Kam propels No. 2 Punahou

J.B. Kam scored 17 points as No. 2 Punahou edged No. 5 ‘Iolani 55-47 on Saturday night at the Raiders’ gym.

Punahou improved to 4-0 in ILH play and ‘Iolani slipped to 2-2. The Buffanblu remain in sole possession of first place coming off this week’s wins over ‘Iolani and Saint Louis. 

Dayson Watanabe dished eight assists and scored eight points for the Buffanblu, who ran when they could but often preferred to be deliberate against the much taller Raiders. 

"We played with a lot of patience and poise on offense," Buffanblu coach Darren Matsuda said. "Usually, (mid-range) shots are our shots, but against a team like ‘Iolani, we want to be more patient." 

Zack Gelacio led ‘Iolani with 12 points. 

"We’re still trying to figure ourselves out," Raiders coach Dean Shimamoto said. "We saw some good things. Hugh (Hogland) was assertive. Robby (Mann) was attacking the boards. We had a lot of fight there." 

‘Iolani had a 15-14 edge on the boards during a night when both teams shot just over 50 percent from the field. 

Kam was a key figure, drawing his second personal foul moments after the visitors zoomed to a 15-2 lead in the first quarter. Punahou’s full-court pressure throttled the Raiders for a spell; ‘Iolani had six of its nine turnovers in the opening quarter. 

After Kam went to the bench, however, the Raiders seized momentum, while Punahou settled for contested mid-range shots. 

A 15-3 run, sparked by consecutive 3-pointers by Gelacio, brought ‘Iolani within 24-23 by halftime. Guard Bryson Hamada scored six points during the comeback. 

"We got comfortable with a good lead and we stopped attacking the rim," said Kam, a 6-3 swingman. 

The Raiders took their only lead, 25-24, on a layup by Mann to start the second half. After Kam nailed an NBA-range 3 from the top, Punahou never trailed again. ‘Iolani shot 3-for-10 from the field in the third quarter and Kanawai Noa sparked Punahou with back-to-back fast-break layups as the Buffanblu opened the lead to nine points. 

With Punahou content to run its motion offense and chew large chunks of time off the clock, the lead stretched to 44-33 after two foul shots by ‘Akahi Troske with 2:52 left. The Raiders got within 46-40 after a corner 3 by Pikai Winchester, but they got no closer. 

Watanabe hit four free throws and Noa added another as Punahou closed the game with a 6-2 mini-run. 

Noa, an All-State wide receiver and commit to Cal, was a factor. The 6-1 senior battled on the boards, ran the break and covered big posts and point guards from start to finish. 

"His defense and rebounding helped a lot. He had one huge rebound over Hugh in the fourth quarter," Matsuda said of the battle against ‘Iolani’s 6-8 sophomore center. "A lot of it is Kanawai’s effort. He loves that role." 

Punahou has six games left in ILH regular-season play. The first-place finisher earns an automatic state berth, one of just two slots allotted to the league. 

"We can’t get too comfortable. All the teams in the ILH can beat each other," Kam said. "We’ve got to keep playing hard and not underestimate any team." 

PUNAHOU–Randon Oda 0, Jordan Tanuvasa 8, Chris Kobayashi 0, Micah Ma’a 8, J.B. Kam 17, Dayson Watanabe 8, Kala’i Santos 3, Kanawai Noa 5, Jared Lum 0, Akahi Troske 6.

‘IOLANI–Helam Baldomero 0, Justin Genovia 0, Robby Mann 8, Zach Gelacio 12, Bryson Hamada 8, Shane Lay 0, Erik Yamada 4, John Lee 2, Pikai Winchester 4, Kamu Borden 2, Hugh Hogland 7.

3-point goals–Punahou 5 (Tanuvasa 2, Kam 2, Santos). ‘Iolani 3 (Gelacio 2, Winchester). 

No. 8 Maryknoll 59, Kamehameha 47

Justice Sueing Jr. scored 22 points and Brian Washington added 10 as the Spartans picked up their first league victory of the season.

Kamehameha’s Fatu Sua-Godinet finished with 19 points.

MARYKNOLL–Isaiah Gelacio 4, Jordyn Perez 2, Jaylen Cain 2, Darin Miyamoto 0, Calvin Koo 9, Hayato Kamata 6, Justice Sueing Jr. 22, Kaulana Schmidt 4, Matt McGivern 0, Brian Washington 10.

KAMEHAMEHA–Jayden Zarriello 2, Saint Gelacio 0, Noah Gelacio 8, Kekaula Kaniho 0, Kainalu Martin 3, Fatu Sua-Godinet 19, Kaeler Kahana 5, Devin Mau 0, Kobe Young 0, Peter Hanohano-Hashimoto 0, Kumoku Noa 0, Pono Arias 8, Cade Pedro 2.

3-point goals–Maryknoll 4 (Koo 2, Sueing, Schmidt). Kamehameha 1 (Kahana).

ILH DIVISION II BOYS

Damien 61, St. Francis 51

Rocky Mori netted 19 points and Kapi King chipped in 16 as the Monarchs fended off the Saints.

DAMIEN–Rocky Mori 19, Shawn Apiki 5, Kapi King 16, Kobe Ikari 8, Reggie Luinoras 2, Kolin Galdiano 10, Brandon Galang 1.

ST. FRANCIS–Individual scorers not reported.

3-point goals–Damien 2 (Galiano, Ikari). St. Francis none reported.

Also

Hawaii Baptist 64, Le Jardin 55, 2OT

ILH DIVISION III BOYS

Island Pacific 76, Hawaiian Mission 49

John Black led four players in double figures with 17 points to help the Navigators remain undefeated.

ISLAND PACIFIC–Brian Arde 13, Micaiah Lum 0, Michael Brenner 0, Dustin Agbayani 0, Jake Arakawa 11, Ryan Posiulai 6, John Black 17, Robert Roy 1, Jediah Conachan 0, Kaipo Orosco 6, Mana Kaululaau 15, Giovannin de Lugo 3, Tomo Arai 0, Casey Nakamura 4.

HAWAIIAN MISSION–Andrew Yamada 2, Reid Kim 7, Logan Earles 11, Richard Domingo 8, Caleb Miller 7, John Saldevar 0, Daniel Saldevar 0, Chriss Chang 3, Austin Ramos 3, Fisher Yu 5, Alan Sison 0, Jeff Yamada 3, DJ Woo 0, Ethan Cababat 0.

3-point goals–Island Pacific 11 (Kaululaau 5, Arde 3, Black, Nakamura, de Lugo). Hawaiian Mission 2 (Earles, Yu).

ILH DIVISION I GIRLS

No. 4 Maryknoll 55, No. 9 ‘Iolani 42

Maegan Martin recorded 16 points and Kaile Cambra scored 12 as the Spartans defeated the Raiders. 

‘IOLANI–Kristen Ahn 3, Sheyla Kahalehoe 7, Kellie Okamura 0, Emily Nomura 8, Brooke Maeda 8, Sierra Buscher 7, Kelsi Ikeda 0, Lindsey Combs 3, Camy Aguinaldo 5, Jessica Otsu 0, Aubrie Usui 1, Sunshine Saucedo 0, Skylar Nakata 0.  

MARYKNOLL–Kayla Agustin 0, Amber Bustamante 0, Kaile Cambra 12, Isabella Cravens 4, Lexi Delovio 2, Kehau Gilliland 0, Lindsey Lee 3, Maegen Martin 16, Chayse Milne 6, Moe Notoa 4, Sierra Murobayashi 0, Ysabelle Halemano 0, Rhianne Omori 8, Maile Pang 0, Georjette Stietzel 0.

3-point goals–‘Iolani 7 (Kahalehoe 2, Ahn, Nomura, Maeda, Buscher, Aguinaldo). Maryknoll 4 (Cambra 2, Omori, Lee). 

No. 8 Kamehameha 41, No. 5 Punahou 32 

The Warriors upended the Buffanblu on the strength of 10 points from Kiana Vierra and nine from Breann Nueku.

Tyra Moe paced Punahou with a game-high 17 points.

PUNAHOU–Lexie Taylor 0, Heaven Wong 2, Abigail Aplaca 4, Va’e Malufau 4, Elle Uyeda 5, Tyra Moe 17, Emi Pua’a 0, Sunny Rosario 0, Asla Olivieri 0, McKenna Granato 0.

KAMEHAMEHA–Breann Nueku 9, Starr Richardson 0, Mikiala Maio 8, Cassidy Keola 0, Makana Aleki 7, Rylee Kauahikaua 2, Krista Matsumura 2, Jewel Paaluhi-Caulk 3, Kiana Vierra 10.

3-point goals–Punahou none. Kamehameha 3 (Vierra 2, Nueku).    

Mid-Pacific 32, Sacred Hearts 29

Ciera Kameehonua scored 17 points to lead the Owls over the Lancers. 

Pakalana Kam scored 13 points for Sacred Hearts.

Each team had only four players score points. 

MID-PACIFIC–Harley Simon 5, Lia Nakamoto 2, Ciera Kameehonua 17, Judy Phan 8.

SACRED HEARTS–Zoey Yamamoto 5, Jocelyn Chen 3, Pakalana Kam 13, Jessica Haneshiro 8. 

ILH DIVISION II GIRLS

University 37, St. Francis 30

Brenna Dela Rosa and Kyra Young each scored nine points as the Jr. ‘Bows beat the Saints.

St. Francis’ Lacey Satele hit three 3-pointers and finshed with 13 points.

ST. FRANCIS–Lacey Satele 13, Nani Santos 8, Misiona Ribeiro 4, Skye Ah Yat 3, Kelli Okubo 2, Chasey Abrams 0, Rya Ornong 0, Kahili Liu-Hanohano 0, Briana Nakagawa 0, Dayna Romero 0.

UNIVERSITY–Brenna Dela Rosa 9, Kyra Young 9, Markayisha Masani 7, Jocelyn Ki 5, British Dawson 4, Karley Ann Yoshioka 3, Malialani Parpana 0, Addie Ortiz 0, Tioledoauli Posiulai 0.

3-point goals–St. Francis 3 (Satele 3). University none. 

Damien 62, Le Jardin 45

Melina Souza poured in 26 points and drained three 3-pointers as the Monarchs downed the Bulldogs.

Morgan Pelkey led Le Jardin with 20 points.

LE JARDIN–Naya Tadaki 4, Michelle Takenaka 2, Sarah Wong 5, Morgan Pelkey 20, Kacey Kuchenbecker 14. 

DAMIEN–Kelsey Perreria 4, Kaylee Cruz 9, Karly Navas 14, Montana Carter 1, Kilinoe Gora 2, Catherine Votovich 6, Melina Souza 26.

3-point goals–Le Jardin 3 (Kuchenbecker 2, Pelkey). Damien 7 (Navas 4, Souza 3).

Also

Hawaii Baptist 58, St. Andrew’s 12

MIL girls

Varsity girls

Lanai 34, Seabury Hall 31

Leading scorers–Lan: Claire Vila 9, Tyana Soberano-Foster 8. Sea: Anastasia Lavongtheung 9, Aria Dimatino 8.