Mike Taylor preaches poise and patience.

What Punahou's girls basketball coach didn't know is that he'd get a little bit more from his Buffanblu. Despite cold shooting, the third-ranked Buffanblu fought off No. 5 'Iolani 40-28 last night before about 300 fans at Hemmeter Fieldhouse.

For a Punahou team that just got done with finals and three games in one week, 'Iolani (3-2) provided another stiff challenge.

“;'Iolani came out with a lot more intensity and their defense was tough. I'm glad our kids came through. It was a gut check,”; Taylor said. “;It's a lot to ask of kids, but it shows how the mind is a powerful thing. You find out who you are when fatigue sets in.”;

Punahou (9-5) remained at the top of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu girls basketball standings with a 6-1 mark after putting the visiting Raiders away in the final 2 minutes.

The Buffanblu had their biggest lead at 33-16 after a 3-point shot by Brittnie Lau with 4 minutes left. 'Iolani got five quick points by Georgette Lopes-Liutolo, and with Punahou over the foul limit, the Raiders marched to the foul line and chipped away in the last 2 minutes.

When Lahela Usui hit a trey from the left wing, moments after Punahou switched to a 2-3 zone, the visitors were within 35-28 with 1:38 to go.

However, a steal by Jennifer Ching led to a layup by Mysha Sataraka, and Sataraka converted a steal of her own for another bucket to give the Buffanblu a 39-28 lead with 30 seconds left, sealing the win.

'Iolani's three-game win streak, which began after a 21-point loss to Punahou on Jan. 8, came to an end.

“;It was one of those nights,”; 'Iolani coach Eddie Maruyama said. “;The ball just didn't go in the basket. Our girls played hard and we've been improving, but Punahou played well.”;

The Raiders shot 23 percent (10-for-43) against a Punahou man defense that fought for position on every high screen and low post. 'Iolani was 4-for-19 from beyond the arc and had just one scorer in double figures, Lori Yamashita, who finished with 10 points.

Punahou, led by Sataraka's 12 points and freshman guard Khaliyah Thompson's 10, got seven points, 12 rebounds and two blocks from junior center Hailey-Ann Maeda. The Buffanblu had a 34-17 edge on the boards, grabbing 11 off the offensive glass.

“;Today, we lacked the same intensity. It wasn't the same,”; Maeda said of the previous win over 'Iolani. “;After the first half, we pulled together more, hit more open people and got more aggressive.”;

Thompson, one of the quickest transition players in the ILH, provided a spark while Taylor used four subs early in the contest.

“;We always want good intensity on defense,”; said Thompson, who had three of her team's 13 steals. “;I just try to make hustle plays and do what I can to help my team.”;

'Iolani's 2-3 matchup zone gave Punahou fits. The Buffanblu shot 32 percent, sinking just two 3-pointers. The Raiders committed 19 turnovers, however, against Punahou's mix of halfcourt man and fullcourt zone presses, along with a 1-2-2 halfcourt press for one possession.

Punahou led 16-9 at halftime after limiting 'Iolani to 4-for-22 shooting. The lead opened to 17 points after the Raiders went more than 8 minutes without scoring.

'IOLANI — Saphyre Rezentes 0, Kryn Masutani 0, Lori Yamashita 10, Georgette Lopes-Liutolo 5, Kaitlyn Shikada 1, Lahela Usui 6, Shauni Watanabe 0, Alyssa Liilii 0, Alex Masaquel 4, Taimane Passi 2
PUNAHOU — Kaylin Okuma 0, Khaliyah Thompson 10, Janet Li 0, Turner Wong 0, Brittnie Lau 3, Demi Suzuki 0, Mysha Sataraka 12, Julia Brand 0, Jennifer Ching 7, Michelle Parke 0, Kysa Ludviksen 1, Hailey-Ann Maeda 7.
3-point goals—'Iolani 4 (Yamashita 2, Lopes-Liutolo, Usui), Punahou 2 (Lau, Ching).

No. 7 Mid-Pacific 58, Kamehameha 22
The Owls dominated the court in a key victory over the Warriors last night.
Mid-Pacific held Kamehameha to less than 10 points in each quarter and improved to 3-2.
Ashley Yamachika and Keaton McFadden led the Owls with 17 and 16 points. Makana Borden posted six points for the Warriors.

KAMEHAMEHA — Dalian Krampert 3, Krystal-Lei Mills 2, Noelani Mikami 4, Deja Tafiti 0, Manu Noa 2, Kellsie Crowell 1, Haley Paakaula 2, Brachelle Nueku 0, Makana Borden 6, Kennedi Akana 0, Tyana Akana 0, Kilia Maio 2.
MID-PACIFIC — Jordan Kealoha 2, Kirstie Sugimoto 1, Paige Young 0, Megan Kinoshita 0, Ashley Yamachika 17, Mahina Docktor 8, Kiana Robertson 4, Kelli Shibata 3, Shanon Nishimura 1, Taylor Babbitt 6, Keaton McFadden 16.
3-point goals — Kamehameha none. Mid-Pacific 4 (Yamachika 3, Shibata).

ILH DIVISION I BOYS

Saint Louis 60, Damien 58
The Crusaders clinched their first conference victory, slipping past the Monarchs.

SAINT LOUIS — Keenan Paulos 0, Acen Cabral 19, Quinn Arakawa 4, Marcus Umu 8, Nainoa Frank 0, Drew Viena 2, Marcus Rodrigues 0, Max Botticelli 0, Mika Wong 16, Joseph Kanoa 0, Starr Sua-Passi 1, Bryan Cieslik 3, Jaris Popacca-Falefa 7, Reeves Khoeler 0.
DAMIEN — Mark Baay 16, Nephi Tuitele 2, Dylan Yonamine-Baysay 5, Matt Labaguen 1, Breysen Lee 11, Kevin Aganos 0, Jeremy Torcuato 2, Tyler Tamayo 10, Jacob Cachola 8, Lonn Iwashita 3.
3-point goals — Saint Louis 2 (Umu, Popacca-Falefa). Damien 3 (Baay 3).

Also
ILH DIVISION II BOYS
Hanalani 65, Island Pacific 64
Punahou 74, Hawaiian Mission 50
'Iolani 61, Maryknoll 27
Leading scorers—Han: Darin Kamealoha 17. IPA: Jason Brenner 18. Pun: Stephen Alterado 12. HMA: Ryan Asatani 12. 'Iol: Scott Sakaida 14. Mryk: Justin Koo 8.

ILH DIVISION II GIRLS
Hawaii Baptist 36, Lanakila Baptist 25
Hanalani 37, La Pietra 30
University 44, Lutheran 43, OT
Punahou 51, St. Francis 43
Leading scorers—HBA: Jennifer Young 12. LB: Crystal Sonson 16. Han: Jessica Clanton 10. LaP: Marissa Hoen 11. UHS: Quynne Eharis 22. LHS: Lexi Kaneshiro 16. Pun: Kayla Murata 13. StF: Kiana Jones 12.

OIA RED WEST BOYS

No. 6 Mililani 55, No. 10 Campbell 51, OT
With some key steals in overtime the Trojans edged the Sabers to remain unbeaten in the conference.
Mililani trailed by four points with 1:40 left, but several steals and two free throws by Hassan Richardson kept the Trojans in the game. A final layup by Mililani's Brandon Fujinaga secured the win.

CAMPBELL — Kristian Manuel 10, Christian Storment 3, Fouina Haskins 14, Christopher Crawford 4, Maika Ulufale 2, Allan Otanes 5, Mason Mau 2, Timothy Friend 0, Rowel Urban 0, Carter Kauwenaole 0, C.J. Ramos 2, Clayton Darity 9, Brandon Todd 0, M. Agni 0.
MILILANI — Brandon Fujinaga 6, Bryson Calma 0, Josh Lenchanko 2, Nick Kunz 0, Ed Ocampo 8, Makena Kahoano 0, Reginald Griffin 12, Joe McGlamery 3, Robbie Griffin 0, Hassan Richardson 14, Trent McKinney 6, Brandon Tacadena 0, Christian Baltazar 0, Forrest Garcia 4, Ryan Jacobs 0.
3-point goals — Campbell 4 (Darity 3, Otanes). Mililani none.
Junior varsity — Mililani 42, Campbell 41