If there’s a peak ahead in Kamehameha’s season, it might have begun this week.
Coming off a stunning overtime win over No. 2 ‘Iolani, the Warriors pulled off another stunner, beating No. 1 Punahou 48-45 on Friday night.
The Buffanblu had four shots from 3-point range in the final 40 seconds but missed them all, including a 22-foot attempt from the left wing by Dayson Watanabe at the buzzer that was short.
A fiery crowd of about 400 at Kekuhaupio Gym saw No. 7 Kamehameha improve to 4-3 in ILH play (16-7 overall). Punahou dropped to 5-2 in league play (20-2), leaving a few Maryknoll players in attendance applauding during the game and shaking the hands of Kamehameha players afterward.
Maryknoll (5-1) assumed first place in the league thanks to the Warriors’ win.
"We’re not worried about the standings. We’re just taking it one game at a time," said Kamehameha guard Noa Kinimaka, who scored 14 points.
Jaycob Smith led Kamehameha with 17 points, including eight in the pivotal third quarter. Kayson Smith-Bejgrowicz added a game-high 15 rebounds.
"This game, I really tried to focus on defensive rebounds. We had to control their second-chance shots," Smith-Bejgrowicz said.
The league is, as always, a series of chess matches between some of the state’s top roundball gurus. The Warriors unveiled their halfcourt version of the 2-1-2 press for the first time.
"They only turned it over once, maybe twice, but the key thing for us is it took away from them," Kamehameha coach Greg Tacon said. "It’s something that when you’re in this league, after you get your lunches handed to you the first time, you have to do something the second time. We’re just trying to get Punahou out of rhythm. … Once they get something going and that athleticism comes out, we can’t play with them."
Punahou coach Darren Matsuda credited the Warriors.
"There was not a lot of flow, a real choppy game. Kamehameha got a lot of boards on us and we seemed to play a little lethargic," he said. "It’s a game we’re going to have to learn from. … They were pretty physical and did a good job of guarding on switches."
The home team trailed 21-11 in the second quarter and cut it to three points by intermission. The lead changed hands five times in the third, but Kamehameha got a 3-point bomb from Smith before the buzzer for a 39-34 lead.
Punahou roared back with an
8-0 run to take a 42-39 lead. Kamehameha regained momentum with a 9-0 run, going back to the 2-1-2 halfcourt press to stifle the normally speedy Buffanblu.
After Smith hit two foul shots, the Warriors led 48-42 with 1:02 left.
Watanabe, who had a team-high 13 points, drove for a tough layup, and later hit one of two free throws to cut it to 48-45 with 40 seconds left. But Punahou could draw no closer.
Daniel Andrews added six points and 14 rebounds for Punahou.
| At Kekuhaupio Gym |
| Punahou (5-2) |
10 |
13 |
11 |
11 |
— |
45 |
| Kamehameha (4-3) |
8 |
12 |
19 |
9 |
— |
48 |
PUNAHOU–Daniel Andrews 6, Chris Kobayashi 0, Blake Wade 0, Dayson Watanabe 13, Justin Kam 10, Randon Oda 2, Micah Ma’a 9, Kalai Santos 0, Kanawai Noa 5.
KAMEHAMEHA–Noa Kinimaka 14, Alakai Freitas 5, Kayson Smith-Bejgrowicz 4, Fatu Sua-Godinet 6, Jaycob Smith 17, Jordan Paulo 0, Nakoa Pauole 2.
3-point goals–Punahou 5 (Kam 2, Watanabe 2, Noa). Kamehameha 5 (Smith 3, Kinimaka 1, Sua-Godinet 1).
No. 2 ‘Iolani 63, Mid-Pacific 40
Zach Buscher scored 18 points and Ikaika Phillip added 14 to lead the Raiders over the Owls. Kyle Husslein scored 16 for the Owls.
| At Mid-Pacific gym |
| ‘Iolani (5-2) |
11 |
19 |
12 |
21 |
— |
63 |
| MPI (0-7) |
8 |
14 |
12 |
6 |
— |
40 |
‘IOLANI–Zach Buscher 18, Ikaika Phillip 14, Pikai Winchester 7, Zach Gelacio 7, Erik Yamada 5, Kamu Borden 4, Robbie Mann 4, Chris Gallacher 2, John Lee 2, Shane Lay 0, Bryson Hamada 0.
MID-PACIFIC–Kyle Husslein 16, Justin Daise 4, Daniel Florenco 5, Burson Wang 4, Andrew Kargol 2, Den Suehiro 7, Mycah Lee 0, Benjamin Swanson 0, Ken Colombe 2.
3-point goals–‘Iolani 1 (Winchester). MPI 1 (Florenco).
OIA RED BOYS
Radford 59, Nanakuli 43
Derrick McLamore scored 14 points and Aaron Jackson added 10 to lead the Rams over the Golden Hawks. Iverson Sione scored 11 points for Nanakuli.
| At Radford gym |
| Nanakuli (0-9) |
2 |
10 |
17 |
14 |
— |
43 |
| Radford (5-2) |
11 |
11 |
22 |
15 |
— |
59 |
NANAKULI–Kale Kanehailua 3, Kamaua Van Geison 1, Iverson Sione 11, Josh Lincoln 10, Lyle Tuilema 5, Louis Hulama 2, Kealii Awong 0, Jason Salvador 3, Eric Auhhon-Kaawa 8.
RADFORD–Jordin Pacheco 4, Malcolm Hill 4, Khristian Ebreo 0, Francis Villejo 0, Tobias Powell 7, Derrick McLamore 14, Khristopher Ebreo 2, Trevon Hinkel 3, LaToine Thompson 3, Absolom Henry 8, Izaiah Lavatai 0, Aaron Jackson 10, Kendall Bryant 4
3-point goals–Radford 5 (Hill, Powell, McLamore, Thompson, Henry). Nanakuli 4 (Lincoln 2, Kanehailua 1, Sione 1).
Junior varsity–Radford 62, Nanakuli 45
Also
MIL VARSITY BOYS
Lanai 59, St. Anthony 47
OIA RED GIRLS PLAYOFFS
No. 10 Leilehua 46, Kahuku 39
Jerri Maluyo and Tiffany Rehyer scored 12 points apiece to lead the Mules over the Red Raiders in a consolation game. Leilehua hosts Radford in Wednesday’s fifth-place game. The teams earned the league’s final two berths to the Division I state tournament.
| At Leilehua gym |
| Kahuku (6-6) |
10 |
6 |
6 |
17 |
— |
39 |
| Leilehua (9-2) |
9 |
18 |
3 |
16 |
— |
46 |
KAHUKU–Taimane Avei 2, Eleni Beatty 5, Naia Leitupo-Asuao 0, Kela Schwenke 0, Sofia Tonga 8, Adora Anae 10, Talia Brown 0, Cybil Cravens 0, Laken Teo 2, Mariah Berard-Kamakeeaina 1, Sinamoni Tonga 11.
LEILEHUA–Chloe Pojas 2, Tatiana Carvallo 2, Jerri Maluyo 12, Tywanna Abbott 11, Chyel Palmer 7, Tiffany Reyher 12, Mere McKenzie 0, Azah Quach 0.
3-point goals–Kahuku 3 (Sofia Tonga 2, Beatty ). Leilehua 2 (Reyher 2).
Radford 39, Nanakuli 36
Jasmine Moody scored 18 points as the Rams held off the Golden Hawks in a consolation game. Precious Paulo-Meyers scored nine points for the Golden Hawks.
| At Radford gym |
| Radford (7-5) |
11 |
11 |
4 |
13 |
— |
39 |
| Nanakuli (8-4) |
5 |
10 |
12 |
9 |
— |
36 |
RADFORD–Chloe Slocomb 2, Courtney McCreary 0, Kristin Abad 0, Jazmin Peralta 7, Jasmine Moody 18, Tierney Porter 0, Jessyca Wofford 4, Deja Tavale 6, Sydnee Wynn 2.
NANAKULI–Alana Nuuanu 0, Angelica Chun-Fook 0, Jade Marfil 3, Keanani Chai 0, Tianna Hanohano 8, Alexis Paulo-Meyers 8, Precious Paulo-Meyers 9, Renise Laa 8.
3-point goals–Radford none. Nanakuli none.
OIA WHITE GIRLS PLAYOFFS
Farrington 57, Castle 40
Penina Faumui scored 25 points and Jeneva Toilolo added 16 to lead the Governors over the Knights in a semifinal game. Farrington will play Kalani in Wednesday’s White championship game at Radford. Farrington and Kalani also earned berths to the Division II state tournament.
Castle, led by Sierra Koki’s 18 points, faces Campbell in the third-place game on Wednesday, with the winner receiving the third and final berth to states.
| At Farrington gym |
| Castle (5-7) |
6 |
10 |
8 |
16 |
— |
40 |
| Farrington (8-3) |
13 |
8 |
22 |
14 |
— |
57 |
CASTLE–Shaney Tiumalu 6, Darrien Dacosin 2, Sierra Koki 18, Briana Hidalgo 2, Asia Almedia 4, Cheyenne Espinda 0, Sheastel Tiumalu 2, Chassi Silva-Santiago 0, Kiarra Tilton 1, Kaylee Ishii 3, Sydney Fernandez 2.
FARRINGTON–Leah Ramos 0, Hazel Artates 2, Nani Cabato-Machado 3, Megan Aguinaldo 2, Jessica Zane , Gehraniah Tulba 2, Arabelle Dela Cruz 0, Tiare Medeiros 0, Erin Perry 0, Penina Faumui 25, Jeneva Toilolo 16, Brittaney Savusa 0, Chantal Mailou 1, Lokelani Pacheco 1, Moli Heimuli 5.
3-point goals–Castle 1 (Ishii). Farrington 1 (Cabato-Machado).
Kalani 72, Campbell 53
Samantha Shizuru scored 15 points and Taili Iinuma added 12 points as the Falcons defeated the Sabers to advance to the White championship game.
Ricka Jackson and Brandy Contrades led Campbell with 13 points apiece.
| At Campbell gym |
| Kalani (6-6) |
20 |
28 |
9 |
15 |
— |
72 |
| Campbell (3-8) |
11 |
10 |
11 |
21 |
— |
53 |
KALANI–Carly Kakuda 11, Riley Kishaba 5, Sydnee Kishaba 8, Andrea Ching 0, Tristyn Nishibun 6, Taili Iinuma 12, Kassidy Misaki 2, Samantha Shizuru 15, Jessica Bock 0, Shandlynn Willing 5, Taylor Murai 6, Fane Harris 0, Noelle Suzuki 0, Julia Lee 2.
CAMPBELL–Cydney Curran 6, Jenavee Tago-Su’e 0, Charis Curran 5, Tristen Dulay 0, Sabrina Marzan 11, Brandy Contrades 13, Jessica Samate 1, Shyanna Fernandez 2, Julia Ernst 2, Ricka Jackson 13, Sierra Mariano 0.
3-point goals–Kalani 9 (Iinuma 3, Nishibun 2, Shizuru 2, R. Kishaba, Kakuda). Campbell 6 (Jackson 3, Marzan 2, Charis Curran).
ILH DIVISION II GIRLS
St. Francis 62, Kamehameha II 52
Lacey Satele scored 20 points and Alissa Pacarro added 19 as the Saints beat the Warriors. Nalani-Tearsjah Aipoalani-Tuaoi-Tootoo led Kamehameha with 25 points.
| At Kekuhaupio Gym |
| St. Francis (8-0) |
17 |
13 |
18 |
14 |
— |
62 |
| Kamehameha (4-5) |
12 |
14 |
16 |
10 |
— |
52 |
ST. FRANCIS–Kelli Okubo 2, Alissa Pacarro 19, Hunter Roberts 9, Natashya Enos 0, Rya Omong 0, Tayler Bellevou 8, Kahili Liu 2, Lacey Satele 20, Chasey Abrams 2, Dayna Romero 0.
KAMEHAMEHA II–Kylie Leong 6, Taylin Perreira 5, Kealani Browne 0, Andie Hoshijo 0, Janae-Michaela Hayworth 0, Breelyn Clark 4, Kiana Burnett 6, Nalani-Tearsjah Aipoalani-Tuaoi-Tootoo 25, Lindsey Mok 6, Katherine Shun Gilmour 0, Heaven Rodrigues 0
3-point goals–SF 2 (Satele 2). Kamehameha II none.
THURSDAY’S ILH GIRLS
Mid-Pacific 54, Sacred Hearts 52
| At Sacred Hearts |
| MPI (1-9) |
15 |
11 |
14 |
14 |
— |
54 |
| SHA (1-8) |
8 |
8 |
17 |
19 |
— |
52 |
MID-PACIFIC–Harley Simon 11, Lia Nakamoto 9, Emma Krening 2, Kerry Ellen Chun 2, Kayla Muraoka 0, Judy Phan 2, Emily Ma 2, Pua Kanekoa 20, Courtney Tom 6.
SACRED HEARTS–Tiare Libarios-Moses 7, Keala Rutkowski 11, Hoku Rutkowski 0, Kamea Ross 0, Kaela Fiesta 4, Zoe-Ann Yamamoto 4, Seyeranne Lat 0, Jessica Hanashiro 2, Cirena Aiwohi 0, Erica Pagan 4, Celina Pagan 20.
3-point goals–Mid-Pacific 2 (Kanekoa 2). Sacred Hearts 2 (Pagan 2).
