Sophomore Ruthie Tusi's turnaround bank shot and free throw for a three-point play with 20 seconds left lifted University to a 36-33 comeback win over host St. Andrew's last night.
"I was kind of nervous," Tusi said. "I didn't want to mess up, but I ran the play like Coach said and it worked out."
The Pride had the ball with a chance to tie, but weren't able to get the ball to sharpshooter Minna Watanabe, who led her team with 14 points. Instead, the Pride missed three shots in the paint before time expired, disappointing a boisterous home crowd at James C. Castle Gym.
"It was the same play we scored on in the first half. We didn't execute, and that comes down to being tired," Pride coach Chad Mizunaka said.
Sophomore guard Angie Yoshizu scored 16 points for University, now 7-1 in Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II. With just two games left in the regular season, the Jr. 'Bows are in position to play for a regular-season title and automatic state berth.
"This is, by far, the most intense game we've had so far because of what was in the balance," University coach Bryan Nakamura said. "We didn't have any margin for error."
The Pride (5-1) missed a chance to secure frontrunner status. St. Andrew's, University and St. Francis each have one loss in league action.
The home team jumped to a 10-0 lead while the visitors struggled against a 2-3 zone. By the time St. Andrew's led 14-2, Watanabe already had nine points and a runaway seemed imminent.
With a very young bench, Mizunaka used an ironman unit of just five players from start to finish. The Pride opened a 25-19 lead after halftime, but faltered again as fatigue set in against University's full-court pressure.
The Jr. 'Bows went ahead 33-31 on a three-point play by Yoshizu, who switched to her left hand for a tough scoop shot on a drive through the middle. A steal and layup by Pride guard Shelly Wong tied the game at 33 with 1:21 left, setting the stage for Tusi's go-ahead basket.
At St. Andrew's Priory gym
| University (7-1) |
2 |
15 |
11 |
8 |
-- |
36
|
| St. Andrew's (5-1) |
12 |
6 |
11 |
4 |
-- |
33 |
UNIVERSITY -- Melanie Cortez 6, Kristen Higa 0, Angie Yoshizu 16, Pi'ilani Mahoe 3, Brittany Copp 4, Nicole Bareng 0, Ruthie Tasi 7.
ST. ANDREW'S -- Angela Loh 0, Shelly Wong 6, Minna Watanabe 14, Noelani Kawashima 5, Maile Tua 8.
3-point goals -- University 2 (Yoshizu, Mahoe), St. Andrew's 3 (Watanabe 2, Kawashima).
ILH GIRLS DIVISION II
La Pietra 31, Word of Life 30
Channelle Maldonado hit two late 3s to pull the Firebrands within reach of La Pietra, but it was not enough to give them the win.
At La Pietra H.S. gym
| Word of Life (3-4) |
9 |
4 |
8 |
9 |
-- |
30
|
| La Pietra (3-4) |
10 |
7 |
6 |
8 |
-- |
31 |
WORD OF LIFE -- Rayanne Alvarado 0, Brittany Iwamoto 13, Channelle Maldonado 8, Phoibe Fetu 0, Jasmine Saquilon 0, Adaiah Hanakahi 7, Faith Zerba 0, Monique Jackson 2, Janna Kaopuiki 0.
LA PIETRA -- Alexandra Del Favero-Campbell 0, Jennifer Moody 2, Cody Koa 10, Shannon Waltz 4, Sarah Peoples 8, Yana Alliata 1, Stacey Martin 4, Xiu Xiu Cooney 2.
3-point goals -- Word of Life 2 (Maldonado 2), La Pietra none.
Lanakila Baptist 53, Le Jardin 43
Sarah Butler's 16 points led the Warriors to their first win. Kelsey Tanouye had 15 points for the Bulldogs.
At Hawaii Baptist Academy gym
| Le Jardin (0-7) |
2 |
20 |
9 |
12 |
-- |
43
|
| Lanakila (1-6) |
11 |
15 |
15 |
12 |
-- |
53 |
LE JARDIN -- Ashley Abraham 0, Kelsey Tanouye 15, Sara Crozer 0, Brittany Daniels 1, Gabrielle Kristofich 6, Kelly Connors 2, Nicole Picciotto 0, Ryann Kurahara 10, Jessica Shiarella 5, Raleigh Froeber 4, Kalene Peterson 0.
LANAKILA BAPTIST -- Kehau Rivera 7, Charisa Kakilala 0, Bliselda Miranda 0, Crystal Sonson 9, Marie Tapec 0, Jessica Aquino 3, Sofia Zarsadias 0, Davryn Aviles 12, Makalani Eli 6, Sarah Butler 16, Joy Duncan 0.
3-point goals -- Le Jardin 3 (Tanouye 2, Kurahara), Lanakila Baptist 2 (Rivera, Eli).
Maryknoll 50, Hawaii Baptist 36
Kristen Canencia and Sam Chung combined for 25 points to lead the Spartans over the Eagles.
At Hawaii Baptist Academy gym
| Maryknoll (4-0) |
14 |
10 |
7 |
19 |
-- |
50
|
| Hawaii Baptist (4-4) |
8 |
6 |
8 |
14 |
-- |
36 |
MARYKNOLL -- Kristen Canencia 13, Ashley Agcaoili 8, Miho Arai 4, Corine Gushikuma 0, Kimberly Henderson 0, Melissa Ching 7, Sam Chung 12, Soana Fifita 2, Tiana Marquez 4.
HAWAII BAPTIST -- Jamie Iha 3, Stefanie Sueda 2, Sharon Kim 0, Keline Yoshimura 6, Narissa Fujii 14, Carissa Onuma 6, Jordin Ramos 1, Ashley Salado 3, Kayla Yamamoto 1.
3-point goals -- Maryknoll 1 (Ching), Hawaii Baptist 2 (Iha, Yoshimura).
Christian Academy 37, Assets 32
George Cambra's 18 points led the Patriots over the Admirals.
At Aiea H.S. gym
| CA (3-3) |
12 |
13 |
5 |
7 |
-- |
37
|
| Assets (1-4) |
5 |
7 |
12 |
8 |
-- |
32 |
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY -- Michael Urcia 14, Jathniel Manahan 0, Abel Orbistondo 5, Joshua Kaoiwi 0, Ryan Kobayashi 0, Axton Durand 5, Zachary Fu 2, Jake Okumura 0, Brett Koga 0, Jason Ko 11, Robert Helsham Jr. 0.
ASSETS -- Grant Kitagawa 5, Kupu Henderson 0, Brandon Kushima 4, Rance Kuwata 5, Troy Toyama 0, Garrett Kato 0, Logan Molina 0, Fabrizio Aliiata 0, Cory Kacher 0, Eric Bottomley 0, George Cambra 18, Jordan Kumasaka 0.
3-point goals -- Christian Academy 4 (Urcia 4), Assets 1 (Kuwata).
Hanalani 54, Christian Academy 20
Janelle Fetui scored 15 points as the Royals routed the Patriots.
At Hanalani H.S. gym
| Christian (0-5) |
4 |
4 |
3 |
9 |
-- |
20
|
| Hanalani (4-1) |
8 |
23 |
14 |
9 |
-- |
54 |
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY -- Mari Miura 0, Kristin Addington 2, Megan Winters 2, Amber Acedo 7, Tori Adres 4, Sarah Godinet 5, Chazlee Baitlon 0.
HANALANI -- Rachel Matalau 15, Samantha Hyde 14, Janelle Fetui 15, Katie Scully 2, J. Earl 2, J. Arellano 4, S. Shimizu 2.
3-point goals -- Christian Academy none, Hanalani 1 (Fetui).
ILH BOYS DIVISION I
No. 5 Kamehameha 44, No. 9 Maryknoll 31
Pii Minns scored 11 points to lead the Warriors past the Spartans 44-31.
At Kekuhaupi'o gym
| Maryknoll (2-3) |
9 |
13 |
5 |
4 |
-- |
31
|
| Kamehameha (4-1) |
9 |
9 |
8 |
18 |
-- |
44 |
MARYKNOLL -- Brian Saxton 2, Tyler Terai 1, Scott Kamimura 3, Garrick Chock 5, Christian Bueno-Kanei 5, Javen Correia 2, Shelby Nakakuraa 0, Micah Kalepa 0, Richard Herring 5, Jordan Napoleon 0, Ross Lum 8.
KAMEHAMEHA -- Kauila Miller 3, Edmund Kamano 2, Jonathan Hew-Len 2, Kawika Lyons 6, Chaz Bajet 6, Auwae DeRego 6, Blake Viena 2, Pii Minns 11, Shawn Bode 0, Damien Termae-Kaehuaea 2, Kamakoa Downey-Jovanovich 4.
3-point goals -- Maryknoll 3 (Kamimura, Chock, Bueno-Kanei), Kamehameha 2 (Miller, Bajet).
