With its leading scorer hobbling along, Kaimuki turned to point guard Canny Aikau to bear the burden.
Aikau, a senior, played all 32 minutes, scoring seven points and keeping the Bulldogs together in a 48-39 girls basketball win over Castle on Friday night at Kaimuki’s gym.
Kaimuki improved to 4-4 in OIA play, while Castle dropped to 1-7 despite winning the battle under the boards. The Knights outrebounded the smaller Bulldogs
38-28, but didn’t have a complete solution to stop Princess Lauvao.
The senior wing scored 21 points, hitting four 3-point shots, and grabbed six rebounds despite a chip (fracture) of her right ankle. Lauvao suffered the injury on Dec. 22 against Moanalua, but played through the injury last week, scoring 39 points, including 25 of 27 from the free-throw line, in an overtime win over Kalaheo after receiving Samoan-style massage on the ankle.
This time out, however, coach Mona Faasoa had the 5-foot-8 scorer on a leash of sorts.
"I didn’t let her drive. I wanted more pull-ups and outside shots," Faasoa said. "I’m trying to save her for the playoffs."
Valerie Wilson added nine points, while Julia Soares hustled for six rebounds and three steals for Kaimuki.
"We just have to suck it up," Aikau said of Lauvao’s injury. "And just keep going. Sometimes, I have to do everything on my own. Sometimes the other players don’t want the ball, so I have to tell them to shoot the ball. Valerie’s coming along slowly."
Sheastel Tiumalu led Castle with 15 points, scoring 14 in the second half. Shaney Tiumalu and Darrien Dacosin chipped in 10 points apiece, and Cheyenne Espinda had a team-high nine rebounds.
Kaimuki used its quick guards to create havoc on sideline and halfcourt traps. Castle committed 23 turnovers, while Kaimuki had just 13.
"We tested out certain things we wouldn’t try against other teams," Faasoa said. "But we gave up too many points."
Aikau, with four steals and strong court presence, kept Kaimuki on track while Lauvao came off the bench in each quarter. When Lauvao entered with about 5 minutes to go in the opening quarter, she took a while to get going against Castle’s sticky 2-3 matchup zone.
The Knights later went to a 1-2-2 zone that Aikau dissected with precision, and Lauvao wound up drilling her first five shots. She had 13 points by halftime, including eight in the second quarter, to help Kaimuki open a 26-15 lead.
Tiumalu went on a roll for Castle in the third quarter, scoring eight points to bring the Knights within 33-28. After Qaire Puaauli-Puahi scored in transition to start the fourth quarter, the visitors were within 34-30.
Lauvao, who missed 10 shots in a row after hitting her first five, nailed a 3 from the right wing to curb Castle’s momentum. Lauvao hit a mid-range jumper to open the margin to nine.
Castle was within 40-33 when Tiumalu went up to block a layup attempt by Wilson. Tiumalu was called for a foul, however, and a Castle player was then whistled for a technical foul. Wilson hit her free throws, Lauvao sank the two technical-foul shots, and Kaimuki got the ball back. Lauvao then fed Wilson for a layup, and suddenly the Bulldogs had a 46-33 lead with 2:38 to go.
"The referee said it was unsportsmanlike," Castle coach Ven Agullana said of the technical. "I thought it was a clean block. I’ll always back up my girls. But I talked to her and told her to keep her head in the game."
At Kaimuki
| Castle (1-7) |
9 |
6 |
13 |
11 |
— |
39 |
| Kaimuki (4-4) |
11 |
15 |
8 |
14 |
— |
48 |
CASTLE–Shaney Tiumalu 10, Darrien Dacosin 10, Qaire Puaauli-Puahi 4, Cheyenne Espinda 0, Sheastel Tiumalu 15, Saesha Tilton 0.
KAIMUKI–Nikki Vongprachanh 3, Valerie Wilson 9, Canny Aikau 7, Luis Moala 0, Alison Pologa 4, Telbi Tikon 0, Julia Soares 4, Alexa Miller 0, Princess Lauvao 21.
3-point goals–Castle 2 (Dacosin 2), Kaimuki 5 (Lauvao 4, Wilson).
Junior varsity–Castle 53, Kaimuki 16
OIA East Girls
Farrington 47, Kalani 35
Penina Faumui scored a game-high 28 points to lead the Governors past the Falcons.
At Farrington
| Kalani (2-6) |
12 |
6 |
8 |
9 |
— |
35 |
| Farrington (2-6) |
16 |
10 |
9 |
12 |
— |
47 |
KALANI–Carly Kakuda 4, Kimberly Sakamoto 0, Skye Haraga 6, Haley Omiya 5, Kelli Muramaru 5, Taili Iinuma 5, Breanna Beall 7, Samantha Shizuru 0, Sarah Halinowksi 0, Alex Salas 3.
FARRINGTON–Leah Ramos 0, Hazel Artates 0, Nani Cabato-Machado 3, Megan Aquinaldo 3, Christine Manganaan 0, Tiare Medeiros 2, Jessica Vele, Penina Faumui 28, Jeneva Toilolo 11, Erin Perry 0.
3-point goals–Kalani 3 (Omiya, Iinuma, Beall). Farrington 1 (Cabato-Machado).
McKinley 60, Kailua 40
Miranda Schmillen scored 19 points, nailing two 3-pointers to lead the Tigers.
At Kailua
| McKinley (5-3) |
15 |
15 |
17 |
13 |
— |
60 |
| Kailua (4-4) |
6 |
10 |
12 |
12 |
— |
40 |
MCKINLEY–Mariz Navarro 11, Laika Aragon 15, Miranda Schmillen 19, Tiare Sugui 6, Jessica Damato 0, Porsche Santiago 0, Savanna Gonzales 1, Taisha Thompson 8, Deborah Malaga 0, Kamalani Puunznes 0, Tino Mulitauaopele 0, Chelsea Tafai 0.
KAILUA–Delcie Williams 4, Choryn Beall 1, Sharray Revyelto 0, Kalia Ripley 4, Keala Kaio-Perez 6, Akamulyn Makua 5, Apolonia Fealofani 2, Brianna Kassebeer 5, Saje Perry 3, Patria Vaimoana 10.
3-point goals–McKinley 6 (Aragon 3, Schmillen 2, Navarro). Kailua 1 (Makua).
Junior varsity–McKinley 51, Kailua 29
OIA West Girls
No. 4 Mililani 66, Radford 34
Nayla Long scored 21 points as the Trojans defeated the Rams to stay unbeaten in conference play.
At Mililani
| Radford (3-3) |
10 |
7 |
11 |
6 |
— |
34 |
| Mililani (7-0) |
18 |
12 |
20 |
16 |
— |
66 |
RADFORD–Chloe Slocumb 8, Carla Thomas 4, Jannel Rubio 5, McKenna Wall 5, Avina Ulu 0, Jasmine Moody 2, Korie Johnson 6, Jazmyn Peralta 0, Kennedy Johnson 0, Felicianna Vasquez 4, Kylee Maroum 0, Roselia Lojkar 0.
MILILANI–Jerika Dacuycuy 2, Kaylee Torres 10, Megan Madeira 0, Reiko Naniole 1, Alex Ancheta 2, Mikaela Limper 9, Kira Arruda 8, Zyriana Davies 7, Mika Gallardo 0, Summer Bolibol 2, Nayla Long 21, Chantell Appleby 4.
3-point goals–Radford 2 (Rubio, Wall). Mililani 1 (Limper).
Junior varsity–Radford 36, Mililani 27
Kapolei 52, Waialua 21
Chermayne Yago scored 13 points, including three 3-pointers, to lead the Hurricanes.
At Kapolei
| Waialua (1-7) |
4 |
7 |
4 |
6 |
— |
21 |
| Kapolei (5-3) |
8 |
15 |
25 |
4 |
— |
52 |
WAIALUA–K.C. Ramelb 0, Kiana Paakaula-Reis 0, Leilani Maluyo 0, Kamryn Lendio 8, Kaydence Haley 0, Myra Agcaoli 0, Joni Ermitanio 0, Raydeen Kobayashi-Kajiwara 9, Via Mae Pascua 0, Kayla Kapika 0, Dhyrille Moraleda 2,Taylor Saguibo 0, Liliana Marks 0, Gabriella Delgado 2, Gemelie Hatme 0.
KAPOLEI–Chermayne Yago 13, Desiree Vega 6, Anna Souza 11, Bernice Ching 0, Jalen Payongayong 0, Raquel Lasconia 2, Gabriella Sanchez 0, Aiga Ah-Ching 3, Martina Aspiroz 0, Sati Helenihi 0, Kela Whiteurst 11, Malia Folaumahina 4, Dashia Carter 2.
3-point goals–Waialua 3 (Kobayashi-Kajiwara 2, Lendio). Kapolei 4 (Yago 3, Ah-Ching ).
Nanakuli 45, Pearl City 9
Tiare Kaopua scored 15 points for the Golden Hawks.
At Pearl City
| Nanakuli (4-2) |
7 |
16 |
8 |
14 |
— |
45 |
| Pearl City (0-7) |
2 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
— |
9 |
NANAKULI–Mercy Puni 6, Angelica Chun Fook 4, Keanani Chai 4, Tianna Hanohano 4, Alexis Meyers , Sharlene Barrett-Pilialoha 6, Tiare Kaopua 15, Precious Meyers 2, Natalia Kaopua 0, Renise Laa 4.
PEARL CITY–Kacie Chinen 3, Jurey Jao 2, Shandy Frantz 2, Valencia Faateleupu 0, Taylor Inong 0, Amber Bala 0, Ciera Sylva 0, Yubin Cho 0, Lexi Blalock 0, Johnnai Kapua 0, Agassi Augasa 0, Megan Ramos 2, Johnneen Kapua 0.
3-point goals–Nanakuli none. Pearl City 1 (Chinen).
Junior varsity–Pearl City 27, Nanakuli 20
Waianae 44, Campbell 32
Lokelani Kelii scored 14 points and Raegina Atiga added 12 as the Seariders topped the Sabers.
At Campbell
| Waianae (3-4) |
11 |
12 |
9 |
12 |
— |
44 |
| Campbell (2-5) |
9 |
8 |
4 |
11 |
— |
32 |
WAIANAE–Lokelani Kelii 14, Cayshia Alapai 2, Alavoni Tukunga 0, Raegina Atiga 12, Nui Sivia 2, Leilani Atuatagi 3, Haley Hughes 0, Jayrushia Martin 0, Makana Kealoha 8, Raywyne Atiga 3.
CAMPBELL–Cydney Curran 6, Dezlee Lindborg-Sandry 4, Aiza Valeriano 0, Cira Delizo 8, Kayla Keliiheleua 6, Brandy Contrades 0, Bethany Scott 3, Sabrina Marzan 3, Marie Togiailua 2.
3-point goals–Waianae 2 (Kelii 2). Campbell 2 (Curran, Delizo).
Junior varsity–Waianae 48, Campbell 35
Also
BIIF
Varsity boys
Hawaii Prep 59, Laupahoehoe 21
