Rough Riders get first title since ’82

They stayed healthy, learned from history, and now the Roosevelt Rough Riders are the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Division champions.

Tati Beasley and Iwalani Rodrigues combined for 28 points and 23 rebounds as No. 3-ranked Roosevelt overpowered Kalaheo 52-33 last night at McKinley Student Council Gym.

Roosevelt (14-1) captured its second league championship in girls basketball. The first came in 1982 under Peter Haliniak.

"It's all about teamwork and nobody being selfish," said Beasley, who finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Rough Riders. "We had to take care of business and play through the hard times."

The Rough Riders secured the OIA's top berth in the state tourney, as well as a first-round bye.

"We still have a ways to go, goals to fulfill," coach Bobby Keanini said. "Tonight, we had the jitters for the whole game. We didn't shoot well, but our rebounding kept us in the game."

Roosevelt shot 19-for-55 from the field, including 3-for-18 from the 3-point arc, but committed only nine turnovers.

Kalaheo (11-4) claimed the OIA's second state berth.

"We didn't play with enough consistency. Roosevelt is too good of an offensive team for us not to be consistent and win," Lady Mustangs coach Chico Furtado said.

After a loss to Kalaheo on March 28, the Rough Riders learned valuable lessons. Though they stayed in a 2-3 zone most of the way, the Rough Riders swarmed and challenged Kalaheo's primary scorers, Shanadee Canon and Kendra Fischer, all night.

Canon finished with just three points on 1-for-7 shooting. Fischer tallied six points on 2-for-6 accuracy.

"They did a good job of taking away the people that hurt them before," Furtado said.

Roosevelt's wide zone left the middle open, and Kaliko Kepa led the Lady Mustangs with 15 points and six rebounds. No other Mustang scored in double figures, however.

In addition, Roosevelt ruled the boards with a 39-30 edge. Seven of Beasley's boards were on the offensive glass.

Rodrigues, a 5-8 sophomore, had 11 points and 11 caroms, while Tiana Sugui added 10 points. Shannon Miyashiro, plagued by foul trouble, finished with nine points and seven rebounds.

"We needed to be productive on the boards. Tati, Iwa hurt us, but we got what we wanted with Shannon on the bench," Furtado said.

Rodrigues, one of the hustling perimeter defenders, stepped up her defense along with her teammates.

"We made sure to watch Shan and Kendra," she said.

Roosevelt, which struggled with injuries early in the season, opened a 28-12 lead early in the third quarter thanks to Sugui's work in transition.

Kalaheo chipped away and pulled within 32-26 after Kepa drove for two quick buckets and Hoku Kaiu-Denning banked in a 12-footer.

"Then we turned the ball over three times in a row," Furtado said.

Roosevelt answered with a decisive 11-4 run. Beasley scored five points and Rodrigues capped it with a putback to give the Rough Riders a 43-30 lead with 4:59 to play.

Kalaheo got no closer than 12 the rest of the way, but Furtado was still all smiles after the game.

"I'm very proud of our team. This team has accomplished more from start to finish than any team I've had," he said.

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OIA RED THIRD-PLACE GAME

No. 7 Kahuku 42, Radford 36

Artevia Wily scored 16 points as the Red Raiders defeated the Rams for third place in the OIA Red playoffs.

Marlena Malepeai led Radford with a game-high 17 points

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