Hirata shoots Iolani
into states

Experience in the playoffs is crucial, but it was two freshmen that propelled Iolani into the state tournament yesterday.

Chanel Hirata hit the game-winning shot and freshman center Jamie Smith scored a game-high 15 points to lift the Raiders to a 42-41 win over Maryknoll in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu play-in game at McCabe Gym. Iolani joins Punahou as the ILH's representatives in next week's state tournament.

"It was set up for Hennasea (Tokumura) but it broke down," Iolani coach Glenn Takara said. "I don't even know what happened. Chanel made a big shot. The two freshmen played really well. We might be young, but we're not inexperienced."

That much was true as the Raiders (10-2 in league play) got clutch performances from their underclassmen. The game-winning play wasn't designed for Hirata, but she found herself with the ball, time winding down, and the Raiders' hopes of a state berth riding on her shoulders.

"I caught the ball and I was like, 'Oh my gosh'. I shot it and I prayed," Hirata said. "It's incredible. It's the best feeling ever that we're going to states."

Hirata, who was 0-for-3 from the field before the last basket, checked into the game after Takara used his final timeout. The 5-foot-4 freshman connected on an open 7-footer that slipped through the net with 3 seconds left on the clock. The basket set off a spirited crowd that included former Iolani star Derrick Low, home after his freshman year at Washington State.

"I saw Nicky (Fu) flying at me and I thought I better pass the ball," said Tokumura, who finished with 11 points. "I had confidence she would make it. It feels awesome, especially to play our way into (the state tournament)."

Early in the quarter the Raiders' chances looked bleak. Maryknoll led 37-31 with 5:52 left in the game. The Spartans spread the floor and took precious minutes off the clock.

But Maryknoll didn't capitalize on its opportunities at the line in the fourth quarter. The Spartans missed the front end of a one-and-one three times.

The momentum swung to Iolani when Smith scored on a putback and Tokumura, one of the Raiders' most prolific shooters, canned a trey at the top of the arc to cut Maryknoll's lead to 37-36.

Smith converted from the free-throw line to give the Raiders a 38-37 lead, Iolani's first of the game. Tokumura added two more free throws to put Iolani ahead 40-37.

But Maryknoll wasn't going quietly. Sela Fisilau connected on a jumper in the lane and sophomore Fu (12 points) twisted her way through Iolani's three tallest defenders to put the Spartans up 41-40 with 33 ticks left on the clock.

Then Hirata made her only basket of the game. With 2.8 seconds left, the Spartans had one last opportunity. Maryknoll heaved a pass the length of the court and Kristie Watanabe fired from the right corner. The ball bounced off the rim to end a heart-breaking loss for the Spartans.

"I'm really proud of the way our kids fought until the end," Maryknoll coach Bobby Samson said. "We didn't give up. It was just a matter of which way the ball bounces in the end."

Maryknoll lost twice to the Raiders during ILH play and yesterday's contest was similar to the teams' last meeting. In April, Maryknoll led early, but Iolani engineered a three-point comeback win.

"The sad thing is that one of us cannot go to states. We both deserve to go," Takara said. "They're a very well-coached team. It showed. It came down to the last shot. Whoever had the last shot."

At McCabe Gym

Maryknoll (7-5)	20	7	8	6	--	41
Iolani (10-2)	10	15	6	11	--	42

MARYKNOLL--Nicole Fu 12, Kristie Watanabe 0, Jessica Akamine 5, Tammie Andres 13, Bowha Kang 0, Cheryl Lee 4, Sela Fisilau 7.
IOLANI--Kaz Masutani 3, Hennasea-Sue Tokumura 11, Alana Matayoshi 6, Chanel Hirata 2, Marci Kang 0, Alana Wall 0, Jamie Smith 15, Meilin Akamu 2, Sarah Turgeon 1, Keilyn Fujioka 2.
3-point goals -- Iolani 2 (Tokumura, Masutani).