Kapolei blows by Roosevelt, then blows out the candles
Kapolei's Toe Motu shot over Krystle Chung during last night's game at Kapolei. Motu scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the Hurricanes' victory.
The only thing brighter than the lightning flashes above Kapolei yesterday were the candles on Kaity Wills’ birthday cake.
The senior forward scored all eight of her points in the fourth quarter as No. 6 Kapolei broke open a close game for a 42-24 win over feisty Roosevelt last night at the Hurricanes’ gym.
"It’s a great birthday present from everybody to win our first playoff game," the 5-foot-9 senior said, moments after teammates sang "Happy Birthday" to her.
Toe Motu was a force in the paint with 15 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 9-for-10 from the free-throw line.
Kapolei, 18-2 and a perfect 12-0 in Oahu Interscholastic Association Red play during the regular season, will stay home as the West’s top seed to play Farrington tomorrow. Roosevelt will travel to play at Pearl City, also tomorrow.
"I feel good. It took us 11 seasons to beat this team, with or without Bobby," Kapolei coach Jesse Baugh said, referring to former Roosevelt coach Bobby Keanini, who is now at Chaminade. "Roosevelt is a former Division II state champion and has won (OIA Red) championships. I’m putting my hands together and thanking the Lord for that."
A boisterous crowd of about 300 saw Kapolei advance in the OIA’s double-elimination playoffs. Wills, who has already signed a letter of intent to play softball at Hawaii-Hilo, came through after going scoreless for three quarters.
With Kapolei clinging to a 24-22 lead, Wills scored on a feed from Kawehi Hagi and scored again on a pass from Tamar Rodrigues as the ‘Canes went on an 11-0 run. After Wills scored inside on a dish from Kayla Fuataga, Kapolei had a comfortable 35-22 lead with 4:42 remaining.
Roosevelt (7-10 overall) got no closer than 12 the rest of the way against the much taller ‘Canes. Point guard Krystal Jacobs, who baked the chocolate cake during her free period earlier in the day, served up solid ballhandling down the stretch against Roosevelt’s tight, man-to-man defensive pressure.
Kapolei dominated the battle for rebounds, 44-14. Rodrigues (seven points, nine boards), Hagi (five points, eight boards) and Fuataga (three and six) helped Kapolei put a lid on the visitors, who had only four offensive rebounds.
"Kapolei is big over the top. We tried to scramble on defense, but boxing out has always been a struggle for us," Roosevelt coach Hinano Higa said.
The ‘Canes played man defense, but sat back and let Roosevelt launch rather than get burned off the dribble. The Rough Riders, who traveled to Leilehua for a playoff win just 24 hours earlier, shot 4-for-23 from long range and just 16 percent from the field overall (7-for-44).
"They adjusted. They were smart to sit back in the paint," Higa added.
Fatigue proved to be a factor. Roosevelt shot 0-for-15 from the field in the final quarter.
For Kapolei, advancing in the playoffs was no given. One starter, Aija Johnson, moved to Iowa after the team beat Campbell on Dec. 30. It was a shock for the ‘Canes, who expected her to stay until the season was done.
Another starter sat out last night due to academic issues, and when Jacobs got into foul trouble in the first half, the Hurricanes looked like a heavyweight champ on the ropes. Roosevelt got a spark from guard Shana Kawakami, who played extensive minutes for the first time since suffering a fibula injury in the first week of preseason.
Kawakami swished three treys and finished with a team-high 11 points, but didn’t score after the midway point of the third quarter. Her leg, she said, was still a little sore.
Wills, a middle infielder and outfielder on the diamond, was no guarantee to step back into her role after suffering a scratched eye during the regular season. She had surgery and returned recently, showing no effects of the procedure. She grabbed seven rebounds to bolster Kapolei.
| Roosevelt | 5 | 8 | 9 | 2 | – | 24 |
| Kapolei | 8 | 8 | 8 | 18 | – | 42 |
ROOSEVELT- Noe Yoshioka 0, Breyana Dutro-Solomua 3, Caby Akana 0, Jolie Kawasaki 0, Shana Kawakami 11, Kira Arruda 0, Abcde Furuta-Harada 3, Cameo Tamala 0, Aimee Taniguchi 4, Emalia Schuman 0, Krystle Chung 1, Anuhea Kanealii 2.
KAPOLEI- Krystal Jacobs 3, Toe Motu 15, Kaity Wills 8, Noelle Garland 0, Paige Kaea 1, Carly Gaea 0, Kawehi Hagi 5, Annajean Souza 0, Kaitlynn Lanier 0, Tamar Rodrigues 7, Kayla Fuataga 3, Malia Folaumahina 0.
3-point goals-Roosevelt 4 (Kawakami 3, Taniguchi). Kapolei none.
OIA Red Girls Playoffs
Kahuku 64, No. 8 Kaiser 54
Joshy Noga scored eight of her 18 points in the second period and the Red Raiders beat the Cougars.
Fiatagata Tailele-Latu added 12 points and Rachel Tailele had 11 for Kahuku, which outscored Kaiser 19-12 in the second period.
Kahuku plays at Kaimuki tomorrow.
Meleana Adams scored 23 points for Kaiser, which will host Campbell tomorrow.
At Kaiser gym
| Kahuku | 10 | 19 | 12 | 23 | – | 64 |
| Kaiser | 10 | 12 | 12 | 20 | – | 54 |
KAHUKU- Fiatagata Tailele-Latu 12, Tihane Kamae 0, Seiko Schwenke 2, Kaylynn Latu 2, Keuhi Naeole 0, Rachel Tailele 11, Jaelynn Kaio 0, Jessica Falemalu 6, Temutisa Te’o 3, Allyson Te’o 4, Tyra Williams 3, Suva Tapusao 0, Manaia Afalava 0, Joshy Noga 18, Mata Tonga 2, Helena Nauahi 1, Pitisi Tualau 0.
KAISER- Micaela Bitanga 1, Kristi Arellano 0, Ona Simeona 2, Alissa Soong 3, Kiani Kaahaaina 0, Tiana Miyashiro 0, Celeste Tsutahara 0, Meleana Adams 23, Daryn Vorderbruegge 2, Shelby Pa 2, Ashley Soong 1, Makana Borden 3, Darcey Goulsby 13, Courtney Phillips 2, Kayla Soong 2.
3-point goals-Kahuku 3 (Falemalu 2, Tailele-Latu). Kaiser 2 (Adams 2).
No. 9 Farrington 52, Pearl City 42
Kirsten Liana scored 20 points and Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo hit four 3-pointers and finished with 12 as the Governors beat the Chargers.
Farrington will play at Kapolei tomorrow.
Pearl City’s Sabrina Angle scored 17 points and Shawna Angle added 13.
The Chargers will host Roosevelt tomorrow.
At Farrington gym
| Pearl city | 10 | 15 | 9 | 8 | – | 42 |
| FARRINGTON | 13 | 21 | 8 | 10 | – | 52 |
PEARL CITY- Sabrina Angle 17, Adrienne Jean Sylva 4, Shay Alterado 0, Rachel Look 0, Shawna Angle 13, Dani Magana 6, Tiari Walker 2, Robi Kami 0, Sierra Mendiola 0, Paulina Langi 0, Shawni Cayetano-Ramos 0, Tedi Espina 0.
FARRINGTON- Sierra-Marie Wong 5, Diena Peterson 0, Ashley Savusa 2, Peti Timoteo 0, Sallie Lazaro 0, Losa Foki 0, Chasity Scanlan-Sevao 9, Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo 12, Koleti Siliga 4, Kamalani Medeiros 0, Emilia Iopu 0, Cacharel Alualu 0, Kirsten Liana 20, Leilani Mageo-Pacheco 0, Lilo Aivao 0, Penina Faumui 0.
3-point goals-Pearl City 5 (Sab. Angle 3, Silva, Sha. Angle). Farrington 5 (Tatupu-Leopoldo 4, Wong).
Kaimuki 60, Campbell 47
Alison Pologa scored 13 of her 21 points in the first period, and Letisha Fa’asoa and Dejah Fa’asoa both finished with 12 as the Bulldogs beat the Sabers.
Kaimuki will host Kahuku tomorrow.
Cassie Ernst scored 20 points for Campbell, which will play at Kaiser tomorrow.
At Campbell gym
| KAIMUKI | 21 | 10 | 13 | 16 | – | 60 |
| CAMPBELL | 9 | 12 | 7 | 19 | – | 47 |
KAIMUKI- Nikki Vongprachanh 0, Connie Aikau 3, Luisa Moala 0, Alison Pologa 21, Krysta Yasui 2, Keana Paez 8, Letisha Fa’asoa 12, Dejah Fa’asoa 12.
CAMPBELL- Mariah Kelley 6, Antonette Labausa 3, Liza Bantolina 8, Chantay Samante 8, Kealohi Akiyama 2, Ipo Achiu 0, Cassie Ernst 20.
3-point goals-Kaimuki 3 (Pologa 3). Campbell 1 (Labausa).
OIA White Girls Playoffs
McKinley 46, Nanakuli 36
Tiare Sugui scored 17 points and Sybil Coryell added 12 as the Tigers beat the Golden Hawks.
Sugui and Coryell both made four 3-pointers for McKinley, which will play at Kalani tomorrow.
Nanakuli’s Jasmine Saole and Tiare Kaopua both scored 11 points.
At Nanakuli gym
| Mckinley | 15 | 3 | 16 | 12 | – | 46 |
| Nanakuli | 7 | 7 | 11 | 11 | – | 36 |
MCKINLEY- Mariz Navarro 0, Miranda Schmillen 0, Tiare Sugui 17, Yoon Ryu 2, Jordan Mills 2, Michan Luecke 5, Sybil Coryell 12, Hannah Yoo 8, Danielle Vu 0, Tino Mulitauaopele 0.
NANAKULI- Kirstie Rosa 7, Desha Kala 0, Jasmine Saole 11, Tiare Kaopua 11, Champagne Iokia-Padua 1, Queen Emma Sale 6, Noel Fernandez 0, Ututau Mapu 0, Kehaulani Silva 0, Stephanie Kalili 0, Vanalynn Niumata 0, Lorentina Tei 0.
3-point goals-McKinley 8 (Sugui 4, Coryell 4). Nanakuli 1 (Saole).
Waianae 38, Kalaheo 34
Leilani Atuatasi scored seven of her 15 points in the third period and Emily Simons added 10 points as the Seariders beat the Mustangs.
The Seariders will play at Radford tomorrow.
Jordy Smith hit five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points for Kalaheo, whose season came to an end.
At Kalaheo gym
| Waianae | 9 | 8 | 12 | 9 | – | 38 |
| Kalaheo | 4 | 10 | 11 | 9 | – | 34 |
WAIANAE- Maccyn Samisoni 4, Lacy Manuel 5, Emily Simons 10, Kaitlyn Kaahaaina 0, Brittany Perry 4, Leilani Atuatasi 15, Tiana Johnson 0.
KALAHEO- Kim Cavaco 2, Kaulu Perry 0, Gabby Clark 0, Tiffany Harada 7, Aysia Burnett 0, Jade Martins 4, Kawai Almeida 0, Jordy Smith 21.
3-point goals-Waianae 1 (Manuel). Kalaheo 6 (Smith 5, Harada).
ILH Division I Boys
No. 4 Punahou 64, Maryknoll 30
Four players scored in double figures for the Buffanblu in routing the Spartans.
DeForest Buckner, Luke Kaumatule and Nicholas Velasquez each had 12 points, while Malik Johnson added 10 for Punahou, which led 35-10 at the half.
Austin Gaskins had a game-high 14 points for Maryknoll.
At Hemmeter Fieldhouse
| maryknoll (1-5) | 6 | 4 | 8 | 12 | – | 30 |
| punahou (7-1) | 19 | 16 | 18 | 11 | – | 64 |
MARYKNOLL- Andrew Wu 0, Kekoa Welsh 0, Brandon Floyd 2, Tobias Powell 2, Johnny Mayer 2, Jason Calabrese 0, Kekiai Cashman-Fernandez 2, Austin Gaskins 14, Tufanua Iuvale 8.
PUNAHOU- Patrick O’Neill 0, Christopher McLaren 6, Malik Johnson 10, Kupono Fey 2, Nicholas Velasquez 12, Caden McAfee-Torco 0, Lowell Tong 5, DeForest Buckner 12, Jaren McCartney 0, Steven Lakalaka 5, Sean Gruebner 0, Bryan Matsukawa 0, Luke Kaumatule 12.
3-point goals-Maryknoll none. Punahou 3 (Velasquez 2, Tong).
Mid-Pacific 45, Saint Louis 42
Patrick Matthews scored 14 points and Shaun Dobovan added 12 as the Owls beat the Crusaders.
Saint Louis’ Acen Cabral scored 12 points and Nate Mantanona added 11.
At McCabe Gym
| MPI (3-4) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 15 | – | 45 |
| St Louis (2-4) | 9 | 7 | 9 | 17 | – | 42 |
MID-PACIFIC- Jordan Doi 1, Terrence Tenjoma 5, Trey Kubota 0, Shaun Dobovan 12, Matthew Ohtani 0, Tryston Fagarang 0, Patrick Matthews 14, Marcus Doe 2, Matthew Carland 2, Titus Failauga 9.
SAINT LOUIS- Quinn Arakawa 7, Acen Cabral 12, Nate Mantanona 11, Jaron Hall-Moniz 0, JV Caires 4, Max Botticelli 0, Jared Tomaszek 0, Iolana Akau 0, Kamalei Correa 8, Reeves Koehler 0.
3-point goals-Mid-Pacific 4 (Dobovan 2, Tenjoma, Matthews). Saint Louis 3 (Cabral, Arakawa, Mantanona).
