GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Moanalua's Jade Miller went to the hoop against Marquesha McVea of Leilehua last night.

Menehunes send
Mules home

Once again, the East is dominating the Oahu Interscholastic Association girls basketball playoffs.

Moanalua, the sixth seed from the East Division, rolled to a 65-41 win over Leilehua last night to advance to the quarterfinals.

In an earlier game at Leilehua, Farrington topped Mililani.

Leilehua, the West Division's third seed, never got untracked against Moanalua's persistent man-to-man defense. The visiting Menehunes used a balanced scoring attack to advance. Britni Ronolo led the way with 17 points, while Terina Blue added 13 and senior Ronni Keliihoomalu managed 11. Point guard Jaimie Ronolo controlled the tempo against Leilehua's defensive pressure and finished with nine points.

"We knew Leilehua would run a zone, and I felt comfortable about putting pressure on them," Moanalua coach Rick Gonsalves said. "The key for us is staying out of foul trouble. Ronni, Jade (Miller) and Jamie were key for us tonight."

Moanalua, 2-10 in East play, will battle Kahuku tonight in quarterfinal action at Kapolei. Quarterfinal winners earn state tournament berths.

"We've progressed over the year and we're clicking now," said Keliihoomalu, one of the few seniors on the squad. "We know each other's tendencies. To beat Kahuku, we have to cut down on our turnovers and have a lot of assists."

The Menehunes lost to Kahuku by margins of 23 and 34 points during the regular season. "They're extremely talented, athletic, long, well-coached and disciplined," Gonsalves said. "We're happy to make the playoffs, really, and move on."

Mahela Punley led Leilehua (12-10) with nine points.

"It just wasn't our night. Moanalua played harder than us. They wanted it more," Mules coach Elroy Dumlao said.

The Menehunes barely qualified for the playoffs, but showed why the East has dominated the West in recent years. They roared to a 20-8 lead on the Lady Mules, who stayed within 10 in the third quarter.

After that, Moanalua dominated as Leilehua struggled from the free-throw line.

"A lot of us are young, but they stepped it up when they needed to," Keliihoomalu said.

Leilehua, which was 7-5 in OIA West play, will return a number of key players next season. "I told 'em, keep your heads up. Hopefully, this makes them hungry," Dumlao said.

Two of the key returnees will be forward Brittaney Stafford and 6-foot center Marquesha McVea. "We'll have summer league, and hopefully that keeps us tight."

At Leilehua H.S. gym

Moanalua (3-10)	20	10	13	22	--	65
Leilehua (7-6)	8	12	7	14	--	41

MOANALUA--Brianna Lagat-Ramos 0, Kimberly Sato 0, Jaimie Ronolo 9, Indah Widyakusuma 2, Terina Blue 13, Ronni Keliihoomalu 11, Traci Yoshikawa 2, Jade Miller 11, Britni Ronolo 17.
LEILEHUA--Mahela Punley 9, Ui Forgione 2, Ethel Redor 0, Charlene Borromeo 8, Trisha Reitz 4, Brittaney Stafford 7, Isis Atualevao 3, Jaslen Collado 1, Marquesha McVea 7, Joray Nacapuy 0.
3-point goals -- Moanalua 1 (Miller), Leilehua 3 (Borromeo 2, Stafford).

Farrington 38, Mililani 21

Bryanna Tatupu-Leopoldo scored a game-high 12 points as the Governors opened up a 13-point halftime lead in defeating the Trojans to move into the quarterfinals of the OIA Division I playoffs.

At Leilehua H.S. gym

Mililani (4-9)	4	6	6	5	--	21
Farrington (6-7)	11	12	7	8	--	38

MILILANI--Kimi Ebina 0, Kelsie Woodward 4, Ally Ochoa 0, Christina Korodan 4, Rayna Downey 2, Ulu Ahsam 0, Lori Nonies 0, Ashley Anthony 3, Joleen Realin 6, Chelcey Pang 0, Elsa Apo 0, Ashley Payne 0, Makani Duyahlonsod 2, Diamond Badajos 0.
FARRINGTON--C'ani Kealoha 8, Sandy Valdez 0, Tanya Sale 10, Shirlynn Tambua 0, Kalani Alatasi 1, Joanna Montero 4, Kapio Alatasi 3, Kirstyn Vaa 0, Bryanna Tatupu-Leopoldo 12, Janine Sablan 0, Polohiva Folaumahina 0, Amelia Manu 0, Dejanira Bryce 0.
3-point goals -- Mililani 1 (Korodan), Farrington 1 (Kealoha).