Gary DeCesare’s St. Rita team didn’t have much time to acclimate to Hawaii before taking the court on Wednesday. But after escaping the snow in Chicago, the Mustangs didn’t take long to warm up in their ‘Iolani Classic debut.
St. Rita landed in Honolulu about 25 hours before tip-off for its tournament opener against Kailua, and the sibling combo of Dominique and Charles Matthews powered the Mustangs to a 62-29 win at the ‘Iolani gym.
"I’m still tired from that flight," Dominique Matthews said after posting a game-high 17 points. "It was a little rough. We didn’t go to shoot-around this morning, we just went out there and played. But we still went out and played hard.
"I felt I had to loosen up a little. Toward the second half, we started to pick it up a little bit."
In his fifth year as St. Rita’s head coach, DeCesare remained undefeated in the ‘Iolani Classic in his second trip to the tournament. He led St. Raymond’s (N.Y.) to a 4-0 run and the tournament title in 1990.
"When we were leaving (Chicago) they were de-icing the plane and three inches of snow was coming down," DeCesare said. "Just being able to experience a different place is fantastic.
"I came here in (1990) and to this day I still talk to my former players and the one thing they talk about is the trip to Hawaii."
St. Rita will face Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) in a quarterfinal game today at 6:30 p.m. Roman Catholic routed Oroku (Okinawa)
77-38 in Wednesday’s first game.
"I just told them we have to play four games in four days and it’s tough to do that," DeCesare said. "Especially when you’re on a plane nine or 10 hours and you’re away from home and we have to come together and we have to do it as a team."
Kailua and Oroku meet in a consolation-bracket game at 12:30 p.m.
Most of St. Rita’s production on Wednesday came from the Matthews brothers as Charles Matthews — a 6-foot-6 guard regarded as one of the nation’s top juniors — complemented 6-2 Dominique with 14 points and hit three 3-pointers in his return from a sprained ankle.
"He’s been hurt, so we’re just bringing him along slowly," DeCesare said of Charles Matthews, who has schools such as Kentucky, Michigan State, Duke and Kansas among his pursuers.
Kailua was one of the eight teams in the inaugural ‘Iolani Classic in 1983, but hadn’t made another appearance in the tournament until Wednesday.
"It’s an honor for us to be able to be part of this tournament. When (the players) found out at tryouts, they were very excited," Kailua coach Wally Marciel said.
The Surfriders finished second in the Division II state tournament in February and Marciel views experiences such as this week’s at ‘Iolani as an important facet in making the transition to Division I.
Sophomore Kamu Scheer led Kailua with eight points as the Surfriders started two sophomores and 6-3 freshman Christian Mejia, who matched up in the post with 6-8 Myles Carter.
Westchester (Calif.) 70, Kamehameha 34
The Comets raced out to a 27-4 lead after the first quarter and advanced to today’s 8 p.m. quarterfinal matchup with Hamilton.
Elijah Stewart led Westchester with 15 points and Nick Hamilton finished with 10.
Kamehameha guard Noa Kinimaka scored a game-high 16 points. The Warriors face Moanalua at 2 p.m.
Roman Catholic (Pa.) 77, Oroku (Okinawa) 38
Rashann London scored 15 points and Shep Garner added 14 and the Cahillites pulled away from the undersized Trojans from Okinawa.
Crisp ball movement helped Oroku set up open shots early on. But Roman Catholic led 22-14 after the first quarter, then held Oroku to two points in the second.
Hamilton (Wis.) 83, Moanalua 48
Kevon Looney, a 6-9 UCLA commit, scored 25 points and Danya Kingsby added 21 in the Wildcats’ win over Na Menehune.
Jamaal Willis hit two from long range and was effective slicing to the basket to lead Moanalua with 20 points. Aaron Stuart finished with 15.
GIRLS ILH DIVISION I
Defending state champion Kamehameha opened Interscholastic League of Honolulu play with a resounding 80-41 win over Sacred Hearts on Wednesday.
The Warriors, ranked No. 1 in the first Star-Advertiser Top 10 poll released Tuesday, were led by 2013 All-State picks, Tiare Kanoa, who had a game-high 19 points, and Alohi Robins-Hardy (16).
| At Sacred Hearts |
| KS (1-0) |
20 |
18 |
19 |
23 |
— |
80 |
| SHA (0-1) |
12 |
7 |
8 |
14 |
— |
41 |
KAMEHAMEHA—Brooke Kaawa 0, Breann Nueku 7, Kea Ryder 6, Miki‘ala Maio 4, Kanoe Marks-Mahoe 8, Shelbey Cadinha-Oku 4, Alohi Robins-Hardy 16, Tiare Kanoa 19, Nicole Kaaihue 4, Shantel Aleki 12.
SACRED HEARTS—Tiare Libarios-Moses 9, Hoku Rutkowski 0, Keala Rutkowski 0, Tristin Martin 0, Kaela Fiesta 11, Jessica Hanashiro 7, Sirena Aiwohi 0, Erica Pagan 3, Celina Pagan 11.
3-point goals—Kamehameha none. Sacred Hearts none.
NO. 3 MARYKNOLL 55
NO. 7 PUNAHOU 45
Alexis Delovio scored 12 points and Maia Laboy had 10 to lead the Spartans over the Buffanblu. Tyra Moe had 11 points in the loss.
| At Punahou |
| Maryknoll (1-0) |
6 |
22 |
16 |
11 |
— |
55 |
| Punahou (0-1) |
8 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
— |
45 |
MARYKNOLL—Alexis Delovio 12, Maile Goodin 3, Maya Rodriguez-Chang 0, Maia Laboy 10, Cianna Ochoco 9, Kaile Cambra 5, Maegaen Martin 6, Lindsey Lee 6, Siena Shupe 4.
PUNAHOU—Keaupono Fey 6, Lexie Taylor 0, Elle Uyeda 5, Heaven Wong 0, Hailey Motooka 4, Astra Kidani 3, Asia Olivieri 6, Va’e Malufau 2, Samantha Alakai 4, Tyra Moe 11, Abigail Aplaca 0, Kamaile Kandiah 4. 3-point goals—Maryknoll 3 (Goodin, Ochoco, Cambra). Punahou 2 (Uyeda, Kidani).
NO. 9 ‘IOLANI 48
MID-PACIFIC 29
Jade Botelho scored 12 points and Brooke Kaneshiro added 11 as the Raiders rocked the Owls.
Mid-Pacific’s Pua Kanekoa finished with a game-high 13 points in the loss.
| At Mid-Pacific |
| ‘Iolani (1-0) |
13 |
13 |
18 |
4 |
— |
48 |
| Mid-Pacific (0-1) |
9 |
9 |
1 |
10 |
— |
29 |
‘IOLANI—Brooke Kaneshiro 11, Emily Nomura 2, Klein Masutani 2, Brooke Maeda 2, Sierra Buscher 0, Kelsi Ikeda 7, Lindsey Combs 0, Camy Aguinaldo 5, Jessica Otsu 3, Alyssa Finger 0, Sunshine Saucedo 0, Skylar Nakata 4, Jade Botelho 12.
MID-PACIFIC—Harley Simon 1, Lia Nakamoto 0, Kerry Ellen Chun 5, Kayla Muraoka 4, Judy Phan 0, Emily Ma 2, Pua Kanekoa 13, Courtney Tom 4.
3-point goals—‘Iolani 5 (Kaneshiro 3, Ikeda, Aguinaldo). Mid-Pacific 1 (Kanekoa).
ILH DIVISION II
HAWAII BAPTIST 38
UNIVERSITY 34
Stephanie Dang scored 12 points to lead the Eagles past the Junior Bows.
| At Klum Gym |
| UHS (0-1) |
4 |
4 |
5 |
21 |
— |
34 |
| HBA (1-0) |
10 |
7 |
11 |
10 |
— |
38 |
UNIVERSITY—Malia Parpana 0, Markayisha Masani 6, Brenna Dela Rosa 2, Paige Salavea 0, Michelle Au 5, Kyra Young 9, Malie Adams 3, Brooke Kodama 9, Jocelyn Ki 0.
HAWAII BAPTIST—Kiara Chun 0, Jennifer Gonsalves 0, Stephanie Dang 12, Sara Utsugi 0, Nicole Lopes 0, Ashley Benn 2, Rylie Wada 8, Caitlen Joy Ramos 0, Taylor White 4, Kaily Lum 1, Keisha Ching 0, Jenee Brown 5, Dominique Hart 6.
3-point goals—University 3 (Dung 2, Wada). Hawaii Baptist 3 (Masani, Young, Kodama).
Also
St. Francis 50, La Pietra 36
OIA EAST
NO. 8 ROOSEVELT 57
MCKINLEY 32
Keala Quinlan scored 14 of her game-high 22 points in the first half as the Rough Riders routed the Tigers.
| At Roosevelt |
| McKinley (1-3) |
2 |
5 |
13 |
12 |
— |
32 |
| Roosevelt (3-0) |
15 |
18 |
15 |
9 |
— |
57 |
MCKINLEY—Angelica Balinbin 0, Tiare Sugui 11, Joselle Ferrer 0, Porsche Santiago 9, Chelsea Tafai 8, Savanna Gonzales 2, Deborah Malaga 2.
ROOSEVELT—Ashley Kiko 0, Sharice Kawakami 6, Tavae Sina Sofa 5, Starr Rivera 6, Kaohi Kapiko 2, Devyn Kauhi 6, Keala Quinlan 22, Destiny Holani 0, Muna Cook 1, Tatiana Mariano 9.
3-point goals—McKinley 3 (Sugui 2, Santiago). Roosevelt 1 (Sina Sofa).
Junior varsity—Roosevelt 65, McKinley 10
MOANALUA 45
KAIMUKI 17
Lachae McColor and Hokulani Mateo had eight points each as Na Menehune rolled past the Bulldogs to remain undefeated.
| At Kaimuki |
| Moanalua (4-0) |
8 |
16 |
9 |
12 |
— |
45 |
| Kaimuki (0-4) |
1 |
3 |
8 |
5 |
— |
17 |
MOANALUA—Lachae McColor 8, Sydnie Canencia 2, Jasmine Sagaysay 5, Ciera O’Brien 0, Keahi-lele Roy 5, Skyena Antolin 2, Sienna Ho 3, Chelsea Guerrero 2, Hokukealani Mateo 8, Dasia Julian 2, Jazmina Iafitaga 0, Cherie Bento 2, Kevynne Fountain-Pokipala 4, Tiare Curran 2, Breana Padua 0.
KAIMUKI—Jenny Jesse 5, Seplynn Aikau 4, Valerie Wilson 6, Perpetua Bregoli 0, Brandy Pfeiffer-Kekoa 2.
3-point goals—Moanalua 3 (Sagaysay, Roy, Ho). Kaimuki 2 (Aikau, Wilson).
Junior varsity—Moanalua 56, Kaimuki 12
KAILUA 50
KAHUKU 49
Patria Vaimoana scored 21 points and Delcie Williams had 11 to help the Surfriders hold off the Red Raiders. Adora Anae and Mariah Berard-Kamakeeaina scored 13 points each for Kahuku.
| At Kailua |
| Kahuku (0-3) |
15 |
15 |
6 |
13 |
— |
49 |
| Kailua (3-1) |
21 |
14 |
8 |
7 |
— |
50 |
KAHUKU—Taimane Avei 4, Eleni Beatty 2, Nasanua Leitupo-Asuao 4, Sosia Tonga 9, Debra Baranaba-Setoki 0, Adora Anae 13, Abby Anderson 0, Lavania Brown 2, Cybil Cravens 2, Laken Teo, 0 Mariah Berard-Kamakeeaina 13, Hookela Schwenke 0.
KAILUA—Delcie Williams 11, Keala Kaio-Perez 7, Kainani Peters 0, Leilani Lastimosa 4, Tara Takata 2, Akamulyn Makua 0, Christine Antonio 0, Tiani Lastimosa 1, Choryn Beall 0, Kahoa Mikaele 4, Patria Vaimoana 21.
3-point goals—Kahuku 1 (Tonga). Kailua 1( Kaio-Perez).
Junior varsity—Kahuku 59, Kailua 23
OIA WEST
NO. 5 MILILANI 59
NO. 10 NANAKULI 24
Mikaela Limper scored 19 points and Sarah Liva had 16 to help the Trojans hand the Golden Hawks their first loss.
| At Mililani |
| Nanakuli (3-1) |
11 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
— |
24 |
| Mililani (3-0) |
21 |
15 |
17 |
6 |
— |
59 |
NANAKULI—Alana Nuuanu 4, Jade Marfil 2, Keanani Chai 1, Tianna Hanohano 5, Alexis Paulo-Meyers 6, Kawehi Choy 0, Natalia Kaopua 4, Renise Laa 2.
MILILANI—Jerika Dacuycuy 4, Kaylee Torres 0, Kristen Tamagawa 4, Alex Ancheta 4, Mikaela Limper 19, Kristen Miguel 2, Shantell Appleby 6, Summer Bolibol 4, Sarah Liva 16, Janiya Reese 0.
3-point goals—Nanakuli 1 (Hanohano). Mililani 3 (Limper 3).
Junior varsity—Mililani 52, Nanakuli 33
CAMPBELL 42
WAIALUA 23
Cydney Curran scored 15 points and Sabrina Marzan added 13 as the Sabers blasted the Bulldogs.
| At Waialua |
| Campbell (1-3) |
18 |
5 |
14 |
5 |
— |
42 |
|
| Waialua (0-4) |
4 |
10 |
8 |
1 |
— |
23 |
CAMPBELL—Cydney Curran 15, Charis Curran 0, Sabrina Marzan 13, Brandy Contrades 4, Jessica Samate 2, Shyanna Fernandez 4, Julia Ernest 4.
WAIALUA—Keady Hatchett 4, Kiana Paakauila 3, Candace Basilio 4, Athena Bayudam 0, Kayla Kapika 2, Alania Bayudam 0, Via Mae Pascua 0, Chelsea Pascua 2, Elena Rivera 0, Liliana Marks 0, Gabriella Delgado 4, Gemelie Hatchie 0, Kaitlin Ayonon 4.
3-point goals—Campbell 3 (Marzan 2, Curran). Waialua none.
RADFORD 45
PEARL CITY 35
Jasmine Moody scored 22 points, converting 10 of 16 free throws, to lead the Rams past the Chargers.
| At Pearl City |
| Radford (3-1) |
5 |
15 |
8 |
17 |
— |
45 |
| Pearl City (1-2) |
6 |
4 |
7 |
18 |
— |
35 |
RADFORD—Brianea Annussek 0, Chloe Slocomb 4, Courtney McCreary 2, Kristin Abad 1, Carla Thomas 0, Jazmin Peralta 3, Jasmine Moody 22, Kennedy Johnson 0, Jamie Stagger 0, Jessyca Wolford 3, Cassidy Wright 1, Deja Tavale 9.
PEARL CITY—Ciera Sylva 8, Jurey Jao 4, Christine Fuimaono 2, Tianna Amorin 1, Kayelah Arakaki 11, Brandee Huihui 0, Chiemi Trias 4, Sina Sinclair 2, Megan Ramos 2, Louise Pekelo 1.
3-point goals—Radford none. Pearl City none.
Junior varsity—Radford 35, Pearl City 24
WAIANAE 45
AIEA 43
Rose Tulimasealii poured in 23 points as the Seariders held off Na Alii.
| At Aiea |
| Waianae (2-2) |
13 |
11 |
13 |
8 |
— |
45 |
| Aiea (2-2) |
9 |
11 |
5 |
18 |
— |
43 |
WAIANAE—Cayshia Alapai 2, Jayrusha Martin 0, Tayhila-Lee Chong 6, Lauren Tauanuu 1, Berlin Johnson 4, Felicia Scanlon 0, Dessirre Sivia 0, Rose Tulimasealii 23, Kuulei Bailey 0, Raywyne Atiga 3, Raegine Atiga 6, Shania Kapua 0.
AIEA—Allysha Cooper-Tabisola 10, Mich’lae Higa 18, Kyle Johnson 8, Kailly Paulo 2, Vien Crisostomo 0, Emekina Lautalo 5.
3-point goals—Waianae 2 (Chong, Johnson). Aiea none.
Junior varsity—Waianae 35, Aiea 21.
LEILEHUA 48
KAPOLEI 34
Tiffany Reyher scored 15 points, including three 3-pointers, to lead the Mules past the Hurricanes.
| At Leilehua |
| Kapolei (1-2) |
10 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
— |
34 |
| Leilehua (4-0) |
15 |
8 |
12 |
13 |
— |
48 |
KAPOLEI—Raquel Lasconia 8, Ty White 3, Amayha Dycus 6, Samantha Eslava 0, Deshia Carter 0, Gabby Sanchez 2, Kaitlyn Lanier 9, Sati Helenihi 0, Jennifer Hillard 0, Vai Fuiava 0, Kela Whitehurst 6.
LEILEHUA—Ariel Cabello 0, Chloe Pojas 0, Tatiana Carvallo 6, Jerri Maluyo 6, Tywanna Abbott 11, Chyel Palmer 2, Paige Kimura 0, Tiffany Reyher 15, Deja Bryant 2, Gina Manumu’a 4, Mere McKenzie 2, Azah Quach 0, Elisha Sole 0.
3-point goals—Kapolei 1 (White). Leilehua 5 (Reyher 3, Carvalho 2).
Junior varsity—Leilehua 35, Kapolei 19
