It was the kind of Kapolei win that former coach Jesse Baugh would’ve been proud of.
The Hurricanes brought their fullcourt press and whirlwind style of defense, forcing 21 Radford turnovers for a 43-31 win on Wednesday at Jim Alegre Gymnasium. It was their first game back on Oahu since the team learned of Baugh’s death after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Sophomore guard Sati Helenihi, Baugh’s niece, was in good spirits, all things considered.
“The family’s doing good, but we’re in mourning. Everyone’s in mourning. It’s been really emotional, but we’re a family,” she said. “We have to stay strong.”
It was the OIA girls basketball season opener for both teams. Sophomore Amayha Dycus led Kapolei with 14 points, including 10 in the final quarter to help stifle Radford’s comeback plans. She hit all six of her free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter.
Senior co-captain Chermayne Yago had four of Kapolei’s 12 steals, and Malia Folaumahina tallied seven points, seven boards and two steals. The team remained focused last week after learning about Baugh just prior to the Seabury Hall tournament.
“It gave us more motivation to do better,” Yago said. “We had to pick each other up and stay strong for Coach Baugh. Everything’s going up from here. He’s smiling.”
As a team, the visiting Hurricanes were just 1-for-7 at the charity stripe until the last stanza, when they made 10 of 14. Kapolei executed coach Jim Aronica’s game plan against a taller Rams squad. The Hurricanes also showed amazing maturity through the loss of their former coach.
“It’s never easy, but they stayed strong like Coach Baugh would want them to. He never wanted them to pout about it or feel bad or sorry for themselves or sorry for him. He fought to the end and that’s the way the girls are. The way they play is a reflection of him,” Aronica said. “We dedicate the season to him, so it’s going to be a good season regardless.”
Senior Korie Johnson led Radford with 10 points and five rebounds.
The Lady Rams stayed close until late in the first quarter, when Souza fed Dycus for a fast-break layup, and then swished a 3-pointer from the right wing. After Dycus hit Desiree Vega for a layup on an inbounds play to end the first quarter, Kapolei led 10-4.
Back-to-back buckets by Johnson brought the Rams within 12-8, but they went scoreless for the last three minutes of the first half and trailed by eight at the break.
The Hurricanes opened the second half with a 9-4 run, getting a spark from Yago, who drained a trey from the left wing. Their 25-12 lead was the biggest of the game at that point.
Radford made it interesting with an 8-2 run. A steal by McKenna Wall led to a layup by Carla Thomas to end the third quarter, and after sophomore post Kennedy Johnson hit a bucket on a fast break, the Rams were within 27-20.
Kapolei was persistent, however, with its press and halfcourt matchup zone. Radford got no closer than seven the rest of the way.
“We’re still far from our potential. We have a lot of learning to do from a coach’s perspective and a player’s perspective,” Radford coach Brandy Richardson said. “Kapolei stuck to their game plan and hat’s off to them. Under the circumstances they’re facing. They have good players and they’re playing for their coach.”
At Radford
Kapolei (1-0) 10 6 11 16 — 43
Radford (0-1) 4 4 10 13 — 31
KAPOLEI—Chermayne Yago 5, Desiree Vega 4, Anna Souza 5, Amayha Dycus 14, Bernice Ching 3, Jalen Payongayong 0, Raquel Lasconia 1, Gabriella Sanchez 0, Aiga Ah-Ching 0, Martina Aspiroz 0, Sati Helenihi 2, Jennifer Hiliard 0, Kela Whiteurst 2, Malia Folaumahina 7.
RADFORD—Chloe Slocumb 0, Carla Thomas 5, Jannel Rubio 0, McKenna Wall 5, Avina Ulu 2, Jasmine Moody 4, Korie Johnson 10, Jazmyn Peralta 1, Kennedy Johnson 4.
3-point goals—Kapolei 2 (Yago, Souza). Radford 0.
Junior varsity—Kapolei 33, Radford 21
OIA WEST girls
Nanakuli 57, Waialua 11
Junior guard Sarah Meyers scored a game-high 11 points as the Golden Hawks overwhelmed the Bulldogs in the season opener for both teams. Waialua is fielding a team for the first time in three seasons.
At Nanakuli
Waialua (0-1) 6 2 1 2 — 11
Nanakuli (1-0) 10 22 7 18 — 57
WAIALUA—K.C. Rameld, Kiana Paakaula-Reis, Leilani Maluyo 4, Kamryn Lenvio 3, Kaydence Haley, Myra Agcaoli, Joni Bremitanio 1, Raydeen Kabayashi-Kajiwra 3, Via Mae Pascua, Kayla Kapika, Taylor Saguibo, Liliana Marks, Gabriella Delgado, Gemelie Hatme.
NANAKULI—Mercy Puni 2, Angelica Chun Fook 6, Keanani Chai 9, Melissa Estoy 7, Tianna Hanohano, Alexis Meyers 11, Sharlene Barrett-Pilialoha 4, Tiare Kaopua 6, Precious Meyers 2, Natalia Kaopua 4, Renise Laa 6.
3-point goals—Waialua 2 (Lenvio, Kabayashi-Kajiwra). Nanakuli 2 (A. Meyers, Estoy).
Junior varsity—Nanakuli 2, Waialua 0, forfeit.
Campbell 43, Waipahu 39
Marie Togiailua scored a game-high 12 points to lead the Sabers over the Marauders.
At Campbell
Campbell (1-0) 17 11 4 10 — 43
Waipahu (0-1) 7 11 11 10 — 39
CAMPBELL—Cydney Curran 3, Dezlee Lindborg-Sandry 2, Aiza Valeriano 7, Cira Delizo 5, Tiana Ryan 0, Brandy Contrades 8, Bethany Scott 0, Sabrina Marzan 6, Marie Togiailua 12.
WAIPAHU—Shaina Asada 0, Patricia Malala 10, Phil-Joyce Felicitas , Krystal Aceret 1, Rhicca Savella 0, Tammy Viliamu 2, Arriane Joshua Fernandez 0, Arriane Janine Fernandez 0, Sabrina Hollins 0, Leikisha Malala 4, Nicole Puaa 10, Kuinita Donley 4, Nala Viliamu 3.
3-point goals— Waipahu 0. Campbell 2 (Curran, Valeriano).
Junior varsity— Campbell 50, Waipahu 39
Mililani 44, Leilehua 37
Kapili Amamalin had 14 points and Nayla Long 13 as the Trojans held off the Mules, who pulled within three points in the fourth quarter.
Senior Elyshia Bowden had a game-high 15 points to lead Leilehua.
At Leilehua
Mililani (1-0) 11 7 13 13 — 44
Leilehua (0-1) 7 7 10 13 — 37
MILILANI—Jerika Dacuycuy, Kaylee Torres 2, Kapili Amamalin 14, Kira Arruda 6, Zyriana Davies 7, Summer Bolibol 2, Nayla Long 13, Chantell Appleby.
LEILEHUA—Kirzzle Calip, Jazmyn Dangaran, Jerilyn Maluyo 4, Carissa McBride 10, Briana Crawley 6, Tiffany Reyher 2, Elyshia Bowden 15, Allexys Simerly.
3-point goals—Mililani 2 (Arruda 2). Leilehua 1 (Maluyo).
Junior varsity—Leilehua 39, Mililani 21
OIA east girls
Moanalua 50, Anuenue 7
Lachae McColor had 14 points and Ciera O’Brien added 10 as Na Menehune downed Na Koa, holding their opponents scoreless in the second and third quarters.
At Moanalua
Anuenue (0-1) 4 0 0 3 — 7
Moanalua (2-0) 20 8 10 12 — 50
ANUENUE—Tanela Taua 0, Anuhea Silva 4, Keani Silva 3, Moana Taua 0, Kaui Shimaooka-Faufata 0.
MOANALUA—LaChae McColor 14, Jasmine Sagaysay 2, Sydnie Canencia 4, Alexis Asuncion 2, Ahi Roy 2, Chelsea Guerrero 4, Ciera O’Brien 10, Hoku Mateo 0, Miki Sylva 2, Cherie Bento 6, Kevynne Fountain-Pokipala 4.
3-point goals—Anuenue 2 (A. Silva, K. Silva). Moanalua 0.
Kailua 52, Castle 44
Briana Kassebeer scored 17 points, and the Surfriders pulled away for the win. Kiana and Saesha Tilton each scored 10 points to lead the Knights.
At Castle
Kailua (1-1) 8 11 17 16 — 52
Castle (0-1) 9 8 13 14 — 44
KAILUA—Delcie Williams 13, Asia-lynn Butin 0, Sharray Revyelto 0, Kalia Ripley-Racoma 0, Keala Kaio-Perez 6, Akamulyn Makua 2, Apolonia Fealofani 2, Brianna Kassebeer 17, Saje Perry 2, Patria Yaimoana 9, Sierra Yamaguchi 1.
CASTLE—Darrien Dacosin 8, Kiana Tilton 10, Qaira Puaauli-Puahi 4, Kamanu Johnston 0, Sunshine Crawford 8, Sheastel Tiumalu 4, Saesha Tilton 10.
3-point goals—Kailua 2 (Kaio-Perez, Kassebeer). Castle 1 (Dacosin).
Junior varsity—Castle 48, Kailua 26
No. 7 Roosevelt 56, Kaimuki 31
Senior forward Alexis Bennett and sophomore guard Starr Rivera shared game-high honors with 11 points each to lead the Rough Riders over the Bulldogs.
Bennett scored nine points as Roosevelt put the game away with a 23-5 third-quarter run.
At Roosevelt
Kaimuki (0-1) 7 3 5 16 — 31
Roosevelt (1-0) 9 12 23 12 — 56
KAIMUKI—Nikki Vongprachanh 8, Valerie Wilson, Canny Aikau 10, Seplynn Aikau, Luysa Moala, Alison Pologa 3, Julia Soares, Alexa Miller 3, Princess Lauvao 7.
ROOSEVELT—Sharice Kawakami 8, Starr Rivera 11, Tavae Sofa 10, Kaohi Kapiko, Devyn Kauhi 9, Keala Quinlan, Chelsea Wong 3, Tatiana Mariano 2, Stacia Matsumura 2, Alexis Bennett 11, Krystle Chung.
3-point goals—Kaimuki 2 (C. Aikau, Pologa). Roosevelt 4 (Kauhi 2, Rivera, Sofa).
Junior varsity—Roosevelt 55, Kaimuki 29
Kaiser 77, Kalaheo 60
Chantelle Arce drained four 3-pointers and finished with 16 points to help the Cougars beat the Mustangs. Ashley Soong scored 17 points and Roselyn Shimaoka also added 16 for Kaiser.
At Kalaheo
Kaiser (1-0) 20 18 16 23 — 77
Kalaheo (0-1) 14 19 17 10 — 60
KAISER—Roselyn Shimaoka 16, Chantelle Arce 16, Brandi Arita 0, Taylor Chang-Simeona 2, Tiana Matsumoto 3, Ashley Soong 17, Skye Keao 4, Micaela Bitanga 10, Kayla Soong 3, Kayla Nihipali 3, Allissa Soong 3.
KALAHEO—Lindsey Unsell 7, Jayla Tamashiro 10, Tilani Pua’auli 3, Jade Martins 7, Gabby Clark 11, Tara Takata 6, Pualine Gachalian 0, Ulu Perry 4, Sierra Freitas 12.
3-point goals—Kaiser 4 (Arce 4 ). Kalaheo 2 (Tamashiro, Pua‘auli).
Junior varsity—Kaiser 57, Kalaheo 9
ILH
Junior varsity boys
Iolani 58, Maryknoll 34
Saint Louis 55, Kamehameha White 44
Hanalani 66, Hawaii Baptist 43
