Maryknoll takes advantage | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Maryknoll's Crystie Wong, right, and Maegan Martin pounce on a loose ball ahead of Punahou's Turner Wong during the first-half of an ILH girls basketball game between the Maryknoll Spartans and the Punahou Buffanblu on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012 at Maryknoll High School in Makiki.

There won’t be a pep rally this time, but the joy is just as large.

Eighth-ranked Maryknoll took the lead for good with a 5-0 run to start the fourth quarter and upset No. 4 Punahou 41-34 on Wednesday night at T.C. Ching Gymnasium. It was the Spartans’ first win over Punahou since 1999, when Mike Taylor was at the helm of Maryknoll’s girls basketball program.

Siena Shupe led Maryknoll’s balanced attack with 10 points. Crystie Wong added eight points, while Maia Laboy and Cianna Ochoco added six apiece. Punahou won the battle on the boards, 33-26, but committed 21 turnovers to Maryknoll’s 11.

“After knowing how long it’s been since we beat them, it feels good,” Wong said.

“If we keep working hard as a team, I believe we can do great things,” Ochoco added.

Hailey Motooka led Punahou (5-2, 0-1 ILH) with 11 points. Freshman Tyra Moe finished with nine points and 10 rebounds.

At Maryknoll

Punahou (0-1)

Maryknoll (1-0)

PUNAHOU—Keau Fey 3, Hailey Motooka 11, Asia Oliveri 4, Turner Wong 3, Kaitlyn Waki 0, Samantha Alakai 4, Tyra Moe 9, Eti Maka 0, Ari Finn 0.

MARYKNOLL—Alexis Delovio 0, Maile Goodin 3, Crystie Wong 8, Maia Laboy 6, Cianna Ochoco 6, Kaile Cambra 0, Kayla Agustin 2, Lindsey Lee 4, Siena Shupe 10, Maegen Martin 2.

3-point goals—Punahou 3 (Motooka 2, T. Wong), Maryknoll 2 (C. Wong, Goodin).

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Maryknoll (9-3, 1-0 ILH) was in its first game at the Division I level in years and looked jittery at the start. Punahou raced to a quick 11-2 lead, forcing Spartans coach Chico Furtado to burn two timeouts.

“For us, it’s developing a belief that we can compete at this level,” Furtado said. “I think we had some nerves. We play like that sometimes. That 11-point run, that’s the worst of Maryknoll. We changed the offense. The flex wasn’t happening. We went three out, two in with more of a dribble penetration offense.”

That gave Ochoco, Wong and freshman Lindsey Lee more space to drive and set up teammates.

“Once they relaxed and got back in it, by halftime, we were comfortable,” said Furtado, whose team placed fifth in last week’s ‘Iolani Classic.

Punahou was solid, considering coach Kekoa Taliaferro resigned a week ago. New coach Courtney Robinson, who had been an intermediate level coach, had just one week to install her system. The Buffanblu sprinted to the locker room after the final buzzer and stayed there for a long stretch.

“It’s just one game,” Robinson said. “Championships aren’t won in one game. The girls played hard the whole time. They’ve been so resilient through this transition. I’m so proud of them.”

After the shaky start, Maryknoll settled down, committing just one turnover in the second quarter and regaining the lead, thanks to a help-oriented man-to-man defense. Punahou went 2-for-11 from the field in the second quarter as Maryknoll went into halftime with a 21-15 lead.

The visitors battled back and sank three treys in the third quarter, including one from the top of the key by Motooka for a 31-30 edge.

But Maryknoll regained momentum in the fourth. Wong battled on the offensive boards for a putback to give the Spartans the lead for good. After Laboy hit a foul shot, then turned a steal into a layup, the Spartans had a 35-31 lead.

Punahou, which went 6-for-9 from the field in the third quarter, went ice cold in the fourth. The Buffanblu shot 1-for-12 and turned the ball over six times. They got within 35-33 on a low-post bucket by Moe, but got no closer as Maryknoll closed it out with a 6-1 run.

Among those in attendance was Liz Kam, who was a sophomore guard on the ’99 Maryknoll team that upset Punahou.

“We beat them in their gym that year. That was wonderful,” said Kam, now a first-year varsity head coach at Mid-Pacific.

The Spartans were so stoked by that rare win over their neighbors that the school held a pep rally the next day. That won’t happen this time because girls basketball is now in the winter season rather than the spring, and students are on Christmas break.

Taylor was in attendance last night, as well. After coaching at Maryknoll, he went on to coach at Punahou, where he was an elementary school teacher, leading the Buffanblu to four state titles before stepping down two years ago.

Maryknoll has room for improvement at the foul line, where it shot 13-for-28 last night. Punahou was 3-for-8.

ILH Division I girls

No. 2 Kamehameha 57, No. 3 ‘Iolani 46
The second-ranked Warriors fended off the Raiders in their season opener.
Kamehameha’s Alohi Robins-Hardy posted a game-high 15 points, while Iolani senior Alex Masaquel finished with 12.

OIA East Girls

Kaiser 42, Kalani 35
The Cougars pulled away in the third quarter to slip past the Falcons.

Micaela Bitanga led Kaiser with a game-high 14 points, followed by Kayla Soong’s nine.

At Kaiser
Kalani (1-4)	7	14	3	11	—	35
Kaiser (3-1)	10	14	10	8	—	42
KALANI—Carly Kakuda 5, Kimberly Sakamoto 0, Skye Haraga 2, Haley Omiya 5, Kelli Muramaru 5, Taili Iinuma 8, Breanna Beall 6, Samantha Shizuru 4, Sarah Halinowski 0, Alex Salas 0.
KAISER—Roselyn Shimaoka 2, Chantelle Arce 7, Brandi Arita 0, Taylor Chang-Simeona 2, Jazlyne Rojas 0, Kiana Matsumoto 0, Ashley Soong 6, Skye Keao 0, Micaela Bitanga 14, Kayla Soong 9, Kayla Nihipali 0, Alissa Soong 2.
3-point goals—Kalani 4 (Iinuma 2, Beall, Omiya). Kaiser 1 (Arce).
Junior varsity—Kaiser 57, Kalani 37

Moanalua 39, McKinley 33

Lachae McColor and Hoku Mateo each scored 12 points to lead Na Alii past the Tigers.McKinley’s Miranda Schmillen also scored 12 points.

Kalaheo 40, Castle 26
Gabby Clark poured in a game-high 12 points as the Mustangs defeated the Knights.

At Castle
Kalaheo (2-3)	5	13	12	10	—	40
Castle (1-4)	7	8	5	6	—	26
KALAHEO—Lindsey Unsell 2, Jayla Tamashiro 4, Tilani Pua’auli 6, Pauline Gachalian 0, Gabby Clark 12, Tara Takata 3, Ulu Perry 4, Sierra Freitas 2, Jacie Martins 4, Rebecca Kahlbaun 3.
CASTLE—Darrien Dacosin 0, Kiana Tilton 4, Qaire Puaauli-Puahi 5, Qaira Puaauli-Puahi 0, Kamanu Johnston 0, Sunshine Crawford 0, Ella Tiumalu 7, Saesha Tilton 6, Cheyenne Espinda 4.
3-point goals—Kalaheo none. Castle 1 (Tiumalu).
Junior varsity—Castle 54, Kalaheo 17

No. 7 Kahuku 52, Kailua 46
The Surfriders held their own against the seventh-ranked Red Raiders, but fell short with a six-point loss.

Kailua struggled to contain Fia Tailele-Latu as she posted 20 points for Kahuku, followed by Hookela Schwenke’s 10.

Patria Vaimoana led Kailua with 18 points.

At Kahuku
Kailua (2-3)	6	14	14	12	—	46
Kahuku (5-0)	19	4	18	11	—	52
KAILUA—Delcie Williams 8, Sharray Revyelto 0, Keala Kaio-Perez 2, Akamulyn Makua 7, Brianna Kassebeer 9, Saje Perry 2, Patria Vaimoana 18.
KAHUKU—Adora Anae 4, Fia Tailele-Latu 20, Taimane Avei 0, Cybil Cravens 0, Sinamoni Tonga 6, Delycia Seui-Matagi 0, Hookela Schwenke 10, Jovelana Muti 0, Tara Tailele 4, Sina Tito 6, Malia Isala 0, Keana Nauahi 2, Tyra Meredith 0.
3-point goals—Kailua 1 (Makua). Kahuku none.
Junior varsity—Kahuku 51, Kailua 27

OIA West Girls

No. 5 Mililani 77, Campbell 19

The Trojans had four players score in double figures, led by Kaylee Torres’ 19 points in a win over the Sabers.

Nayla Long had 15 points, Kapili Amamalin posted 14 and Kira Arruda added 12 for Mililani.

At Campbell
Mililani (4-0)	18	21	20	18	—	77
Campbell (2-3)	5	2	9	3	—	19
MILILANI—Jerika Dacuycuy 2, Kaylee Torres 19, Megan Madeira 0, Reiko Naniole 0, Kapili Amamalin 14, Alex Ancheta 2, Jamie Yuki 2, Mikaela Limper 7, Kira Arruda 12, Zyriana Davies 2, Mika Gallardo 0, Summer Bolibol 0, Nayla Long 15, Chantell Appleby 2.
CAMPBELL—Cydney Curran 5, Dezlee Lindborg-Sandry 0, Aiza Valeriano 0, Cira Delizo 0, Tiana Ryan 1, Kayla Keliiheleua 2, Brandy Contrades 6, Bethany Scott 2, Sabrina Marzan 3.
3-point goals—Mililani 2 (Arruda 2). Campbell 2 (Curran, Marzan).
Junior varsity—Campbell 40, Mililani 31

Waianae 40, Waipahu 21

The Seariders thumped the Marauders with a 13-point lead at the half.

Makanamakai Kealoha led Waianae with 18 points, sinking five of nine free throw attempts.

At Waianae
Waipahu (1-4)	4	6	5	6	—	21
Waianae (2-2)	15	8	10	7	—	40
WAIPAHU—Shaina Asada 0, Patricia Malala 7, Phil-Joyce Felicitas 3, Krystal Aceret 0, Tammy Viliamu 2, Arriane Joshua Fernandez 0, Arriane Janine Fernandez 0, Nicole Puaa 8, Kuinita Donley 0, Nala Viliamu 1.
WAIANAE—Lokelani Kelii 8, Cayshia Alapai 4, Kuulei Bailey 2, Raegina Atiga 0, Leilani Atuatagi 2, Haley Hughes 0, Alavoni Tukunga 0, Jayrushia Martin 0, Makanamakai Kealoha 18, Raywyne?Atiga 6.
3-point goals—Waipahu 1 (Joyce-Felicitas). Waianae 1 (Kealoha).
Junior varsity—Waianae 38, Waipahu 32

Leilehua 51, Kapolei 24
Tiffany Reyher finished with 14 points as the Mules turned back the Hurricanes.

Elyshia Bowden added 11 points for Leilehua.

At Kapolei
Leilehua (4-1)	19	11	13	8	—	51
Kapolei (2-3)	6	5	5	8	—	24
LEILEHUA—Krizzle Calip 0, Jerilyn Maluyo 9, Tatiana Caravallo 0, Carissa McBride 6, Briana Crawley 7, Tiffany Reyher 14, Elyshia Bowden 11, Tywanna Abbott 4, Azah Quach 0.
KAPOLEI—Chermayne Yago 3, Desiree Vega 2, Anna Souza 3, Amayha Dycus 7, Bernice Ching 4, Jalen Payongayong 0, Raquel Lasconia 0, Gabriella Sanchez 0, Aiga Ah-Ching 0, Sati Helenihi 0, Jennifer Hiliard 0, Kela Whiteurst 2, Malia Folaumahina 2, Dashia Carter 1.
3-point goals—Leilehua 3 (Reyher 3). Kapolei 1 (Yago).
Junior varsity—Leilehua 40, Kapolei 31

Nanakuli 37, Radford 31

Tiare Kaopua racked up 14 points as the Golden Hawks slipped past the Rams.

Nanakuli’s Alexis Meyers added 12 points.

At Nanakuli
Radford (1-2)	7	7	9	8	—	31
Nanakuli (3-1)	11	5	10	11	—	37
RADFORD—Chloe Slocumb 4, Carla Thomas 0, Jannel Rubio 6, McKenna Wall 2, Jasmine Moody 8, Korie Johnson 3, Jazmyn Peralta 5, Kennedy Johnson 3, Kylee Maroum 0, Roselia Lojkar 0.
NANAKULI—Mercy Puni 2, Angelica Chun Fook 3, Keanani Chai 0, Tianna Hanohano 2, Alexis Meyers 12, Sharlene Barrett-Pilialoha 0, Tiare Kaopua 14, Precious Meyers 4, Natalia Kaopua 0.
3-point goals—Radford 1 (Rubio). Nanakuli none.
Junior varsity—Radford 39, Nanakuli 16

ALSO

ILH Girls
Division II junior varsity
St. Francis 34, La Pietra 9