Kamehameha advances on Furtado’s buzzer-beater

Kid Clutch has struck again.

Pualei Furtado, who showed signs of brilliance under pressure last year as a freshman, swished a running 15-footer as time expired to lift 10th-ranked Kamehameha over Mid-Pacific 40-38 last night at Kekuhaupio Gym.

A frenzied crowd of about 600 saw Kamehameha advance to the final of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu girls basketball tournament. The Warriors, 7-6 in league play, will face Iolani tomorrow at Blaisdell Arena for the ILH's final state tournament berth.

The game featured 17 lead changes. The heart-breaking loss closed Mid-Pac's season at 3-10 in league play (8-12 overall). Johnelle Kapua led the Owls with 14 points. Jenna Savusa added 11 points and nine boards.

The Warriors can thank Furtado, who was among a number of stellar defensive stoppers. Her offense wasn't explosive, but her timing was impeccable. On the game's final play, Kamehameha inbounded from its corner with 3.2 seconds left.

Furtado was immediately double-teamed in the corner.

"I couldn't really see the basket, to be honest," she said.

She found a gap, took a dribble and floated the runner.

"I just knew we needed to score, so I tried to take it to the basket," Furtado said.

The Warriors beat the young Owls twice in the regular season by 12- and 8-point margins. However, the visitors used a 2-3 zone to stymie Kamehameha, which shot just 35 percent (16-for-46).

The Warriors made up for it by outrebounding the Owls 22-19, including 13 offensive boards.

Rhani Kaneaiakala powered the way with 15 points, eight caroms and three blocks.

Kamehameha's man-to-man defense stifled the Owls, who shot 50 percent (13-for-26), but turned the ball over 20 times.

At Kekuhaupio Gym

Mid-Pacific (3-10)	8	15	7	8	--	38
Kamehameha (7-6)	9	12	9	10	--	40

MID-PACIFIC -- Paige Young 5, Ashley Yamachika 6, Johnelle Kapua 14, Shanon Nishimura 2, Jordan Kealoha 0, Keaton McFadden 0, Jenna Savusa 11.

KAMEHAMEHA -- Pualei Furtado 8, Zayne Apiki 0, Pomai Kalakau 0, Shaleese Javillo 3, Lindsey Wong 4, Tiana Abbley 3, Rhani Kaneaiakala 15, Mara Mukai 0, Kylle Roy 7, Casey Lum 0.

3-point goals -- Mid-Pacific none, Kamehameha 3 (Furtado, Javillo, Abbley).

No. 2 Iolani 50, Sacred Hearts 32

Jamie Smith scored 17 points as the Raiders defeated the Lancers.

Raecha-Ann Kauahikaua led Sacred Hearts with 14 points.

At Iolani H.S. gym

Sacred Hearts (0-12)	10	3	8	11	--	32
Iolani (11-2)	9	11	17	13	--	50

SACRED HEARTS -- Rayna Munos 3, Ronalyn Timbreza 0, Kamri Lin 5, Ashley Ordenstein 6, Maya Clark 0, Lindsey Bareng 2, Raecha-Ann Kauahikaua 14, Kuhina Luis 2, Naihe Paikai 0, Noel Soma 0.

IOLANI -- Elysse Tom 0, Tami Konishi 5, Kylie Ahlo 4, Lahela Usui 7, Lori Yamashita 3, Chanel Hirata 3, Dayna Jandoc 7, Jamie Smith 17, Raechele Takara 0, Georgette Lopes-Liutolo 2, Shauni Watanabe 2, Hailey Maeda 0.

3-point goals -- Sacred Hearts 2 (Ordenstein, Kauahikaua), Iolani 3 (Usui, Hirata, Jandoc).

ILH Division II

St. Francis 44, St. Andrew's Priory 32

Bryanna Batts scored 13 points and Nikki Perry added 12 as the Troubadours defeated the Pride to gain the last bid from the ILH for the Division II state tournament.

At Hawaii Baptist H.S. gym

St. Francis (8-3)	10	7	10	17	--	44
St. Andrews (7-4)	9	2	12	9	--	32

ST. FRANCIS -- Breanne Suyeyoshi 0, Nikki Perry 12, Bryanna Batts 13, Ulu Reyes 2, Kristen Enomoto 0, Nicole Yuen 0, Tasha Meyer 0, Kai Bento 0, Kaui Berinobis 5, Chardonay Pao 0, Alana Gionet 6, Jasmine Teal 6, Melissa Allen 0, Cierra Gauvin 0, Justine Silva 0.

ST. ANDREW'S PRIORY -- Angela Loh 0, Rebecca Kleinschmidt 2, Shelly Wong 2, Minna Watanabe 15, Noelani Kawashima 11, Erika McCallis 0, Teisa Laboy 2, Diana Cabral 0.

3-point goals -- St. Francis 2 (Perry, Batts), St. Andrews 4 (Watanabe 2, Kawashima 2).