With their best player a bit rusty, the Punahou Buffanblu can only imagine the upside from here.
Punahou got balanced scoring and a flurry of breathtaking fast-break baskets en route to a 57-48 win Saturday night over Mid-Pacific.
Senior guard Reina Furuya scored 13 points and Turner Wong scored 11 to lead Punahou, which is now 2-0 in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu (5-0 overall).
"We have a lot of guard strength. In my mind, uptempo is where we want to be, like Moanalua’s boys," first-year head coach Kekoa Taliaferro said. "We want to be able to take our foot off the gas pedal, too. We’ve got speed and size, so we’re utilizing both."
Returning All-State guard Mysha Sataraka scored five of her seven points in the final quarter. Sataraka, who is also an elite softball player, dished out four assists in Punahou’s speedy transition offense. That, plus five rebounds, helped offset her cold shooting from the field (2-for-9) and the foul line
(3-for-6).
Punahou’s mostly seamless passing through three-plus quarters accounted for 20 assists on their 23 field goals. That made up for a rugged 31-point effort by MPI guard Kiki Robertson.
"Kiki Robertson, she’s an amazing athlete," Taliaferro said. "Just her will to get things done, I think, will help that them. They’re going to get better."
MPI, which lost to ‘Iolani to open league play on Tuesday, fell to 0-2 (2-4 overall).
A mostly polite crowd of about 150 at Mills Gym saw the visitors revert to a 2-3 zone and reel off a 9-0 run in the second quarter to break open a close game. After Furuya’s three-point play, Punahou led 29-16 late in the second quarter.
The Buffanblu went back to a man-to-man defense in the second half and took their biggest lead, 41-27, on a baseline jumper by sophomore Hailey Motooka. The Owls made a run in the final 36 seconds of the third quarter with two steals by Robertson, who cut the lead to 41-33 on a pair of free throws.
Punahou then got a big momentum boost on sophomore Keaupono Fey’s 3-point bomb at the buzzer.
"We didn’t draw that one up," Taliaferro said.
Fey, a 5-foot-11 forward, scored on a layup against the MPI’s fullcourt press to give Punahou a 13-point lead. The Buffanblu struggled at times, though, against the Owls press, committing five fourth-quarter turnovers.
Megan Kinoshita banked in a ridiculously tough runner in the lane, Robertson’s 22-footer bounced off the front of the rim and fell through, and sophomore Pua Kanekoa’s jumper kept MPI in the game. After Mikaela Limper hit a 12-foot baseline jumper, the Owls were within 50-42.
From there, Mid-Pacific went cold against Punahou’s man defense. Robertson’s drive for a three-point play got the Owls to 53-46 with 59 seconds remaining, and the Owls had ample opportunities after Punahou turnovers against the press.
Despite Punahou’s troubles at the foul line — 5-for-12 in the fourth quarter — MPI got no closer than seven the rest of the way.
The Buffanblu shot 47 percent from the field (23-for-49), including 5-for-11 from 3-point range.
MPI coach Wes Masuda had stressed rebounding and boxing out, particularly after the loss to ‘Iolani, but the Owls were outrebounded 38-19 edge by Punahou.
The Buffanblu got eight caroms from 6-foot sophomore Sydney Fanoga and seven from 6-1 volleyball standout Tai Manu-Olevao.
They also finished with 17 turnovers, while MPI had only five. The Owls shot 25 percent (16-for-63), including 2-for-22 from the arc. They did much better at the foul line (14-for-19).
Punahou finished 6-for-16 from the charity stripe.
The ILH’s five teams play a triple round-robin slate, 12 games in all.
At Mills Gym
| Punahou (2-0) |
15 |
16 |
13 |
13 |
— |
57 |
| Mid-Pacific (0-2) |
12 |
8 |
13 |
15 |
— |
48 |
PUNAHOU–Keaupono Fey 5, Avianna Finn 2, Hailey Motooka 7, Reina Furuya 13, Tai Manu-Olevao 2, Demi Coolen 2, Asia Olivieri 4, Turner Wong 11, Kaitlyn Waki 0, Mysha Sataraka 7, Sydney Fanoga 4.
MID-PACIFIC–Nicole Sato 0, Megan Kinoshita 2, Kayla Watanabe 0, Alexe Navarro 0, Kamalei Lyons 1, Mikaela Limper 4, Kiki Robertson 31, Becky Martin 0, Pua Kanekoa 10, Camille Ganahl 0.
3-point goals: Punahou 5 (Wong 2, Fey, Motooka, Furuya), MPI 2 (Robertson 2).
ILH DIVISION II
La Pietra 38, Lutheran 35
Salote Lopes-Liutolo scored 12 points as the Panthers rallied past the Lions.
Kaleihiwa Ah New had 12 points for Lutheran, which took a 31-26 lead into the fourth quarter.
At La Pietra
| La Pietra (1-1) |
6 |
10 |
10 |
12 |
— |
38 |
| Lutheran (0-2) |
12 |
6 |
13 |
4 |
— |
35 |
LA PIETRA–Kiana Ho’ohuli 2, Angelina Ishiki 4, Veronica Thomas 0, Marina Sewell 4, Marissa Hoen 9, Salote Lopes-Liutolo 12, Monique Smith 7, Jordan McDonald 0.
LUTHERAN–Lexi Kaneshiro 5, Kayla Suganuma 6, Kourtney Park 3, Vikatolia Naulu 6, Kaleihiwa Ah New 12, Jasmine Fong 0, Briannah Cadiz 3.
3-point goals–Lutheran 1 (Suganuma).
Maryknoll 53, Hanalani 39
Sophomore Cianna Ochoco and junior Crystie Wong scored 12 points each as the Spartans beat the Royals.
Senior Nicole Gonzalez had a game-high 21 points for Hanalani, hitting 13 of 14 free throws.
At Hanalani
| Maryknoll (2-0) |
13 |
9 |
18 |
13 |
— |
53 |
| Hanalani (1-1) |
6 |
10 |
6 |
17 |
— |
39 |
MARYKNOLL–Maile Goodin 2, Crystie Wong 12, Maia LaBoy 5, Alexis Villa 2, Kayla Augustin 4, Cianna Ochoco 12, Ashlee De Santos 8, Athena Adora 6, Maegen Martin 2.
HANALANI–Lyna Khelher 2, Catherine Armstrong 2, Brittany Williams 0, Sarah Hyde 0, Malia Boullion 2, Nicole Gonzalez 21, Sarah Liva 12.
Punahou II 52, Le Jardin 40
Amanda Labayog had nine of her team-high 13 points in the fourth quarter as the Buffanblu pulled away from the Bulldogs.
Kelly Kuchenbecker had a game-high 16 points for Le Jardin.
At Le Jardin
| Punahou II (1-1) |
6 |
13 |
16 |
17 |
— |
52 |
| Le Jardin (1-1) |
9 |
8 |
14 |
9 |
— |
40 |
PUNAHOU II–Staci Anne Mihara 0, Michelle San Luis 12, Whitney Sia 10, Tiare Teo 3, Arianna Hashimoto 2, Amanda Labayog 13, Juliet Von Rohr 2, Eden Teo 10.
LE JARDIN–Nicole Caspers 0, Kelly Buck 0, Jasmine Baginski 2, Olivia McCabe 6, Kelly Kuchenbecker 16, Dana Kim 0, Jordan Gonzales 2, Renee Van Bergeijk 2, Stephanie Ramos 8, Kacey Kuchenbecker 0, Taylor Valentine 4.
3-point goals–Punahou 3 (San Luis 2, Sia), Le Jardin 1 (McCabe).
Also
Kamehameha II 43, Lanakila Baptist 41
University 47, St. Francis 25
Girls
Junior varsity I
‘Iolani 37, Kamehameha White 31
Punahou Gold 46, Maryknoll 33
Hanalani 50, St. Francis 45, OT
Junior varsity II
Hawaii Baptist 60, La Pietra 4
Boys
Junior varsity I
Saint Louis 63, University High 31
St. Francis 41, Damien 37
Maryknoll 42, Punahou Gold 39
Kamehameha Blue 49, Punahou Blue 44
Junior varsity II
Hawaii Baptist 54, Assets 28
OIA EAST
Friday
Kaiser 61, Farrington 43
At Farrington
| Kaiser (1-0) |
22 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
— |
61 |
| Farrington (0-1) |
5 |
17 |
9 |
12 |
— |
43 |
KAISER–Keara Ortega 5, Chandler Arce 13, Taylor Simeona 2, Kiana Nakai 4, Ashley Soong 0, Kylee Nihipali 0, Micaela Bitanga 13, Kayla Soong 6, Tiana Miyashiro 5, Alyssa Soong 1, Courtney Phillips 2, Darcey Goulsby 10.
FARRINGTON–Diena Peterson 1, Vannalyn Tomas 1, Charel Alualu 0, Chasity Scanlan-Sevao 11, Alanna Ahching 3, Penina Faumui 14, Leilani Mageo-Pacheco 8, Alena Gaea 5, Tereena Aivao 0.
3-point goals–Kaiser 4 (Arce 3, Bitanga). Farrington none.
Junior varsity–Farrington 42, Kaiser 31
Kalani 62, Castle 55
At Castle
| Kalani (1-0) |
15 |
21 |
17 |
9 |
— |
62 |
| Castle (0-1) |
13 |
17 |
12 |
13 |
— |
55 |
KALANI–Carly Kakuda 20, Riley Kishaba 13, Taylor Murai 11, Haley Omiya 7, Kimberly Sakamoto 5, Taili Iinuma 3, Kaiana Iaea 2, Brenna Beal 1, Kari Kimura 0, Tiani Maafala 0, Rose Alama 0, Teualili Petelo 0, Kelli Muramaru 0.
CASTLE–Brit Hawn 7, Josell Lilio 0, Kiana Tilton 4, Darrien Dacosin 2, Quire Puaauli Puahi 6, Ella Tiumalu 14, Chey Espinda 4, Sunshine Crawford 0.
3-point goals–Kalani 10 (Kishaba 4, Kakuda 2, Murai, Omiya, Sakamoto, Iinuma), Castle none.
Junior varsity–Score not reported.
OIA WEST
Friday
Nanakuli 55, Campbell 44
At Campbell
| Nanakuli (1-0) |
12 |
14 |
14 |
15 |
— |
55 |
| Campbell (0-1) |
12 |
6 |
12 |
14 |
— |
44 |
NANAKULI–Kehau Silva 18, Jasmine Saole 12, Jen Treu 7, Tiare Kaopua 2, Champagne Padua 16, Desha Kala 0, Katherine Hulama 0, Heather Thomas 0, Natalia Kaopua 0, Robyn Kealoha 0, Kathleen Papas 0, Renise La’a 0.
CAMPBELL–Antonette Labausa 17, Jolinalyn Achiu 7, Cira Delizo 4, Kealohi Akiyama 4, Tiana Ryan 0, Cassie Ernst 12.
3-point goals–Nanakuli 3 (Padua 2, Saole), Campbell 2 (Labausa 2).
BIIF
Saturday
Girls
Hawaii Prep 58, Kamehameha-Maui 47
Hilo 51, Honokaa 37
