In Greg Tacon’s vision, disarming the foe has been and probably always will be priority No. 1.
Fortunately, the longtime coach has a band of Menehune who are regularly turning that vision into reality. Among them is senior point guard Kahanu Pu‘ulei-Auld, who had 14 points and 12 steals as No. 7 Moanalua routed Roosevelt 66-31 on Thursday night.
Moanalua improved to 6-1 with its fifth consecutive victory in OIA East play (13-7 overall), locking down on Roosevelt’s perimeter shooters. Pu‘ulei-Auld was a ballhawking force at midcourt all game long, helping Moanalua’s man-to-man defense force Roosevelt into 31 turnovers, including 15 in the first half.
“We’ve got to keep intensity. We have a lot of communication on defense,” said the senior, who hustled for five rebounds. “It starts with on-ball defense. I set the tempo for my team.”
Tacon went deep with his bench from the start, keeping fresh legs on the floor to stifle Roosevelt’s gunners.
“It’s turned into an epidemic with the four-out and five-out (offenses), drive in and pitch. They can hurt you if you’re late,” he said. “Our goal was, don’t let them turn the corner.”
Roosevelt, probably the smallest team in the East, was coming off a win at Castle and had given Farrington and Kailua tough battles recently. The Rough Riders are now 3-4 in league play (6-8 overall).
Roosevelt committed nine turnovers in the opening quarter as the home team rolled to a quick 10-0 lead. Justin Hudcovic, a 6-foot-3 senior, scored all six of his points as Na Menehune took a 14-4 lead into the second quarter.
At that point, Pu‘ulei-Auld already had four steals, and then he cranked up his offensive game.
Spotting up off an inside-out game, he hit two treys in the second quarter as Moanalua opened a 27-10 lead.
Guard Ola Brown also had a strong first half with eight points, including six in the second quarter. Brown, a transfer from Academy of the Pacific, finished with eight points. Aaron Stuart had eight points and eight boards off the bench, and Jamaal Willis had seven points.
Roosevelt, which got six points each from Isaiah Visoria, Mick Colling and Henry Maumalanga, never threatened. The visitors were 0-for-6 from 3-point range and finished at 35 percent from the field (12-for-35).
The play of his starting backcourt on both ends of the floor is clearly one of the team’s pillars.
“Kahanu’s got great hands and great anticipation. He runs the team and he’s so unselfish. He always wants to get the team involved,” Tacon said. “He makes everyone else better. Ola is a perfect complement. He’s strong and he’s got such a high basketball IQ. I love the mix.”
Moanalua will face Farrington on Saturday in a key matchup.
“They’re a bigger version of the drive and pitch,” Tacon said.
At Moanalua
ROOSEVELT (3-4) 4 11 8 8 — 31
MOANALUA (6-1) 14 25 13 14 — 66
ROOSEVELT—Bryson Quackenbush 5, J.J. Acopan 2, Jake Kawasaki 0, Isaiah Visoria 6, Alleck Dizon 0, Mick Colling 6, Valen Inaura 6, Henry Maumalanga 2, Joshua Alexander 2, Algeson Panopio 0, Chaston Marcos 2.
MOANALUA—Jon-Michael Sharsh 4, Ola Brown 8, Reyn Okimoto 2, Elo Badua 1, Kahanu Pu‘ulei-Auld 14, Aljohn Bumanglag 3, Jamaal Willis 7, Antoine Hines 2, Zack Pu‘ulei-Loi-On 0, Justin Hudcovic 6, Wyatt Nunes 0, Eliet Donley 4, Alaziar Torres 2, Jordan Williams 0, Aaron Stuart 8, Austin Failauga 5.
3-point goals—Roosevelt none, Moanalua 3 (Pu‘ulei-Auld 2, Willis).
OIA EAST BOYS
No. 2 Kalaheo 70, Castle 43
Josh Ko scored 12 of his game-high 20 points in the second quarter as the Mustangs routed the Knights to remain undefeated in league play.
At Kalaheo
Castle (0-7) 3 11 17 12 — 43
Kalaheo (7-0) 20 21 15 14 — 70
CASTLE—Justin Pang 11, Kela Shea 9, Keanu Furtado 12, Erik Smith 0, Nui Furtado 5, Charles Kiakona 0, Joe Lilio III 6, Bryson Aiwohi 0.
KALAHEO—Josh Ko 20, Shem Sukumaran 0, Alec MacLeod 3, Kalei Zuttermeister 7, Kurt Vegas 0, Kalani Green 11, Derick Morgan 16, Salila Tucker 2, Kupa‘a Harrison 8, Anthony Rowan 2, Michael Leong 0, Elijah Erickson 1.
3-point goals—Castle 1 (Pang). Kalaheo 9 (Ko 4, MacLeod, Zuttermeister, Green 3).
Junior varsity—Kalaheo 58, Castle 46
Kailua 60, Anuenue 27
Despite a 19-point performance by Kimo Romena, Na Alii fell to the host Surfriders.
Matthew Bishop led Kailua with 12 points.
At Kailua
Anuenue (0-7) 8 3 7 9 — 27
Kailua (4-3) 17 22 11 10 — 60
ANUENUE—Ikaika Benjamin 1, Kamanaopono Grace-Kekawa 0, Kimo Romena 19, Kamana‘o Dureg 0, Naali‘i Dureg 5, Ka‘imi Tasaka 0, Kawa‘a Kahana-Reid 0, Keanu Rodriguez 0, Pono Kahili 2, ‘Aleno Del Toro 0, Kaleo Lindsey 0, Kaleo Gaspar 0.
KAILUA—Cason Kalei 4, Dayson Davids 4, Kalani Johnson 2, Willie Kailimai 4, Eric Lavoie 6, Kawika Lewis 5, Matthew Bishop 12, Delywn Richards Jr. 4, Noah Auld 2, Christian Kamu Scheer 5, Mason Youart 0, Kekoa Ford 5, Marcus Malepeai 5, Russell Foster 2.
3-point goals—Anuenue 5 (Romena 4, N. Dureg). Kailua 2 (Scheer, Ford).
McKinley 81, Kaiser 76, 2OT
The Tigers went on a 6-0 run in the second overtime and held the lead to defeat the Cougars.
McKinley nailed 10 shots from behind the arc, with Joseph Alzona claiming four. A.J. Ortaleza finished with 17 points, leading six Tigers players in double-figures.
Kaiser’s Chance Kalaugher racked up a game-high 27 points in the loss.
At Kaiser
McKinley (4-3) 16 14 18 8 10 15 — 81
Kaiser (2-5) 21 8 13 14 10 10 — 76
MCKINLEY—Dan Villejo 10, Kui Williams 11, Brennan Waters 3, Joseph Alzona 12, Dayton Lee 11, Jeff Fronda 11, AJ Ortaleza 17, Erolino Javier 2, Jared Malaga 4.
KAISER—Nic Tom 13, Melvin Kahunanui 6, Brysen Chun-Ming 0, Makena Kaneaiakala 2, Jensen Momoki 7, Trevin Kahunanui 6, Tarius Hill 15, Chance Kalaugher 27, Leimana Chong-Gum 2.
3-point goals—McKinley 10 (Alzona 4, Fronda 2, Ortaleza, Lee, Villejo, Waters). Kaiser 3 (Momoki 2, Tom).
Junior varsity—McKinley 68, Kaiser 36
Farrington 60, Kaimuki 48, OT
Jacob McEnroe scored five of his 12 points in overtime to lift the Governors over the Bulldogs.
Tyler Liana finished with 15 points for Farrington, while Jaypee Unabia matched that tally for Kaimuki.
At Farrington
Kaimuki (1-6) 11 8 12 15 2 — 48
Farrington (6-1) 14 8 12 12 14 — 60
KAIMUKI—Kency Owens 0, Jaypee Unabia 15, Tai Boyd 10, Kenny Fujioka 2, Hunter Young 12, Akira Vernon 3, Zachary Bastatas 6.
FARRINGTON—Jacob McEnroe 12, Mark Dudalao 0, Isaiah Smith 10, Van Hugo 3, Marco Cudia 3, Tyler Liana 15, David Luafatasago 6, Mason Semisi 11.
3-point goals—Kaimuki 1 (Unabia). Farrington 1 (Hugo).
Junior varsity—Farrington 58, Kaimuki 48
Kahuku 61, Kalani 48
The Red Raiders rallied in the second half to beat the Falcons.
At Kahuku
Kalani (4-3) 15 7 16 10 — 48
Kahuku (5-2) 15 8 20 18 — 61
KALANI—Dallas Asuncion 0, Trevor Yamashita 2, Alexander Tungpalan 11, Cory Mitchell 10, Shiraz Dole 0, Matthew Haili 6, Brandon Roberts 9, Michael Pimental 9, Brandon Hill 1.
KAHUKU—Liko Carvalho 0, Wilton Cravens 0, Chance Maghanoy 1, Devailo Galeai 0, Kawehena Johnson 11, Huleia Naeole 0, Ashley Kaka 0, Will Cravens 7, Lasselle Thompson 11, Drayton Aki 0, Ku-j Tapusoa 0, Soli Afalava 2, Quayd Ah You 6, Clifford Ramseyer 0, Hirkley Latu 13, Lamone Williams 10, McKay Lewis 0.
3-point goals—Kalani 5 (Tungpalan 2, Roberts 2, Pimental). Kahuku none.
Junior varsity—Kalani 50, Kahuku 38
OIA WEST BOYS
No. 5 Kapolei 68, Waipahu 38
Dorien Antonio-Martos scored 17 points for the Hurricanes.
At Waipahu
Kapolei (6-0) 19 21 19 9 — 68
Waipahu (1-5) 7 16 11 4 — 38
KAPOLEI—Agustine Stridiron 0, Elia McKeague 0, Dorien Antonio-Martos 17, Curtis Tavares 11, Ka‘eo Soares 9, Aaron Jackson 0, Christopher Dillard 14, Brailand Hearn 2, Benjahmin Toomolatai 2, Zachary Reeves 8, Mason Alfaro 0, Elijah Gipson 3, Michael Kapoi 2.
WAIPAHU—Paul Alambatin 0, Keanu Deboma 5, Tupou Eliu 0, Gerald Felix 0, Al Jerome Leano 0, Brandon Lucien-Timbreza 0, Bryan Mason 0, Ryan Mendoza 0, Brendan Mendoza-Bulong 5, Dustin Morales 6, Eliser Paclob Jr. 2, Jed Pagtulingan 9, Abelle Tejada 0, Jusyl Tambobolan 4, Naftali Tolibas 7.
3-point goals—Kapolei 7 (Antonio-Martos 3, Tavares 2, Dillard, Soares). Waipahu 3 (Morales 2, Mendoza-Bulong).
Junior varsity—Kapolei 52, Waipahu 44
Pearl City 45, Aiea 36
Tyson Hickcox racked up 16 points as the visiting Chargers trampled Na Alii.
At Aiea
Pearl City (7-0) 12 9 11 13 — 45
Aiea (1-5) 9 3 10 14 — 36
PEARL CITY—Isaac Amorin 7, Eric Dela Pena 1, Reymart Rosario 7, Tyson Hickcox 16, Zach Kaya, Sonny Glisson 8, Bricen Shafer 0, Cory Briscoe 3, Shandy Reyes 0, Joshua Cubi 3, Justine Bautista 0, Bryson Galderia 0, Josh Arellano 0.
AIEA—Christian Maglaya 10, Mana Kaahanui 9, Aryn Antonio 8, Mikel Raza 0, Kealii Leopoldo 0, Bronson Lee 0, Brandon Lee 0, Michael Taliulu 0, Bryson Naito 7, Rusty Fontes 0, Sausau Foumai 0, Kimo Souza 2, Matthew Sio 0, Jantsen Shinmoto 0.
3-point goals—Pearl City 3 (Amorin, Rosario, Cubi). Aiea 2 (Maglaya, Antonio).
Junior varsity—Aiea 63, Pearl City 42
Leilehua 44, Radford 38
A 20-point rally in the fourth quarter propeled the Mules over the Rams.
At Radford
Leilehua (4-2) 13 9 2 20 — 44
Radford (1-6) 4 10 11 13 — 38
LEILEHUA—Carlan Hayes 9, Justin Jenks 0, Branson Funakoshi 4, Pomai Cozo 6, Elijah Cozo 5, Kenneth Hill 0, Troy Ross 5, Dyllan Amond 6, Torenzo Vereen 9.
RADFORD—Jordin Pacheco 0, Malcolm Hill 4, Mark Reven Villejo 12, Jamaree Jackson 0, Courtney Spencer 3, Ammon Seei 4, Jordan Riley 8, Mana Kakiva 7, Blake Weldon 0, Kendall Bryant 0.
3-point goals—Leilehua none. Radford 2 (Villejo, Riley).
Junior varsity—Leilehua 51, Radford 42
Campbell 47, Nanakuli 31
Justin Tago’Sue scored 14 points and the Sabers drained six 3-pointers to down the Golden Hawks.
At Nanakuli
Campbell (4-2) 10 10 10 17 — 47
Nanakuli (2-5) 6 6 7 12 — 31
CAMPBELL—Brannon Cody Bantolina 4, Jomar Jett Gapusan 8 , Alex Layi 0, Joshua Michael Forte 4, Jayce Bantolina 6, Paul Andrew Rhoden 0, Justin Tago’Sue 14, Gilbert Dayanan 7, Melvin Bergado 0, Juan-Paulo Felizardo 0, Kainoa Perry 0, Solomon Leaeno 4, John Arigo 0.
NANAKULI—Alika Moore 0, Charles Garcia 8, Tryson Vincent 7, Josh DeFreitas 1, Lanson Liki 8, Royce Ochimas 7, Mason Vaivai 0, Sebastian Gaison 0.
3-point goals—Campbell 6 (J. Bantolina 2, Dayanan 2, Tago’Sue, B. Bantolina). Nanakuli none.
Junior varsity—Campbell 48, Nanakuli 47
ALSO
Waianae 58, Waialua 37
ILH DIVISION I BOYS
No. 6 Kamehameha 52, Mid-Pacific 32
Austin Gerard led Kamehameha with 15 points, while Kyle Husslein had 16 points for Mid-Pacific.
At Kamehameha
Mid-Pacific (0-7) 10 7 8 7 — 32
Kamehameha (4-3) 11 16 8 17 — 52
MID-PACIFIC—Brian Chung 2, Daniel Florenco 0, Brennan O’Connell 1, Kyle Husslein 16, Tyler Yamachika 0, Kenneth Colombe 0, Justin Daise 2, Benjamin Swanson 0, Ryan Swanson 7, Gavin Nishizawa 0, Jacob Murray 4.
KAMEHAMEHA—Noa Kinimaka 8, Javen Sablay 7, Kayson Smith-Bejgrowicz 5, Noah Sua-Godinet 2, Austin Gerard 15, Makana Harrison 4, Kamal Olowofoyeku 7, Kody Chai 2, Thordan Latu 0, Alaka‘i Freitas 2.
3-point goals—Mid-Pacific 2 (Husslein, R. Swanson). Kamehameha 4 (Kinimaka 2, Gerard 2).
ILH DIVISION BOYS
University 41, Le Jardin 32
Anthony Canencia put up 14 points to lead the Jr. ’Bows (4-2) over the Bulldogs (0-6), who were led by Juliun Perkins’ 11 points.
Line score not reported.
At Le Jardin
UNIVERSITY—Chris Meyer 8, E. Leung 0, Anthony Canencia 14, Colin Lee 0, Josh Akamine 0, R.J. Realubit 9, Milton Politano 0, Ryan Kaleikini 8, Matt Lee 0, Sean Mahiko 0, Reece Alvarado 2.
LE JARDIN—Jeremy Yurow 0, Mitchell Hashimoto 0, Michael Gabrelcik 3, Alex Tatum 4, Tristan Watts 0, S. Regan 0, Corey Grip 0, Juliun Perkins 11, Nicholas Vinsonhaler 5, Dillan Van Ness 6, Jacob Blaskowski 0, Johnson Le 3.
3-point goals—University 1 (Meyer). Le Jardin 1 (Van Ness).
ILH DIVISION I GIRLS
No. 5 ‘Iolani 45, Mid-Pacific 40
Abrianna Johnson-Edwards scored 12 points and helped the Raiders hold off the Owls.
Kiki Robertson scored a game-high 21 points for Mid-Pacific.
At Mid-Pacific
‘Iolani (7-2) 4 19 13 9 — 45
Mid-Pacific (2-7) 9 8 9 14 — 40
‘IOLANI—Shayla Pua Kahalehoe 9, Klein Masutani 2, Brooke Maeda 0, Sierra Buscher 3, Lindsey Combs 1, Abrianna Johnson-Edwards 12, Sunshine Saucedo 0, Alyssa Liilii 0, Alex Masaquel 9, Taimane Passi 6, Jade Botelho 3.
MID-PACIFIC—Emma Krening 1, Alexe Navarro 6, Kamalei Lyons 1, Kiki Robertson 21, Rebecca Martin 6, Pua Kanekoa 2, Courtney Tom 3.
3-point goals—‘Iolani 5 (Kahalehoe 3, Buscher, Johnson-Edwards). Mid-Pacific 3 (Robertson 2).
ILH DIVISION II GIRLS
La Pietra 36, St. Andrew’s 11
Marina Sewell posted 16 points as the Panthers picked up their first win of the season over The Pride.
At La Pietra
St. Andrew’s (0-10) 2 2 4 3 — 11
La Pietra (1-8) 11 9 14 2 — 36
ST. ANDREWS—Rachel Tamashiro 7, Megan Ho 2, Lindsey Ancog 0, Kallie Chang 0, Amber Tajiri 2, Kailee Shiraishi 0, Sylvanna Henen 0, Rachel Yoshida 0.
LA PIETRA—Veloniqa Taniguchi 0, Kaylene Kiana Hoohuli 4, Gabrielle Mark 0, Napua Lum 4, Chelsea Cypress 2, Marina Sewell 16, Nikki Nguyen 2, Marissa Hoen 8.
3-point goals—St. Andrew’s none. La Pietra 2 (Sewell 2).
Hawaii Baptist 54, Kamehameha II 43
Jenee Brown’s 13 points, including three treys, helped the Eagles down the Warriors.
Line score not reported.
HAWAII BAPTIST—Rylie Wada 7, Jaryn Ramos 6, Sara Utsugi 0, Torie Miyoi 0, Jennifer Gonsalves 7, Stephanie Dang 6, Nicole Lopes 2, Hailey Chong 0, Jenee Brown 13, Hayley Dixon 8, Kelsey Bajet 1, Dominique Hart 0, Lauren Sumida 2, Kainani Gruspe 0, Megan Horita 2, Kaily Lum 0.
KAMEHAMEHA II—Kylie Leong 7, Lilia Castillon 0, Taylin Perreira 2, Andie Hoshijo 0, Jordikai Watanabe-Inouye 1, Raquel-Justice Simeona-Velez 2, Katherine Shun-Gilmour 0, Sanoe Kaohelaulii 16, Lindsey Mok 15.
3-point goals—Hawaii Baptist 7 (Brown 3, Dixon 2, Gonsalves, Wada). Kamehameha II 1 (Leong).
Le Jardin 58, Hanalani 52
Sarah Liva put away 35 points for the Royals, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a solid second half by the Bulldogs.
At Le Jardin
Hanalani (7-3) 13 13 12 14 — 52
Le Jardin (5-4) 7 14 19 18 — 58
HANALANI—Lyna Kehler 8, Catherine Armstrong 1, Brittany Williams 0, L. Hee 0, Dylan McCorquodale 6, Kara Tanaka 2, Sarah Liva 35.
LE JARDIN—Nicole Caspers 0, Jasmine Baginski 4, Renee Van Bergeijk 14, Michelle Takenaka 0, Kelly Kuchenbecker 16, Dana Kim 0, Jordan Gonzales 4, Stephanie Ramos 10, Kacey Kuchenbecker 0, Taylor Valentine 10.
3-point goals—Hanalani 1 (McCorquodale). Le Jardin 1 (Kelly Kuchenbecker).
Wednesday’s late results
No. 2 Kamehameha 66, No. 7 Maryknoll 57
At Maryknoll
KAMEHAMEHA (9-0) 7 17 23 19 — 66
MARYKNOLL (4-5) 11 9 17 20 — 57
KAMEHAMEHA—Breann Nueku 11, Kea Ryder 7, Tori-Jean Cambra 3, Kanoe Marks-Mahoe 2, Shelbey Cadinha-Oku 0, Alohi Robins-Hardy 19, Tiare Kanoa 11, Puuwainui Ah-Puck 1, Lilia Maio 10, Makana Aleki 2.
MARYKNOLL—Alexis Delovio 8, Maile Goodin 0, Maya Rodriguez-Chang 0, Crystie Wong 6, Maia Laboy 18, Cianna Ochoco 6, Kaile Cambra 0, Kayla Augustin 6, Lindsey Lee 1, Siena Shupe 2, Maegen Martin 10, Kylie Teramoto 0.
3-point goals—Kamehameha 1 (Nueku). Maryknoll none.
