Moanalua converts gifts into points in beating Kailua

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‘Tis the season, so Moanalua shared the many gifts given away by the visiting Kailua Surfriders.

Moanalua’s swarming fullcourt press frazzled the visitors into 31 turnovers, helping Na Menehune coast to a 55-31 home win Friday night. Sharing the ball and balanced scoring were the themes as three Menehune — seniors Jasmine Funtanilla and Ashley Johnson and sophomore LaChae McColor — scored 10 points each. Funtanilla also hustled for a game-high 11 rebounds as Moanalua won the battle on the boards 42-27.

"I’m happy we won; a win is a win. I would’ve liked to have seen us execute better, a lot better," coach Kristie Morikawa said. "We’re asking Funtie and LaChae to do a lot in the paint. They’re guards, they’re not used to being roughed up."

The good and not-so-good, including 24 turnovers, will make for good video study.

"We’ve got good teams around the corner — McKinley, Farrington, Kaimuki — and we can’t play like we did tonight and expect to beat them," Morikawa said.

Freshman Ciera O’Brien chipped in with eight points for Moanalua, which improved to 4-2 in Oahu Interscholastic Association East Division play. Kailua, a Division II squad, is now 1-5 in league play.

"Moanalua’s had a history of having fast, athletic girls. They anticipate really well," Kailua coach Afton Smith said. "They’re well coached. Coach (Morikawa) is keeping on the tradition."

Kailua’s young squad had some bright spots despite the miscues. Junior guard Brianna Kassebeer had 12 points and three steals, and freshman center Patria Vaimoana was a strong presence inside and would’ve scored in double digits if not for some free-throw shooting woes.

Kahoa Mikaele had a team-high six rebounds for the Surfriders.

The home team was relentless from the start, with a tight man-to-man halfcourt defense and the fullcourt press. Five players scored as Na Menehune zoomed to a 14-0 lead before the end of the first quarter.

Kailua finally settled down and chipped into the lead, pulling within 16-8 on a steal and layup by Kassebeer. A mess of fouls by the aggressive Menehune helped, but Kailua shot just 3-for-13 at the foul line in the first half.

Moanalua closed out the half with an 11-5 run.

O’Brien’s steal and layup gave Moanalua a 27-13 lead going into the half.

O’Brien had eight of her team’s 17 steals, as well as eight points.

Kailua got no closer than 12 in the second half as Moanalua emptied its bench. Moanalua’s sideline erupted in glee when reserve guard Rheani Longakit hustled after her own missed shot for a putback with 1:11 remaining, capping a festive night.

Moanalua shot just 36 percent from the field (25-for-69), including 1-for-16 from 3-point range against Kailua’s 2-3 zone.

Kailua shot 31 percent from the field (11-for-36), but hustled for 15 steals and had ample opportunities at the free-throw line. The Surfriders finished 9-for-28 (32 percent) at the charity stripe.