Heimuli helps Govs power past Bulldogs for D-I crown

Moli Heimuli had 20 points and eight rebounds as Farrington edged Kaimuki 45-37 to capture the OIA Division I girls basketball championship on Thursday night at Waipahu.

Kylie Carganilla added 10 points and versatile Chantal Mailou hustled for nine points, nine boards, four steals and a block. Center Naomi Peltier was key with five points and 10 big rebounds. Farrington won the battle on the glass 35-27.

“I’m very proud of our girls. They have worked hard and come a long way,” said Lady Governors coach Caroline Tatupu, who has now coached four Farrington teams to OIA D-I titles.

“You win some, you lose some. That’s part of the game,” Kaimuki coach Mona Fa‘asoa said. “We knew it wouldn’t be an easy task. They made their shots and we missed ours.”

Heimuli, a 6-foot senior, finished strong with 10 points in the final quarter. That offset a major rally by the Bulldogs, who trailed 23-12 early in the third quarter.

Kaimuki (11-2) had been a torrid shooting team of late, but cooled off in the final. The Bulldogs shot just 2-for-20 from the arc and still had a chance to win their first D-I title since 1990.

Instead, Farrington, the second-place team in the East, reigned. The Govs lost at Kaimuki 50-35 on Dec. 15. Since then, they have won 10 games in a row.

“We found that team chemistry. Each one of us has confidence,” Heimuli said. “It just took some time.”

It took some defense, which Tatupu pointed to as their staple. Heimuli went to the bench with foul trouble and 3:39 left in the third quarter. Instead of capitalizing, Kaimuki continued to struggle against Farrington’s 2-3 matchup zone.

The Governors shut out Kaimuki for the remaining minutes of the third quarter and extended a seven-point lead to 29-19 entering the final stanza.

The Bulldogs, led by Victoria Kintz’s 23 points and nine caroms, caught fire in the fourth. Kaelyn Espinda swished two NBA-range trifectas to bring Kaimuki within 29-27 with 6 minutes left in regulation.

Farrington got a putback by Peltier, a 6-foot senior, and two inside buckets by Heimuli to regain momentum and open the lead to 35-27.

Kaimuki got within four after Kintz willed her way into the paint against big defenders and scored two baskets, but the Bulldogs got no closer.

Farrington kept it interesting by shooting just 10-for-19 at the foul line in the fourth, but it was enough to stave off the Bulldogs. Heimuli and Peltier combined to make four foul shots in the final 57.5 seconds to seal the win.

Farrington (12-1) 16 5 8 16 — 45

Kaimuki (11-2) 7 5 7 18 — 37

FARRINGTON—Kylie Carganilla 10, Kelia Miller 0, Laula O’Hara 0, Shayla Cabato-Machado 1, Shaniah Paleafei 0, Chantal Mailou 9, Natasha Paleafei 0, Setita Prescott 0, Moli Heimuli 20, Naomi Peltier 5.

KAIMUKI—Sirena Titer 0, Sonia Palik 3, Kaelyn Espinda 6, Peka Scott 0, Victoria Kintz 23, Jasmine Chipen-Ii 0, Cleopatra Lauvao 2, Nancy Atiga 0, Mele Loo-Godinet 3.

3-point goals—Farrington 3 (Carganilla 2, Mailou). Kaimuki 2 (Espinda 2).

Mililani 27, Leilehua 22

Third place

At Leilehua

Mililani (10-3) 3 9 6 9 — 27

Leilehua (10-3) 6 9 3 4 — 22

MILILANI—Brooke Napier 0, Teona Singletary 0, Kayla Torres 1, Taysia Canon 6, Dahlis Sablay 2, Hope Carter 2, Janae Richie 0, Kira Bernat 0, Kayla Tansiongco 2, Kalena Gibson 4, Cheyenne Ardona 8, Natalia Kojima 2.

LEILEHUA—Karina Phifer 0, Megan Ayala 0, Joslyn Mendoza 0, Kaylen Kamelamela 5, Kayla Posiulai 2, Gabriella Johnson 0, Jemma Godbout 0, Chyel Palmer 9, Alaese McKenzie 0, Abigail Flores 4, Shaylee Todani 0, Kimberley Owens 0, Asia Castillo 2.

3-point goals—Mililani none. Leilehua 1 (Kamelamela).

Kahuku 42, Nanakuli 36

Fifth place

At Kahuku

Nanakuli (10-4) 11 5 8 12 — 36

Kahuku (11-3) 10 9 14 9 — 42

NANAKULI—Alana Nuuanu 14, Shyler Barrett 0, Mariah Manandic-Katu 0, Kalei Cates 9, Kanani Diamond 3, Crucita Enos 0, Trisdyn Kalaau 6, April Alaimalo 0, Shayna Montez 2, Kitona Ahsui 2, Misnash Sadea 0.

KAHUKU—Lehiwa Benson 1, Savannah Christensen 10, Tiueti Tonga 2, Logotaeao “Divine” Galeai 6, Honey Perez-Wasson 6, Ilaosaane “Loto” Pooi 0, Talei Niu 0, Liana Holani 0, Leving Jinadasa 2, Brittni Blake 15, Kailyn “Ashley” Unga-Nihipali 0, Lydia Taulapapa 0.

3-point goals—Nanakuli 3 (Kalaau 2, Cates). Kahuku 2 (Galeai 2).