

"We had good defensive intensity in spots. We took care of the ball on offense and made things happen," Punahou coach Mike Taylor said.

Dacanay, one of four Punahou seniors, certainly gained the benefit of more rest as her teammates off the bench came through all tournament long. Now, the defending ILH champions can hit the practice gym.

"We've learned a lot about what we have to work on," Dacanay added. "Just the little things like running our offense. We need to fine-tune things. This tournament showed us what we can do defensively to other teams."

Taylor agreed.

"It's great. We'll have 10 practices coming up. We'll really have a chance to break teams down."

Dacanay and Kuehu were joined on the all-tournament team by Keisha Kanekoa of Honokaa, Alana Matayoshi of Iolani and Taylor Smith of Kalaheo.

Smith led sixth-ranked Kalaheo (7-4) with 12 points. Shanadee Canon added 10.

Turnovers plagued the Lady Mustangs from the start. They committed nine against Punahou's full-court man pressure, and the Buffanblu took a 12-5 lead into the second quarter. Smith's foul problems were key. The 5-10 senior committed her second personal just 51 seconds into the contest.

Kalaheo tried to neutralize Punahou's strength in the low post by sticking with a 2-3 zone from the start. Punahou patiently attacked, but it was the Buffanblu defense that came up with transition baskets. Shaena Kuehu, Shawna's twin sister, scored on a three-point play off a feed from Mahina Macfarlane, and Takara turned a steal into another layup as Punahou took a 21-10 lead before the half.

Kalaheo had 14 turnovers by intermission. The Lady Mustangs also missed all six of their free-throw attempts in the second quarter, including the front end of two 1-and-1 opportunities.

A pair of Punahou turnovers early in the third quarter helped Kalaheo make a run. Smith scored on a pair of inside plays, including a spin move in the lane, as the Lady Mustangs pulled within 23-17. However, Punahou got instant offense from Dacanay.

The 5-3 senior took a short rest and returned to hit back-to-back 3-pointers off feeds from Takara. After Macfarlane drained a trey from the right corner and Dacanay drove through the paint for another basket, Punahou led 34-17 late in the third quarter.

No. 9 Iolani 35, No. 7 Honokaa 28

Chanel Hirata led a balanced Raider attack with seven points and Iolani (5-4) claimed third place in the tourney.

Kari Heers led Honokaa (7-2) with nine points. Jerrika Lorenzo and Keisha Kanekoa added eight points apiece.

No. 3 Kahuku 44, Radford 29

For a second day in a row, the Lady Raiders escaped an upset bid by an unranked squad. Aisha Ale scored 13 points as Kahuku (6-2) won the fifth-place game.

Tereva Moore, a 5-foot-9 junior, led the Lady Rams (7-4) with nine points.

Roosevelt 44, Pearl City 43, OT

Dianna Zane hit a jumper from the foul line with 8 seconds left to lift the Rough Riders over the Chargers. After a Pearl City turnover and a missed shot by Roosevelt, the Lady Chargers had one last possession.

Jazmin Pahukoa-Malia, whose free throw with 3 seconds left in regulation forced overtime, barely missed on a 45-footer from the sideline.

Noelle Kawelo led Roosevelt (7-5) with 13 points. Chelsie Kadota added 10.

Pahukoa-Malia tallied 12 points and Channette Nakama added 11 for Pearl City.