HBA, Damien play stall ball in tight ILH Division II race

When Hawaii Baptist visited Damien on Saturday, fans may have expected another tough battle in ILH Division II play.

After all, despite the designation, Damien was the giant among the bunch. With 6-foot-7 Kapi‘ina King in the middle, the Monarchs were 6-3 coming into the regular season, notching wins over teams like Kaimuki, Radford and Roosevelt. Going into Saturday’s game with HBA, Damien was 4-2 in ILH D-II play.

Hawaii Baptist, which had already rallied to beat Damien 51-48 two weeks earlier, was hoping to nudge higher in the standings. But it faced a dilemma, so against a lineup of King and four other Monarchs ranging from 6-2 to 6-4 on Saturday, coach George Weeks decided to go against the grain — his grain.

The visiting Eagles held the ball in the first quarter, stunning fans who had grown accustomed to Weeks’ penchant over the years for run-and-gun basketball. The slowdown strategy proved somewhat effective for a half. HBA held the ball in the first quarter, hoping to pull the towering Monarchs out of their zone defense. Fans were vocal about their displeasure with the stall tactic, echoing chants of "Boring! Boring!"

When Damien had a 2-0 lead and the ball to start the second quarter, the Monarchs opted to do their own freeze. They hit a 3 before the buzzer and led 5-0 at the half before pulling away to a 34-20 win. King finished with just nine points, but Jaylen Layco still managed to score 12. HBA’s leading scorer, B.J. Hosaka, tied a season-low with seven points.

The pressure is heavy, even in a year when ILH D-II has two guaranteed state berths for the first time. Four teams — Damien, HBA, St. Francis and University — are tied for first place at 5-2. The winner of the third-place playoff tournament will travel to the Big Island to play the BIIF’s runner-up for another state berth.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Jordan Gomes
Pearl City soccer

Closed the OIA semifinals and finals with wins as the Chargers’ shootout keeper after helping hold opponents to one goal in four games at halfback.

HONOR ROLL

GIRLS SOCCER 

» Megan Goo, ‘Iolani: Had a hat trick in a win over Mid-Pacific.
» Nikki Mitsuyasu, ‘Iolani: Scored three goals against Mid-Pac and assisted on the lone goal in a win over Kamehameha.
» Keely York, Kalaheo: Scored a goal in the OIA White championship against Leilehua.

BOYS SOCCER

» Peter Kanoho, Kailua: Scored three goals against Farrington.
» Naia Graham, Kailua: Had a hat trick against Farrington.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

» Delcie Williams, Kailua: Scored 22 points in a win over Waianae and 21 points in a win over Leilehua.
» Sarah Liva, Mililani: Scored 28 points in a win over Moanalua in the OIA semifinals.
» LaChae McColor, Moanalua: Scored 22 points in a loss to Mililani.
» Vikatolia Naulu, Lutheran: Scored 25 points in a win over Christian Academy and 26 in a loss to Hawaiian Mission Academy.
» Alohi Robins-Hardy, Kamehameha: Scored 21 points in a win over ‘Iolani.
» Penina Faumui, Farrington: Had 25 points in a win over Castle.

BOYS BASKETBALL

» Matthew Urcia, Christian Academy: Scored 20 points in a win over Hawaiian Mission Academy.
» Justin Kam, Punahou: Scored 29 points with seven 3-pointers in a win over Saint Louis.
» Jordan Riley, Radford: Scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a win over Waialua.
» Josh Burnett, Maryknoll: Scored 27 points in a win over Mid-Pacific.
» Shaun Aque, Aiea: Scored 12 of his 25 points in the third quarter of a win over Nanakuli.
» Jacob McEnroe, Farrington: Scored 28 points in a win over Kaimuki.
» Jaycob Smith, Kamehameha: Scored 25 points in an overtime win over ‘Iolani and followed it up with 17 in a win over Punahou.
» Hirkley Latu, Kahuku: Scored 20 points in a win over Kalani.
» Noel Bueno, Mililani: Scored 21 points in a win over Pearl City.
» Elijah Butler, Mililani: Scored 20 points in a win over Pearl City.
» Xavier Repollo, Waialua: Scored 22 points in a loss to Leilehua.
» Ranan Mamiya, St. Francis: Had 20 points in a win over Le Jardin.
» Kupaa Harrison, Kalaheo: Scored 21 points in a win over McKinley.
» Jonah Bredeson, Konawaena: Scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

SWIMMING

» Jasmine Mau, Punahou: Broke three records and helped the Buffanblu claim the ILH team championship.
» Maddie Balish, Punahou: Broke the ILH championship meet record in the 100 breaststroke.
» Ryan Stack, Kamehameha: Won two individual events and swam on two relay wins at the ILH championships.
» Sung Je Lee, ‘Iolani: Won the 200 free and 100 fly at the ILH championships.

TOP 10 POLLS
Voted on by coaches and media from around the state. First-place votes in parentheses. Ten points for first place, nine for second, eight for third, etc.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Also receiving votes: Campbell 14, Saint Louis 10, Moanalua 5, Kahuku 5, Kailua 4, Mililani 2, Saint Francis 1.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Also receiving votes: Farrington 7, Leilehua 4, Honokaa 3, Hawaii Baptist 1.