MPI soars past Maryknoll
Jordan Joy, left, and the Mid-Pacific girls basketball team wrap up a busy week with the championship of the St. Francis/Merv Lopes Classic.
Kiana Robertson of Mid-Pacific drove to the basket against Maryknoll in the championship of the Merv Lopes Classic. Robertson, named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, finished with eight points, four steals and four rebounds against the Spartans in a 45-38 win.
There was no answer for Kiana Robertson’s speed.
The Mid-Pacific guard swiped two steals during a key second-half run as the Owls flew past upset-minded Maryknoll 45-38 last night in the girls basketball final of the St. Francis/Merv Lopes Classic.
A crowd of about 300 watched at Manoa Valley Recreation Center. Robertson, a sophomore, finished with eight points, four steals and four rebounds while directing the Owls to the crown. Mid-Pacific, ranked No. 6 in the Star-Advertiser Top 10, is now 11-4 overall.
"We wanted to push the ball, but Maryknoll plays good defense, they hustle and they play hard," Owls coach Wes Masuda said. "We couldn’t get into our fast break. They took it away."
Taylor Babbitt amassed 11 points and 10 boards, and guard Ashley Yamachika finished with 10 points for MPI. Babbitt and Yamachika joined Robertson, the tourney Most Valuable Player, on the all-tournament team.
Maryknoll, one of the top teams in Division II of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, dropped to 12-2 overall despite a patient, resilient effort. Alexis Villa led the Lady Spartans with 14 points and Ashley Agcaoili added 13.
The Spartans fell behind by near-double-digit margins twice in the first half, but battled back and were within 23-20 at the break. They tried to press fullcourt midway through the third quarter, but the Owls went on a 12-6 run. Robertson scored six points in a row, including a bucket on a turnaround jumper in the low post, to give MPI a 37-28 lead.
Maryknoll pulled within 43-38 on a three-point play by Agacoli with 57 seconds to play, but it wasn’t enough. Thirteen turnovers, including five in the pivotal third quarter, proved insurmountable.
Mid-Pacific shot 2 percent from the field, but committed only four turnovers against Maryknoll’s man-to-man defense and fullcourt press.
MERV LOPES/ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL HOOPS CLASSIC
Girls
St. Francis 35, Le Jardin 26
Kamehameha-Hawaii 57, La Pietra 18
Mt. Douglas 41, Christian Academy 40
Leading scorers–StF: Tori Keliiaa 12. LJA: Siena Shupe 10. KSH: Katelynn Peleka-Kennedy 16. LP: Salote Lopes-Liutolo 12. MtD: Chloe Mead 11. CA: Rachel Tokuda 13.
ILH Division I Girls
No. 9 Kamehameha 61, Sacred Hearts 49
Kennedi Akana and Brachelle Nueku scored 11 points a piece as the Warriors defeated the Lancers.
Vanessa Freitas scored 15 points for Sacred Hearts in a losing effort.
At Kamehameha gym
| Sha (1-7) | 8 | 11 | 14 | 16 | — | 49 |
| Kamehameha (2-5) | 15 | 12 | 14 | 20 | — | 61 |
SACRED HEARTS–Tiare Libarios-Moses 0, Kara Vause 3, Brittney Mopas 4, Vanessa Freitas 15, Hunter Wilson-Pena 0, Bashalei Almadova 9, Anjela Kim 0, Erica Pagan 0, Celina Pagan 12, Naihe Paikai 6.
KAMEHAMEHA–Brooke Richard 0, Deja Tafiti 7, Manuhaaipo Noa 5, Krystal-Lei Mills 7, Brachelle Nueku 11, Taira Robins-Hardy 16, Kennedi Akana 11, Puuwainui Ah Puck 0, Lilia Maio 4.
3-point goals–Sacred Hearts 4 (Pagan 4). Kamehameha 2 (Tafiti, Robins-Hardy).
ILH Division II Girls
University 51, Le Jardin 35
Chanelle Maldonado hit six 3-pointers and scored a game-high 23 points to lead the unbeaten Junior ‘Bows over the winless Bulldogs.
Siena Shupe had 12 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocked shots for Le Jardin.
At Le Jardin gym
| University (9-0) | 9 | 11 | 10 | 21 | — | 51 |
| Le Jardin (0-9) | 2 | 4 | 11 | 18 | — | 35 |
UNIVERSITY–Anuhea Memea 7, Kimiki Matsuda-Lawrence 1, Kassandra Sanchez 0, Tiffany Ulep 0, Kianalei Machida 10, Querena Natividad 1, Skyler Chung-Ming 0, Bernadette Maumalanga 0, Crystal Wang 7, Channelle Maldonado 23, Janse Rasmussen 2, Ashlee Ai 0.
LE JARDIN–Kelsey Tanouye 6, Kea Olaso 0, Jasmine Baginski 1, Brianne Tabios 0, Wave Kaukeano 6, Jordan Gonzalez 0, Dana Kim 0, Makena McPherson 6, Siena Shupe 12, Taylor Valentine 4.
3-point goals–University 8 (Maldonado 6, Machida, Wang). Le Jardin 2 (Tanouye, Shupe).
Lutheran 33, La Pietra 24
The Lions outscored the Panthers 12-2 in the second period en route to their win.
Salote Lopes-Liutolo scored 11 points for La Pietra.
At La Pietra gym
| Lutheran (4-4) | 6 | 12 | 6 | 9 | — | 33 |
| La Pietra (2-9) | 11 | 2 | 2 | 9 | — | 24 |
LUTHERAN–Lexi Kaneshiro 4, Kayla Suganuma 0, Aja Komine 0, Kailyn Osaki 2, Kiana Tom 2, Vikatolia Naulu 8, Kaleihiwa Ah New 8, Kamalei Ah New 5, Briannah Cadiz 0, Aja Keyes 4.
LA PIETRA–Kiana Ho’ohuli 3, Angelina Ishiki 6, Veronica Thomas 0, Shalina Ishiki 0, Marina Sewell 4, Sarah Aref 0, Salote Lopes-Liutolo 11, Hiilei Horner 0, Jordan McDonald 0.
3-point goals–Lutheran 1 (Kaneshiro). La Pietra 1 (Hoohuli).
OIA Red West Girls
No. 8 Kapolei 61, Campbell 27
The Hurricanes controlled the boards and were productive on offense in their win over the Sabers.
Chantay Samantae scored 12 points for Campbell.
At Campbell gym
| Kapolei (11-0) | 14 | 14 | 21 | 12 | — | 61 |
| Campbell (7-4) | 1 | 8 | 3 | 15 | — | 27 |
KAPOLEI–Krystal Jacobs 6, Toe Motu 16, Noelle Garland 2, Paige Kaea 8, Carly Gaea 2, Kawehi Hagi 2, Aija Johnson 14, Tamar Rodrigues 6, Kayla Fuatago 5.
CAMPBELL–Antonette Labalusa 5, Liza Bantolina 5, Chantay Samante 12, Kealohi Akiyama 0, Robyn Padilla 0, C.J. Valeriano 0, Ipo Achiu 1, Cassie Ernst 4.
3-point goals–Kapolei none. Campbell none.
Junior varsity–Campbell 41, Kapolei 31
Pearl City 55, Waipahu 43
Sabrina Angle scored 24 points and Dani Magana added 11 as the Chargers defeated the Marauders.
Catrina Masaniai led Waipahu with 12.
At Waipahu gym
| Pearl City (7-4) | 13 | 15 | 16 | 11 | — | 55 |
| Waipahu (2-10) | 11 | 8 | 11 | 13 | — | 43 |
PEARL CITY— Sabrina Angle 24, Adrienne Jean Sylva 5, Dani Magana 11, Tiari Walker 10, Sierra Mendiola 5.
WAIPAHU–Patrisha Malala 11, Ana Batan 2, Sheryl Vermudez 0, Mika Pajas 9, Angie Siamanu 8, Nikki Puaa 1, Catrina Masaniai 12.
3-point goals–Pearl City 5 (Angle 4, Mendiola). Waipahu none.
Junior varsity–Waipahu 25, Pearl City 21
Leilehua 54, Aiea 28
Na Alii struggled, going scoreless in the first quarter, and couldn’t recover in their loss to the Mules.
Pomai Parker scored a game-high 18 to lead Leilehua.
At Aiea gym
| Leilehua (5-6) | 18 | 12 | 15 | 9 | — | 54 |
| Aiea (1-10) | 0 | 13 | 5 | 10 | — | 28 |
LEILEHUA–Mitzie Morales 0, Sydney Lee-Manzano 0, Summer Bastro 0, Pomai Parker 18, Precious Loi-on 0, Carissa McBride 9, Tiffany Reyher 11, Ruby Rodriguez 1, Brittany Carr 5, Marissa Stadtmueller 0, Shayla-Hyatt Guzman 0, Shajaira Briones 2, Mariah Ross 8.
AIEA–Ashlei Liilii 0, Celeste Fong 6, Ashlee Dulan 0, Kana Ogawa 1, Michlae Higa 0, Kaala Lepoldo 0, Macy Lautalo 3, Lauren Nagai 1, Taryn Hannemann 2, Francine Martinez 9, Czarina Kadokawa 2, Taylor Fetui 4, Brooke Taiese 0.
3-point goals–Leilehua 3 (Parker 2, McBride). Aiea 2 (Fong, Martinez).
Junior varsity–Leilehua 32, Aiea 17
OIA Red East Girls
No. 10 Kaiser 49, Roosevelt 43
The Cougars rallied from a 13-point deficit coming out of the second half to defeat the Rough Riders. Kaiser hit 16 of 20 free throws in the fourth quarter and played tougher defense in the second half to earn the win.
Roosevelt’s Kira Arruda scored a game-high 10 points. Kristi Arellano and Darcey Goulsby led Kaiser with nine each.
At Kaiser gym
| Roosevelt (4-7) | 10 | 13 | 5 | 15 | — | 43 |
| Kaiser (9-2) | 2 | 8 | 14 | 25 | — | 49 |
ROOSEVELT–Noe Yoshioka 0, Breyana Dutro-Solomua 8, Caby Akana 0, Jolie Kawasaki 0, Shawna Kawakami 0, Kira Arruda 10, Abcde Furuta-Harada 6, Cameo Tamala 2, Aimee Taniguchi 6, Emalia Schuman 2, Krystle Chung 7, Anuhea Kanealii 2.
KAISER— Micaela Bitanga 2, Kristi Arellano 9, Kiani Kaahaaina 3, Tiana Miyashiro 3, Meleana Adams 7, Daryn Vorderbruegge 8, Shelby Pa 4, Makana Borden 4, Darcey Goulsby 9, Courtney Phillips 0.
3-point goals–Roosevelt 5 (Arruda 2, Taniguchi 2, Dutro-Solomua). Kaiser 5 (Arellano 3, Kaahaaina, Vorderbruegge).
Junior varsity–Kaiser 58, Roosevelt 29
Moanalua 45, Kaimuki 43
Joanna Nicolas scored 17 points, including three 3-pointers, as Na Menehune defeated the Bulldogs.
Dejah Fa’asoa scored 14 points for Moanalua.
At Kaimuki gym
| Moanalua (3-8) | 15 | 12 | 5 | 13 | — | 45 |
| Kaimuki (6-5) | 12 | 4 | 17 | 10 | — | 43 |
MOANALUA–Lachae McColor 0, Kristy Tamashiro 0, Kiley Lau 2, Joanna Nicolas 17, Jasmine Funtanilla 3, Jaidon Rego 8, Isabelle Delgado 0, Sienna Antolin 0, Shantaeus Ramos-Dias 13, Leticia Colon 0, Kelci Quinabo 0, Jasmine Young-Gusman 2, Samara Hoe 0.
KAIMUKI–Connie Aikau 5, Alison Pologa 10, Krysta Yasui 4, Julia Soares 0, Keana Paez 4, Letisha Fa’asoa 4, Dejah Fa’asoa 14, Valarie Wilson 2.
3-point goals–Moanalua 3 (Nicolas 3). Kaimuki 5 (D. Fa’asoa 2, L. Fa’asoa, Aikau, Pologa).
Junior varsity–Moanalua 49, Kaimuki 30
OIA White Girls
Kailua 58, Waialua 40
Taylor Souza was hot from the field, dropping 31 points on the Bulldogs in the Surfriders’ win.
Ciara Balidoy led Waialua with 18 points.
At Waialua gym
| Kailua (3-8) | 14 | 19 | 15 | 10 | — | 58 |
| Waialua (1-9) | 8 | 10 | 8 | 14 | — | 40 |
KAILUA–Nani Daniluck 2, Malia Pearson 9, Jayna Hanawahine 6, Amanda Kaleo 3, Taylor Souza 31, Brianna Kassebeer 5, Kristina Pamauu 2.
WAIALUA–Ciara Balidoy 18, Raydeen Kobayashi-Kajiwara 6, Kaili Agabin 2, Joelle Haime 6, Chelsea Souza 8.
3-point goals–Kailua 2 (Souza 2). Waialua 2 (Kobayashi-Kajiwara 2).
Waianae 46, Anuenue 14
The Seasiders cruised past Na Koa, who struggled with just six players.
Brittany Perry led Waianae with 13 points, followed by Leilani Atuatasi with 11.
At Waianae gym
| Anuenue (0-11) | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | — | 14 |
| Waianae (4-6) | 15 | 18 | 6 | 7 | — | 46 |
ANUENUE–Kuulei Gante 3, Kahala Kaowili 3, Kaanoipua Reyes 2, Lahela Taua 6, Napua Silva 0, Anuhea Silva 0.
WAIANAE–Maccyn Samisoni 8, Lacy Manuel 6, Kaitlyn Kaahaaina 0, Brittany Perry 13, Emily Simons 0, Mary Keaulana-Riotutar 2, Leilani Atuatasi 11, Maile Awai-Cortado 0, Tiana Johnson 6.
3-point goals–Waianae 1 (Manuel).
Kalani 71, Kalaheo 47
The Falcons started the third period with a 10-0 run and finished the period with 33 points in their victory over the Mustangs.
Corie Kuia led Kalani with 28 points.
At Kalaheo gym
| Kalani (9-2) | 11 | 15 | 33 | 12 | — | 71 |
| Kalaheo (7-4) | 5 | 15 | 12 | 15 | — | 47 |
KALANI–Carly Kakuda 2, Corie Kuia 28, Rose Alama 2, Haley Omiya 10, Taylor Murai 7, Alex Salas 2, Kristi Belshe 8, Kaiana Iaea 3, Marissa Sumida 8, Tiani Maafala 1.
KALAHEO–Lindsey Unsell 7, Makani Kela 2, Kim Cauaco 2, Gabby Clark 4, Tiffany Harada 14, Jade Martins 4, Jordy Smith 14.
3-point goals–Kalani 5 (Sumida 2, Kuia, Omiya, Belshe). Kalaheo 3 (Harada 2, Smith).
Junior varsity–Kalani 41, Kalaheo 27
Radford 43, Nanakuli 29
Imani Wimbush scored 16 points to lead the Rams past the Golden Hawks. Jasmine Saole scored 13 for Nanakuli.
At Radford gym
| Nanakuli (7-3) | 11 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | 29 |
| Radford (10-0) | 11 | 14 | 8 | 10 | — | 43 |
NANAKULI–Kirstie Rosa 2, Jasmine Saole 13, Tiare Kaopua 2, Champagne Iokia-Padua 4, Queen Emma Sale 0, Ututau Mapu 0, Kehaulani Silva 6, Stephanie Kalili 0, Vanalynn Niumata 2, Lorentina Tei 0.
RADFORD–Faith Calimlim 0, Tyler Whitener 0, Korie Johnson 4, Kawai Page 0, Imani Wimbush 16, E’Lexeus Evans 2, Rachell Kapesi 6, Kelsey Bash 9, Jemory Castro 6, Sanoe Tuitele 0.
3-point goals–Nanakuli 2 (Saole, Iokia-Padua). Radford 1 (Bash).
