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Kahuku coach Scott DeSilva gave each of Kamehameha’s girls a friendly peck on the cheek after knocking them out of the first round of the Hawaiian Airlines Girls Basketball State Championships with a 39-35 win at McKinley on Tuesday night.
Not that he is glad to see the Warriors go. After all, he coached them at the school last year and the Warriors are his second favorite team.
“It kind of played a big part,” DeSilva said. “But it is still on the kids, they executed and weathered the storm. It’s a new system and their young players stepped up. That is a great bunch of girls they have over there.”
Kahuku led from wire to wire, getting nine points from Leighlani Paselio and six each from Temutisa Te’o and Tyra Williams.
The Red Raiders had their lead as high as 12 in the second quarter and led by seven with 3:12 remaining in the game. That’s when Kamehameha began using its fullcourt double trap and put Kahuku on the defensive.
The Warriors forced three straight turnovers and caused DeSilva to call consecutive timeouts trying to teach his girls how to move the ball up the floor.
The Warriors pulled within two points, 32-30, with the defensive pressure but Kahuku point guard Fiatagata Tailele-Latu, who was most stymied by Kamehameha’s new defense, responded with a steal and a bucket, a free throw and an assist to Te’o to move the lead to four points, 37-33, with 22 seconds left to seal the game.
The Warriors were called for traveling on two of their final three possessions.
“I am always the hardest on her,” DeSilva said. “Because I know the talent she has. Tonight she fell apart a little bit, but you know, she weathered the storm and came back strong and I still have her back.”
Alohi Robins-Hardy led Kamehameha with 10 points, while Lilia Maio and Kealani Ryder each contributed six points. Kamehameha lost point guard Krystal-Lei Mills when she fouled out in the third quarter.
“That’s big, she sets the tone for us, she’s our leader,” Kamehameha assistant coach Kevin Velasco said. “She’s had a great season, especially with a new system and a new coach.”
The Red Raiders move on to face OIA champ Pearl City in the second round tonight at McKinley. Kahuku lost to the Chargers by five points in the regular season, so it is another familiar foe for DeSilva.
“You never know, maybe it helped,” Velasco said. “Kahuku really prepared well and we wish them well the rest of the tournament.”
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At McKinley Gym
| Kamehameha |
4 |
9 |
9 |
13 |
— |
35 |
| Kahuku |
13 |
7 |
8 |
11 |
— |
39 |
KAMEHAMEHA—Brooke Rickard 0, Breann Nueku 0, Sanoe Burgess 1, Kealani Ryder 7, Amanda Wasko 0, Krystal-Lei Mills 3, Alohi Robins-Hardy 8, Brachelle Nueku 5, Kennedi Akana 2, Pu’uwainui Ah Puck 2, Lilia Maio 7, Nicole Ka’aihui 0, Shantel Aleki 0.
KAHUKU—Fiatagata Tailele-Latu 4, Tyra Williams 6, Adora Anae 0, Kaylynn Latu 5, Talia Brown 0, Pati Anae 5, Jaelynn Kaio-Scott 1, Temutisa Te’o 6, Ulukimata Tonga 2, Leighlani Paselio 10, Dorothy Tito 0.
3-point goals—Kamehameha 1 (Mills). Kahuku 1 (K. Latu)
Kaiser 53, Maui 24
The Cougars led by 20 points at the half to secure the win over the Sabers.
Micaela Bitanga came up big for Kaiser with 14 points, followed by Darcey Goulsby with 10.
Patricia Batoon led Maui with eight points.
At McKinley
| Kaiser |
19 |
9 |
11 |
14 |
— |
53 |
| Maui |
4 |
4 |
10 |
6 |
— |
24 |
KAISER—Kellie Sakai 0, Kili Arita 0, Keara Ortega 4, Chantelle Arce 4, Chandler Arce 10, Ona Simeona 0, Caylee Tashiro 0, Kiana Nakai 3, Kiana Matsumoto 0, Ashley Soong 2, Micaela Bitanga 14, Kayla Soong 0, Tiana Miyashiro 5, Alyssa Soong 0, Courtney Phillips 1, Darcey Goulsby 10.
MAUI—Jaycin Mahie Spencer 0, Liana Tanaka 0, Jordyn Vega 4, Trina Valencia 2, JoVoni Shimabukuro 0, Kuulei Bailey 2, Megan Malubay 4, Jamia Degala 2, Patricia Batoon 8, Brittnie Suda-Molina 0, Ahlaynee Milliet 0, Leilani Fakava 0, Christina Lotulelei 2.
3-point goals—Kaiser 4 (Chandler Arce 2, Bitanga, Nakai). Maui none.
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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM