Sports

Kapolei boys growing up fast, remain unbeaten in OIA

By Jason Kaneshiro
Feb. 2, 2012

Kapolei head coach Gary Ellison figured the growing pains a young Hurricanes team endured in 2011 would yield some benefits in the new year.

But even he didn’t foresee the degree of success, the Hurricanes are enjoying this season.

Having completed a perfect run through the Oahu Interscholastic Association’s West division, Kapolei remained undefeated in league play on Wednesday with a 56-37 win over Kaimuki to advance in the winner’s bracket of the OIA Red boys basketball playoffs.

Last year, a sophomore-heavy roster struggled through a 2-10 season. But out of those trials, the Hurricanes forged the unity that has been the cornerstone of their season to date.

“We put them on the varsity as sophomores and took our licks last year to get them prepared for this year and the next year,” Ellison said. “But the kids are exceeding our expectations. We knew we were going to win more games than we did the previous year, but we never expected to go 10-0 in the West. And it was tough. It was not easy.”

Kapolei, the OIA West’s top seed, will host Moanalua at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Ellison has been particularly pleased with the Hurricanes’ willingness to share the ball and three Kapolei players finished with double-figure point totals on Wednesday.

Joshua Wills led all scorers with 17 points, forward Zachary Reeves finished with 14 points and nine rebounds and Christopher Dillard posted 13 points and 17 boards.

“Coach told us our main things were poise, patience and play smart, get on the boards and hold them under 40,” Dillard said. “They told me specifically I had to stay on the boards.”

Part of a military family, Dillard was born in Texas and lived in Germany, California and Samoa before transferring to Kapolei last year as a sophomore. On Wednesday night he helped Kapolei build a 37-21 rebounding advantage, including 11 offensive boards.

“We were kind of young still trying to learn (last year),” Dillard said. “This year we found our chemistry, so we’re working well together, getting the ball to each other. … We clicked pretty well this year and played in outside leagues and we just got better as time went on.”

Said Ellison: “The main thing these guys have is they play together, there’s no selfishness among them.”

Kaimuki made the drive to Kapolei a day after defeating Campbell in the opening round and hung around early against the Hurricanes, closing to 22-18 with 1:19 left in the second quarter.

But Kapolei scored the final six points of the second period and the first six of the third to open up a 34-18 lead. The Hurricanes took a 21-point advantage into the fourth quarter and maintained a commanding lead throughout.

“Kapolei is a good team, they were well prepared and well rested,” Kaimuki coach Brandon Young said.

“On our part, we just were not communicating as well. We played hard and chipped way, then boom, they just kept coming.”

Guard Dio Taulung led Kaimuki with 12 points as the Bulldogs

(5-8) fell into the loser’s bracket and will play at Mililani on Friday.

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At Kapolei

Kaimuki	8	10	6	13	—	37
Kapolei	14	14	17	11	—	56

KAIMUKI—Hunter Young 2, Zachary Bastatas4 , JR Betiru 0, Dio Taulung 12, Nick Montellang 2, Tai Boyd 0, Jaypee Unabia 11,Kency Owens 0, Buke Kony 0, Siaosi Hala‘api‘api 0, Amu Moefu 6.
KAPOLEI—Dorien Antonio Martos 2, Kiatrell Zachery 0, Curtis Tavares 4, Joshua Wills 17, Joshua Farias 2, Kula Seno 0, Kaeo Soares 2, Christopher Dillard 13, Michael Bangai 0, Zachary Reeves 14, Micah Kapoi 2.
3-point goals—Kaimuki 2 (Unabia 2). Kapolei 1 (Wills).

No. 10 Moanalua 46, Mililani 40

Na Menehune rallied in the fourth period to overtake the Trojans.
Dillon Turk posted 10 points for Moanalua. Mililani’s Deshawn Duncan-Benson finished with 12 points.
Mililani got off to a slow start, trailing 10-4, but led Moanalua 22-20 at halftime and 36-35 entering the fourth period.
Na Menehune will play the Hurricanes at Kapolei, while Kaimuki will travel to Mililani and face the Trojans. Both games are 6 p.m. Friday.

At Moanalua

Mililani	4	18	14	4	—	40
Moanalua	10	10	15	11	—	46

MILILANI—Tyler Morgan 0, Josh Stevens 0, Chedan Pascual 0, Damon Shimabukuro 2, Alex Bumgarner 9, Deshawn Duncan-Benson 12, Marcus Beamon 3, Riley Borges 2, Jonathan Makaiau 6, Peter Bueno 2, Taylor Tuia 4.
MOANALUA—Kreig Kepa 4, Daib Starks 9, Kahanu Puulei-Auld 4, Alex Hutson 6, Eliet Donley 1, Tahiarii Caldwell 0, Dillon Turk 10, Shane Ratledge 8, Chris Hammond 2, Josh Kang 2, Kyrie McRaven 0.
3-point goals—Mililani 5 (Bumgarner 3, Duncan-Benson 2). Moanalua 2 (Starks 2).

Kahuku 45, Pearl City 40

Mekeli Fiso racked up 16 points to lift the Red Raiders over the Chargers.
Kawehena Johnson added nine points for Kahuku, while Lawrence Glisson led Pearl City with 11 points.
Kahuku will host Leilehua on Friday, while the Chargers will travel to Kalani, also on Friday. Both games begin at 6 p.m.

At Kahuku

Pearl City	11	15	9	5	—	40
Kahuku	10	18	10	7	—	45

PEARL CITY—Kailon Sabate 6, Ryan Arguelles 0, Kainoa Perez 8, Tysen Hickcox 6, Lawrence Glisson 11, Marc Suniga 7, Kapena Akiona 2, Paul Perry III 0.
KAHUKU—Evan Ramirez 6, Kawehena Johnson 9, Mason Kuali‘i-Moe 2, Lasselle Thompson 0, Danny Aki 3, Bronson Beatty 4, Mekeli Fiso 16, Benny Fonua 0, Koiva Tufaga 2, Sam Ching 3.
3-point goals—Pearl City 2 (Sabate, Glisson). Kahuku 2 (Ramirez, Aki).
Leilehua 71, Kalani 59
Cody Halvorson scored a team-high 14 points as the Mules defeated the Falcons.
Kalani got a game-high 27 points from Tatsuya Ono in the loss.

At Leilehua

Kalani	7	13	18	21	—	59
Leilehua	16	24	15	16	—	71

KALANI—Takezo Iguchi 4, Brock Haraga 0, Remy Omori 4, Brandon Roberts 7, Kory Kashiwabara 2, Percy Harris 0, Sam Kahalewai 7, Tatsuya Ono 27, Jourdan Johnson 0, Kalia Ka‘awa 2, Michael Pimentel 6, Colby Aoki 0, Sione Sekona 0, Cory Mitchell 0.
LEILEHUA—Russell Siavii 12, Darrien Bobbitt 0, Jeremiah Andrade 9, Mikai Peyton 0, Reece Acohido 5, Jalen Bailey 0, Larry William-Rutkowski 10, Kenneth Hill 0, Troy Ross 7, Cody Halvorson 14, Christian Manzo-Loera 2, Penetito Mele 12, Marvin Roldon 0.
3-point goals—Kalani 3 (Ono 3). Leilehua 4 (Halvorson 2, Acohido, Ross).

OIA WHITE PLAYOFFS

No. 8 Kalaheo 43, Farrington 27

Josh Ko finished with 16 points as the Mustangs defeated the Governors to advance in the OIA playoffs.
Viane Vaina led Farrington with 12 points.
Kalaheo hosts McKinley in a winner’s bracket game on Feb. 10. Farrington travels to Aiea in an elimination game on Feb. 10.

At Kalaheo

Farrington	4	9	9	5	—	27
Kalaheo	13	9	8	13	—	43

FARRINGTON—Shane Cabato-Machado 3, Jeffrey Madarang 8, Mike Kleman 0, Chadey Callazo 0, Marco Cudia 2, Viane Vaina 12, Tyler Liana 2, Keanu Foki 0.
KALAHEO—Josh Ko 16, Shem Sukumaran 6, Nainoa Frank 6, Kalani Green 2, Derick Morgan 8, Silila Tucker 2, Jordyn Reindollar 1, Anthony Rowan 2.
3-point goals—Farrington 2 (Madarang 2). Kalaheo 5 (Ko 4, Morgan).

McKinley 61, Aiea 38

Alex Ironside scored a game-high 31 points as the Tigers defeated Na Alii to advance in the OIA White playoffs.
Aiea got 24 points from Ernesto Salazar.

At Aiea

McKinley	16	16	16	13	—	61
Aiea	6	9	15	8	—	38

MCKINLEY—Wilhelm Rivera 3, Jeric Ferrer 2, Joey Aizona 0, Kui Williams 2, Jace Bolosan 3, A.J. Ortaleza 8, John Henry Ansagay 2, Maaauna Viengmany 0, Jerry Wu 2, Justly Laquihon 0, William Rollman 2, Alex Ironside 31, Jared Malaga 6.
AIEA—Terence Fong 0, Michael Taliulu 1, Ernesto Salazar 24, DeShane Luat 0, Joshua Marine 0, Douglas Tautua 0, Leuia Iose 2, Steven Minor 11, Kimo Souza 0.
3-point goals—McKinley none. Aiea 7 (Salazar 6, Minor).
Junior varsity—McKinley 52, Aiea 49

ALSO
OIA junior varsity boys playoffs
Farrington 70, Waipahu 36
Mililani 60, Moanalua 50

ILH DIVISION II BOYS

Christian Academy 78, Pacific Buddhist 27

The Patriots dominated the Dragons, nearly tripling their score.
Shawn Bonilla recorded 19 points, leading three other Christian Academy players in double figures.
Andrew Tom scored 14 points for Pacific Buddhist Academy.

At Salt Lake District Park

CA (2-7)	22	25	12	19	—	78
PBA (0-9)	4	6	5	12	—	27

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY—Mikey Camun 16, Shawn Bonilla 19, Micah Sugiura 11, Jason Ocol 15, Christopher Canoneo 3, Ethan Reyes 6, Eli Sugiura 7, Austin Miura 1.
PACIFIC BUDDHIST ACADEMY—Kenton Sato 0, Connor Emerson 7, Justin Eli 4, Andrew Tom 14, Blake Lopianetzky 2, Nicholas Osano 0.
3-point goals—Christian Academy 4 (Camun 2, Bonilla, E. Sugiura). Pacific Buddhist 3 (Tom 2, Emerson).

Hawaiian Mission 72, Lanakila Baptist 70

Nesi Bechard and Lucas Earles scored 22 and 20 points, respectively, to lead the Knights in a win over the Warriors.
Brady Clark also scored 13 points for Hawaiian Mission Academy, while Matthew Kakilala led Lanakila Baptist with a game-high 27 points.

At Hawaiian Mission

LBS (2-8)	15	16	22	17	—	70
HMA (4-7)	21	17	17	17	—	72

LANAKILA BAPTIST—Jeremy Clark 2, Isaac Shubert 0, Hikaru Kamikubo 3, Roycen Routt 11, Matthew Kakilala 27, Richard Pajarillo 0, EJ Butler 16, Jordan Cabato 11, Colton Salvado 0.
HAWAIIAN MISSION—Jared Siok 6, Polo Jin 0, J.T. Landenberger 2, Brady Clark 13, Marcus Uechi 6, Ryan Kim 3, Lucas Earles 20, Nesi Bechard 22, Israel Olsen 0, Hong Lei 0, Shaun Pajardo 0, J.J. Reynolds 0.
3-point goals—Lanakila Baptist 2 (Kamikubo, Butler). Hawaiian Mission 3 (Clark 2, Kim).

ILH DIVISION I GIRLS

No. 4 Punahou 48, Sacred Hearts 28

The Buffanblu led by 21 points at halftime and maintained the lead to defeat the Lancers. Punahou’s Reina Furuya scored a game-high 11 points. Tiare Moses led Sacred Hearts with nine points.

At Punahou

SHA (1-12)	8	3	4	13	—	28
Punahou (10-3)	11	21	9	7	—	48

SACRED HEARTS—Tiare Moses 9, Tristin Martin 0, Nicole Daoang 0, Brittney Mopas 0, Hunter Wilson-Pena 7, Abigail Trowbridge 0, Angela Kim 2, Erica Pagan 0, Celina Pagan 6, Kaela Fiesta 0, Paris Johnson 4.
PUNAHOU—Keaupono Fey 4, Avianna Finn 4, Hailey Motooka 3, Shar Manu-Olevao 1, Reina Furuya 11, Demi Coolen 2, Asia Olivieri 4, Turner Wong 4, Kaitlyn Waki 2, Samantha Alakai 4, Mysha Sataraka 7, Sydney Fanoga 2.
3-point goals—Sacred Hearts 1 (Wilson-Pena). Punahou 4 (Furuya 3, Motooka).

No. 8 Kamehameha 56, Mid-Pacific 47

The Warriors pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat the Owls.
Taira Robins-Hardy finished with 16 points for Kamehameha, followed by Lilia Maio with 11 points.
Kiana Robertson led Mid-Pacific with 16 points.

At Kamehameha

Mid-Pacific (3-10)	12	10	14	11	—	47
Kamehameha (7-6)	10	12	15	19	—	56

MID-PACIFIC—Nicole Sato 2, Megan Kinoshita 7, Kayla Watanabe 2, Alexe Navarro 3, Kamalei Lyons 4, Mikaela Limper 1, Kiana Robertson 16, Pua Kanekoa 10, Camille Ganahl 2, Becky Martin 0, Courtney Tom 0.
KAMEHAMEHA—Brooke Rickard 5, Breanne Nueku 0, Sanoe Burgess 0, Kealani Ryder 7, Amanda Wasko 0, Krystal-Lei Mills 6, Taira Robins-Hardy 16, Brachelle Nueku 8, Kennedi Akana 3, Puuwainui Ah Puck 0, Lilia Maio 11, Nicole Kaaihue 0, Shantel Aleki 0.
3-point goals—Mid-Pacific 2 (Kinoshita, Navarro). Kamehameha 2 (Rickard, Brachelle Nueku).

ILH DIV II GIRLS PLAYOFFS

St. Francis 38, Le Jardin 35

The Saints slipped past the Bulldogs to advance in the ILH playoffs.
Alissa Pacarro led St. Francis with 12 points. Le Jardin’s Taylor Valentine scored nine points in a losing effort.

At Le Jardin

Le Jardin	5	9	13	8	—	35
St. Francis	4	10	15	9	—	38

LE JARDIN—Olivia McCabe 0, Kelly Kuchenbecker 5, Renee Van Bergeijk 7, Stephanie Ramos 8, Kacey Kuchenbecker 6, Taylor Valentine 9.
ST. FRANCIS—Lacey Satele 6, Taylor Bellevou 2, Alissa Pacarro 12, Ashley Kahapea-Wagner 0, Rachel Carlos 4, Tori Keliiaa 0, Jasmine Soon 6, Jedidah Hanakahi 8, Jessica Rossi 0.
3-point goals—Le Jardin none. St. Francis 6 (Satele 2, Pacarro 2, Soon 2).