When Kalani upped the pressure to maintain the top spot in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East, Roosevelt got drowned out.
The No. 5 Falcons hit Roosevelt with a back-breaking 19-2 run fueled by a fullcourt press over the third quarter, and the No. 10 Rough Riders weren't able to recover, falling 50-37 last night at Kalani.
The crucial win gives the Falcons (8-1) some separation in the OIA Red East, where second-place Roosevelt (6-3) fell two games behind with three to play.
Coach George Weeks is trying hard to keep Kalani's expectations grounded with the OIA tournament just around the corner, calling it "just another regular-season game."
"I felt like our kids played with a lot more heart in the second half. I'm proud of the girls -- it's a good team win for them," Weeks said. "We gotta start thinking about the next one. We'll enjoy it for a night and move on."
Kalani's 6-foot-1 post players -- junior Violet Alama and senior Rhianna Farm -- combined for 32 points and 15 rebounds. The tandem played off each other well with high-low passes and movement to keep the paint open for the other, and Roosevelt was usually forced to defend each with one player as a result.
Iwalani Rodrigues, the versatile former Rough Rider forward, didn't score until late in the fourth quarter, when she converted five of six free throws to help Kalani seal the win. She was also a solid contributor in other ways, with seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block.
"We wanted to play as a team. We didn't want it to be a one-man show," said Alama, who had 18 points, a steal, a block and an assist. "We knew everyone expected Iwa with the ball. We tried to have everyone else step up."
Senior point guard Dianna Zane led the Rough Riders with 15 points, 10 coming before halftime. She added three assists, four rebounds and two steals, but no other Roosevelt player cracked double digits.
The trapping press put on by Kalani coming right out of halftime forced the ball out of Zane's capable hands in the backcourt, and while the Falcons weren't directly stripping the ball from Roosevelt's other guards, they forced speedy and unwieldy shots that failed to graze the rim several times.
"They're a good team, Dianna Zane is a great player and we were focusing on keeping the ball out of her hands, because we knew if she had it, she would score or dish it off," Alama said. "We shot the ball with no rebounders, 1-on-4, 1-on-3," Roosevelt coach Bobby Keanini said. "Their press is very effective in that sense, and give them credit for that."
At the other end of the floor, Alama put on a post clinic with two old-fashioned three-point plays, and Farm hit a sweet hook shot off the glass at the third-quarter buzzer to put the Falcons up by 14.
The pressure was applied much more successfully than in the previous meeting between the teams Dec. 22, when Roosevelt hung around at home and Zane hit two free throws with 11 seconds left to pull out a 36-35 victory -- and Kalani's only league loss thus far.
"They were more prepared and they knew what we were going to do," Zane said. "I think they were scouting us a lot. This time we weren't really expecting (the pressure). And the whole team was making free throws (13-for-15)."
In the fourth quarter, Roosevelt started showing some patience in bringing the ball upcourt. Zane converted a 3-point play and hit another free throw, and Tiyana Nakasone made a 3-pointer from the right wing to pull Roosevelt to within 37-32 with 4:55 seconds left. But that's as close as it would get, as Alama scored on a nice pass from Ashlyn Onaga, and Rodrigues started getting to the line and nailed free throws.
At Kalani H.S. gym
Roosevelt (6-3) |
9 |
12 |
2 |
14 |
-- |
37
|
Kalani (8-1) |
12 |
6 |
19 |
13 |
-- |
50 |
ROOSEVELT--Tiana Sugui 4, Dianna Zane 15, Tiyana Nakasone 6, Keely Bitanga 5, Tasia Kamakawiwo'ole 4, Jayna Tasaka 0, Mikela Thoemmes 1, Cierra Kapea 2.
KALANI--Iwalani Rodrigues 5, Rhianna Farm 14, Ashlyn Onaga 8, Violet Alama 18, Chloe Martin 5, Jamie Higa 0, Kimberly Balsai 0.
3-point goals--Roosevelt 3 (Zane, Nakasone, Bitanga). Kalani 1 (Martin).
Moanalua 48, Kalaheo 29
Britni Ronolo scored 16 points to lead Na Menehune over the Mustangs.
At Moanalua H.S. gym
Kalaheo (1-6) |
8 |
5 |
10 |
6 |
-- |
29
|
Moanalua (5-3) |
14 |
16 |
12 |
6 |
-- |
48 |
KALAHEO -- Nicole Cobb 14, Hiilei Olson 0, Kamele Perry 0, Caira Pires 8, Hoku Malama-Custer 0, Angela Wozniak 2, Ka'u Cale 0, Kourtni Thomas 0, Latasia Franklin 2, Rachel Kahlbaum 3.
MOANALUA -- Briana Dacascos 0, Michelle Hardy 2, Britni Ronolo 16, Indah Widyakusma 6, Joanna Nichols 2, Justine Aquas 2, A.J. Verdida 3, Hoku Dela-Cruz 7, Amanda Selvey 0, Janelle Uncango 1, Qwineysha Wheeler 9.
3-point goals -- Kalaheo 1 (Kahlbaum), Moanalua 2 (Dela-Cruz, Wheeler).
Junior varsity -- Kalaheo 53, Moanalua 44
No. 9 Farrington 62, Kaimuki 42
Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo scored 16 points to lead the Govs over the Bulldogs. For Kaimuki, Olivia Thommachanch hit four 3-pointers and had a game-high 23 points in the loss.
At Farrington H.S. gym
Kaimuki (0-8) |
6 |
8 |
15 |
13 |
-- |
42
|
Farrington (6-2) |
15 |
20 |
12 |
15 |
-- |
62 |
KAIMUKI-- Olivia Thommachanch 23 , Latisha Faasoa 0, Dinishah Faasoa 5, Lati Nikaele 0, Yunnie Rubrieo 2, Brittney Anglin 6 , Lani Nikaele 2 , Sasha Tokuda 4, Brooke Borce 0.
FARRINGTON--Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo 16, Valerie Lesu 5, Lucina Otineru 14, Honour Stone 6, Natalie Mata 11, Janell Nance 6, Amanda Cadiz 0, Nicole Argel 4, Precious maave 0.
3-point goals--Kaimuki 4 (Thommachanch 4), Farrington 5 ( Mata 3, Lesu, Tatupu-Leopoldo).
Junior varsity--Farrington 47, Kaimuki 39
OIA RED WEST
No. 3 Radford 53, Kapolei 25
Ta Nitra Byrd hit for 14 points and Bui Baravilala added 12 in the Rams' rout of the Hurricanes.
At Radford H.S. gym
Kapolei (3-6) |
1 |
6 |
4 |
14 |
-- |
25
|
Radford (9-0) |
23 |
9 |
8 |
13 |
-- |
53 |
KAPOLEI -- Loeleina Lapina 3, Danniel Tapat 2, Victoria Afoa 0, Leilani Tuani-Fifitia 6, Charlei Jackson 0, Jessica Cone 0, Tahnee Foki 7, Ashley Dela-Cruz 3, Rhilee Soriano 2, Cherece Byer 0, Jay Abbonbanza 0, Carmen Lalau 2.
RADFORD -- Melanie Alofaituli 0, Itali Lindsey 2, Bui Baravilala 12, Antionette Carradine 3, Disa Brown 0, Marlena Malepeai 6, Brittini Fuller 5, Chelsea-Ann Villanueva 6, Marsharen Dupont 4, Jasmine Mailo 1, Ta Nitra Byrd 14, Ja'kira Leggett 0.
3-point goals -- Kapolei 3 (Lapina, Dela-Cruz, Foki), Radford none.
Junior varsity -- Kapolei 38, Radford 25
Aiea 51, Pearl City 35
Capri Holiona scored 12 points and Natasha Fong added 10 to lead Na Alii over the Chargers.
At Pearl City H.S. gym
Aiea (6-2) |
8 |
19 |
11 |
13 |
-- |
51
|
Pearl City (3-5) |
6 |
11 |
7 |
11 |
-- |
35 |
AIEA -- Piilani Boner-Lee 0, Ashlei Liilii 0, Natasha Helsham 8, Natasha Fong 10, Danielle Grace 2, Crystal Tagudin 0, Rayne Strom-Okimoto 0, Maria Holtzman 0, Shayla Kuehu 6, Emily Tausaga 5, Capri Holiona 12, Jennifer Yuen 3, Carol Sio 5.
PEARL CITY -- Glacen Florita 0, Kasie Kunishima 0, Kalei Adams 10, Ariel Komomua 3, Jordan Ahakuelo 2, Sanoe Aina 0, Patricia Langi 13, Markeshia Manning 2, Kaiona Auyong 3, Seanelle Esperanza 2, Ariel Rivera 0.
3-point goals -- Aiea none, Pearl City none.
Junior varsity -- Pearl City 37, Aiea 33
OIA WHITE
Castle 30, Waialua 28
The Knights, led by Leisha Liilii's eight points, had just enough to edge the Bulldogs.
At Castle H.S. gym
Waialua (4-5) |
10 |
6 |
10 |
2 |
-- |
28
|
Castle (6-3) |
7 |
10 |
7 |
6 |
-- |
30 |
WAIALUA--Klleirr Tuyay 6, Shiree Dela Cruz 0, Meyerowitz 6, Crystalyn Moniz 0., Brittney Basilio 2, Angela Whittaker 8, Salvie Alsanta 2, Savannah Ash 0 , Hoku Ho 4 .
CASTLE--Brandee Sasaki 2 , Kori Berinobis 5 , Nicki Kobashigawa 5 , Kelsea Berinobis 4, Leisha Liilii 8 , Leesha Domingo 4 , Nicole Aberilla 0 , Kree Espinda 0, Candy Ames 2.
3-point goals -- Waialua None, Castle 2 (Berinobis, Kobashigawa).
Campbell 45, Waipahu 21
Aloha Dias-Kekahuna scored 12 of her 14 points in the first half to lead the Sabers past the Marauders.
At Campbell H.S. gym
Waipahu (1-8) |
4 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
-- |
21
|
Campbell (9-0) |
14 |
10 |
11 |
10 |
-- |
45 |
WAIPAHU -- Brendalyn Brub 2, Lilyan Donley 9, Nomielyn Esteban 0, June Fanene 1, Ashley Garcia 0, Amber Javier 0, Jessica Lozano 3, Olafou Pelupelu 6, Kelcey Viliamu 0, Mahea Spencer 0.
CAMPBELL -- Ama Lui 4, Karen Tano 3, Saphyre Eltagonde 4, Jazmin Brown 0, Amber Sanchez 0, Layna Christian 2, Ariel Medlin 6, Vai Confer 2, Aloha Dias-Kekahuna 14, Amber Kaulia 4, Shawny Vera-Cruz 0, Randi Wright 0, Kaitlynn Simmonds 6.
3-point goals -- Waipahu none, Campbell none.
Junior varsity -- Campbell 32, Waipahu 22
McKinley 67, Kaiser 31
Kylie Sato scored 18 points and Jackie Tihano added 13 in the Tigers' win over the Cougars.
At McKinley H.S. gym
Kaiser (2-6) |
9 |
8 |
9 |
5 |
-- |
31
|
McKinley (8-1) |
11 |
14 |
19 |
23 |
-- |
67 |
KAISER -- Leandra Poole 2, Annie Yang 0, Kyla Wang 0, Kristi Yakuma 6, Kristin Mathewson 12, Lisa Sniffin 1, Bailey Miller 4, Kelani Uti 4, Alyssa Nghiem 2.
MCKINLEY -- Jackie Tihano 13, Juri Franzen 2, Crystal Tafai 6, Kylie Sato 18, Pearly Togiai 7, Tatiana Dinson 2, Jorina Faletoi 2, Hanna Yoo 0, Allyson Villanueva 8, Chelsea Taele 9, Jaylynn Baoit 0.
3-point goals -- Kaiser 1 (Matthewson), McKinley 5 (Tihano 2, Sato, Togiai, Villanueva).
Junior varsity -- McKinley 41, Kaiser 25
Nanakuli 44, Leilehua 34
Sasha Montez drained three treys en route to 22 points, leading the Golden Hawks over the Mules.
At Nanakuli H.S. gym
Leilehua (0-9) |
6 |
7 |
5 |
16 |
-- |
34
|
Nanakuli (5-4) |
12 |
7 |
14 |
11 |
-- |
44 |
LEILEHUA -- Ciara Paracuelles 4, Ashley Gonzales 13, Patricia Lindo 6, Ja'Lon Mason 2, Lei Paikai 2, Claudia Veikune 0, Tatiana Tautau 1, Chelsey Fontes 2, Vanessa Bocobo 0, Mariyah Tamaalemalo 0, Michelle Fletcher 4.
NANAKULI -- Hazen McShane 5, Violet Mau 2, Sasha Montez 22, Britney Wolf 8, Camil Keawe 1, Kelsi Noa 0, Nana Kakiva 0, Potesia Toli 0, Grace Brack-Werner 2, Stephanie Kalili 0, Sheila Argayoso 4, Kristi Rosa 0.
3-point goals -- Leilehua 2 (Lindo 2), Nanakuli 3 (Montez 3).
Junior varsity -- Leilehua 52, Nanakuli 14
Kailua 55, Thompson 21
Sola Williams' 10 points led the Surfriders past the Sharks.
At Kailua H.S. gym
Kailua (7-2) |
23 |
16 |
6 |
10 |
-- |
55
|
Thompson (0-9) |
2 |
4 |
7 |
8 |
-- |
21 |
KAILUA -- Kristen Corrales 7, Tawny Kiko 4, Sola Williams 10, Aui Williams 6, Zsalei Kamaka 8, Ashley Jacobs 8, Tia Navarro 2, Kahea Chang 4, Shantel Johnson 6.
THOMPSON -- Justell Arthur 14, Thatyana Vasquez 2, Jessica Pruss 0, Taryn Pacewicz 3, Racquel Vasquez 2.
3-point goals -- Kailua 1 (Corrales), Thompson none.
Waianae vs. Anuenue, ppd.
The game between the Seariders and Na Koa in Waianae was postponed due to traffic and will be rescheduled.
ILH DIVISION I
No. 8 Kamehameha 50, Sacred Hearts 41
Casey Lum had 11 points to lead the Warriors over the Lancers.
At Kekuhaupio Gym
Sacred Hearts (3-5) |
12 |
5 |
9 |
15 |
-- |
41
|
Kamehameha (1-6) |
9 |
15 |
11 |
15 |
-- |
50 |
SACRED HEARTS--Rayna Munos 0, Kamri Lin 6, Ashley Ordenstein 12, Maya Clark 6, Lindsey Bareng 1, Raecha-Ann Kauahikaua 5, Charnelle Pires 6, Kuhina Luis 5, Naihe Paikai 0.
KAMEHAMEHA--Alexis Furtado 9, Zayne Apiki 2, Pomai Kalakau 0, Shaleese Javillo 7, Lindsey Wong 4, Tiana Abbley 8, Rhani Kaneaiakala 9, Mara Mukai 0, Kylie Roy 0, Casey Lum 11.
3-point goals -- Sacred Hearts 6 (Clark 2, Ordenstein 2, Pires 2), Kamehameha 2 (Furtado, Javillo).
No. 1 Iolani 52, Mid-Pacific 40
Jaime Smith scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Raiders past the Owls.
At Mid-Pacific Gym
Iolani (6-1) |
15 |
10 |
14 |
13 |
-- |
52
|
Mid-Pacifc (2-6) |
12 |
7 |
7 |
14 |
-- |
40 |
IOLANI--Elysse Tom 0, Tami Konishi 5, Kylie Ahlo 9, Lahela Usui 0, Lori Yamashita 0, Chanel Hirata 7, Dayna Jandoe 8, Jamie Smith 23, Raechele Takara 0, Shauni Watanabe 0.
MID PACIFIC--Paige Young 5, Ashley Yamachika 9, Johnelle Kapua 16, Shanon Nishimura 0, Kelli Shibata 0, Alyssa Kau 0, Jordan Kealoha 3, Keaton McFadden 1, Jenna Savusa 6.
3-point goals--Iolani 5 (Konishi 1, Hirata 1, Jandoc 2, Smith 1), Mid-Pacific 4 (Young 1, Yamachika 1, Kapua 1, Kealoha 1)
Also
ILH Division I-AA varsity girls
Kamehameha 67, Iolani 29