Kapolei defeats St. Francis to reach title game

In the dream scenario for the Saints of St. Francis, the senior class rides to a tournament title.

Instead, that goal was capsized by injury and a gritty band of Kapolei Hurricanes. The 10th-ranked ’Canes got 11 points from Christopher Dillard and 10 from Joshua Wills in a 46-32 semifinal win over No. 8 St. Francis on Friday night in the St. Francis Merv Lopes Hoops Classic at Manoa Valley Recreation Center.

Kapolei (8-6) will meet Foothill (Nev.) in tonight’s 7:30 final; Football beat Thousand Oaks (Calif.) 63-54 in the other semifinal. The ’Canes are on a roll after a lot of ups and downs in the ‘Iolani Classic and Na Menehune OIA-ILH Challenge.

“We’ve learned a lot. To play quality teams like this, we feel fortunate,” coach Gary Ellison said. “We just wanted to play tough man defense and see what happens. We told our bench, without two starters, we all have to step up, and they all stepped up.”

The Saints were without leading scorer Matthew Nuumanaia. The 6-foot-5 senior sat out with a knee injury — a bone bruise on top of a recently sprained MCL.

“He’s a great player. He would’ve made a difference,” Dillard said. “But I probably would’ve been matched up with him and I take pride in my defense, that’s all I can say.”

Dillard used his versatility and wingspan effectively. He made plays from the wing, high post, low post, just about anywhere the bench sent him — particularly with posts Zachary Reeves (concussion) and Elijah Gipson (broken nose) out this week.

“We have strong guards and posts, but I can find a mismatch. I kind of open things up when I have that mismatch,” Dillard said. “If I’m on the wing, I’m going to cut and I’m going to post. I know Curtis (Tavares) can always find me.”

Austin Ursua led St. Francis (14-4) with nine points and three steals and Shabir Lynton added seven points and three steals. With Nuumanaia, a key ballhandler, on crutches, they never got into a rhythm offensively and shot 23 percent (10-for-43) from the field. The Saints also committed 18 turnovers and were outrebounded by the bigger Hurricanes 34-25.

“We made mistakes on top. Our guards weren’t used to the new bigs in there,” coach Sol Batoon said. “Kapolei’s a good team and did good things. They got off the ball well, denied the lanes well. They’re well coached.”

St. Francis led 6-4 on a bank shot by Keoni Tom-Millare before Kapolei took control. A steal and foul-line jumper by Dorian Antonio-Martos put the ’Canes up 8-6 and they stayed on top for good.

A 3-point shot by sophomore Keola Kealoha brought St. Francis within 20-16 going into halftime, but Kapolei went on a 14-6 run in the third quarter.

Wills had three steals on inbound passes to spark the Hurricane defense in the third. After 15-foot jumper by Dillard and a free throw by Elia McKeague, they led 34-22 going into the fourth quarter.

St. Francis got no closer than eight the rest of the way.

“I baited the lane. We really focused on backside defense,” Wills said. “We like to put pressure on them and cause chaos.”

The senior class, including Nuumanaia, Ursua and Lynton, are part of the first group of boys that began to attend St. Francis in 2008. The disappointment will be tempered by some practice time before the ILH Division II opener against Christian Academy on Jan. 5.

“Matt will be back next week,” Batoon said. “He had the MRI and it’s clean.”

The sprain of the MCL happened in a game against Konawaena in last week’s Punahou Invitational. It was near the end of an eight-game stretch in four days — in two tournaments.

“We’re not going to look back. That’s not the reason he got hurt,” Batoon said. “During the summer, we’ve had 14 games in 10 days. We agreed as a team that we’d split up and play in the tournaments.”

St. Francis’ saving grace was defense. Kapolei shot 39 percent from the field (19-for-48) and committed 15 turnovers.

“We do well defensively,” Batoon said. “That’s our signature. We’re in Division II, but we can keep up with the big guys.”

Also

Kamehameha-Hawaii 56, Damien 47
Punahou 51, Kalaheo 49
Farrington 76, Roosevelt 61
Kamehameha II 43, Saint Louis 41
Kahuku 54, Campbell 47
Leilehua 36, Kauai 34

ILH junior varsity boys Division I quarterfinals

Punahou Gold 77, Mid-Pacific 64
Punahou Blue 48, Maryknoll 45

OIA EAST GIRLS

Kaiser 42, Moanalua 38

The Cougars held Na Menehune to just four points in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Micaela Bitanga scored 12 points and Chantelle Arce added 10 for Kaiser.

At Kaiser gym

MOANALUA—Lachae McColor 15, Jasmine Sagaysay 5, Sydnie Canencia 0, Alexis Asunsion 1, Ahi Roy 12, Ciera O’Brien 2, Hoku Mateo 3, Miki Sylva 0.
KAISER—Roselyn Shimaoka 7, Chantelle Arce 10, Brandi Arita 2, Taylor Chang-Simeona 0, Ashley Soong 8, Micaela Bitanga 12, Alissa Soong 3.
3-point goals—Moanalua 6 (Roy 4, McColor, Sagaysay). Kaiser 2 (Arce 2).
Junior varsity—Kaiser 44, Moanalua 40

No. 8 Kahuku 41, Castle 20

The Red Raiders held a 30-9 lead at the half to defeat the Knights.

Fia Tailele-Latu led Kahuku with 13 points.

At Kahuku gym

CASTLE—Shaney Tiumalu 5, Kiana Tilton 0, Qaire Puaauli-Puahi 7, Qaira Puaauli-Puahi 0, Kamanu Johnston 2, Sheastel Tiumalu 6, Chetnne Espinda 0.
KAHUKU—Fia Tailele-Latu 13, Taimane Avei 0, Cybil Cravens 0, Sinamoni Tonga 2, Delycia Seui-Matagi 2, Hookela Schwenke 5, Tara Tailele 7, Sina Tito 4, Malia Isala 4, Keana Nauahi 4, Tyra Meredith 0.
3-point goals—Castle none. Kahuku none.
Junior varsity—Kahuku 45, Castle 27

Also

McKinley 59, Farrington 51
Kaimuki 77, Kalaheo 71, OT
Roosevelt 65, Kalani 28

OIA WEST GIRLS

No. 4 Mililani 78, Waialua 19

Kira Arruda scored 16 points as the Trojans routed the Bulldogs.

Mikaela Limper had 12 points, and Kapili Amamalin and Nayla Long each added 11 for Mililani.

At Waialua gym

MILILANI—Jerika Dacuycuy 8, Kaylee Torres 7, Megan Madeira 0, Reiko Naniole 2, Kapili Amamalin 11, Alex Ancheta 4, Jamie Yuki , Mikaela Limper 12, Kira Arruda 16, Zyriana Davies 3, Mika Gallardo 0, Summer Bolibol 2, Nayla Long 11, Chantell Appleby 2.
WAIALUA—Kamryn Lendio 6, Joni Ermitanio 9, Raydeen Kobayashi-Kajiwara 4.
3-point goals—Mililani 3 (Arruda 2, Torres). Waialua 5 (Ermitanio 3, Lendio 2).

Nanakuli 57, Aiea 54, OT

Angelica Chun Fook scored a layup at the end of overtime, securing the win for the Golden Hawks.

Nanakuli’s Tiare Kaopua, who scored 22 points, made a putback in the final seconds of regulation to send the game into ovetime.

At Nanakuli gym

AIEA—Allysha Cooper-Tabisola 6, Mich’lae Higa 18, Tiara Lindsey-Navaro 5, Jayme Matsuda 1, Paula Mauga 10, Natasha Maroney 0, Pumehana Beltran 14.
NANAKULI—Angelica Chun Fook 5, Keanani Chai 4, Tianna Hanohano 0, Alexis Meyers 13, Sharlene Barrett-Pilialoha 0, Tiare Kaopua 22, Precious Meyers 9, Natalia Kaopua 4.
3-point goals—Aiea none. Nanakuli 2 (P. Meyers, A. Meyers ).
Junior varsity—Aiea 32, Nanakuli 14

No. 10 Leilehua 51, Waianae 18

Carissa Mubride scored 14 points as the Mules defeated the Seariders.

At Waianae

WAIANAE—Cayshia Alapai 0, Jayrusha Martin 0, Alavoni Tukunga 0, Kuulei Bailey 0, Haley Hughes 0, Lokelani Kelii 7, Raegina Atiga 4, Leilani Atuatasi 0, Dessirrei Sivia 2, Makanamakai Kealoha 3, Raywyne Atiga 2.
LEILEHUA—Kirzzle Valip 0, Jerri Maluyo 7, Tatiana Caravallo 0, Carissa Mubride 15, Briana Crawley 8, Tiffany Reyher 6, Elyshia Bowden 7, Tywana Abbot 8, Azalu Quauh 0.
3-points goals—Waianae 1 (Kelii). Leilehua 1 (Maluyo)
Junior varsity—Waianae 24, Leilehua 20

Kapolei 51, Pearl City 16

Charmayne Yago had 12 points and Raquel Lasconia added 11 to lead the Hurricanes past the Chargers.

At Kapolei gym

PEARL CITY—Kacie Chinen 2, Jurey Jao 3, Shandy Frantz 0, Valencia Faateleupu 1, Taylor Inong 2, Amber Bala 2, Ciera Sylva 0, Yubin Cho 0, Megan Ramos 0, Johnneen Kapua 6.
KAPOLEI—Chermayne Yago 12, Desiree Vega 8, Anna Souza 4, Bernice Ching 7, Jalen Payongayong 2, Raquel Lasconia 11, Gabriella Sanchez 1, Aiga Ah-Ching 0, Martina Aspiroz 0, Sati Helenihi 1, Jennifer Hiliard 4, Kela Whiteurst 1, Malia Folaumahina 0, Dashia Carter 0.
3-point goals—Pearl City none. Kapolei 2 (Yago, Ching).
Junior varsity—Pearl City 23, Kapolei 19