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Tristan Nichols scored 20 points, including a go-ahead layup with 30 seconds left, as No. 8-ranked Saint Louis overcame a major comeback by No. 7 Kalaheo for a 63-60 win on Saturday in the finals of the Pete Smith Classic.
Nichols’ bucket on a feed from Isaac Slade-Matautia gave the Crusaders a 61-60 lead. After a Kalaheo time out, Nichols poked the ball away from Kalaheo’s Alex Layi next to the baseline, and the ball was awarded to the visitors when Layi’s leg touched out of bounds.
Then came a play against Kalaheo’s highly effective fullcourt press that had Kalaheo’s bench steamed. Kekai Smith (17 points, five assists, six steals) deflected a backcourt pass by Saint Louis.
“The ball went off my hand and then it went off (Slade-Matautia’s) hand,” Smith said.
As the ball headed out of bounds, Slade-Matautia put his great athleticism to use and leaped out to save the ball. He turned in mid-air and heaved it underhanded across the court to Nichols, who drove to the basket and drew a foul. He hit both free throws for a 63-60 lead with 13.6 seconds left.
It was a bitter end for the Mustangs, who trailed 51-39 early in the fourth quarter.
“(No.) 33 was out of bounds. His feet were clearly out,” Kalaheo coach Rob Pardini said of Slade-Matautia’s save.
Smith agreed.
“I saw one of his feet go out,” the senior guard said.
Captain Whitlock (18 points) managed to fake his man into the air on the next possession, but his somewhat open 3-point try from the top missed with five seconds left. The clock ran out on the chase for the rebound.
Nichols added 13 rebounds for the sturdy Crusaders. Jaymason Nunuha had 19 points, hitting all three of his 3-point tries, and seven rebounds.
Kearney added 11 points for Saint Louis.
“I think Kalaheo is going to the state championship game,” Saint Louis coach Allan Silva said. “That kid (Kekai Smith) is a great player and he’s going to lead them.”
It was after the game that Silva learned that Smith is a grandson of the tourney’s namesake, the late and legendary Kalaheo coach Pete Smith.
“I grew up on the same street as Pete. Kekai has the same, sound fundamentals,” Silva said.
Smith was glad about his team’s rally, but wanted the title badly.
“Missed shots. Missed opportunities,” he said.
ILH Division iI girls
Mid-Pacific 57,
Damien 35
Ciera Kameehonua knocked down three 3-pointers en route to a game-high 18 points as the Owls remained unbeaten with a win over the Monarchs.
At Mid-Pacific
Damien (3-2)711710—35
Mid-Pacific (4-0)14131911—57
DAMIEN—Ghenniel Vegas 0, Kelsey Perrieira 1, Taylor Labanon 4, Jonnalee Galdones 2, Karly Navas 3, Karissa Racoma 7, Kilinoe Gora 0, Melina Souza 12, Ilana Sagapolutele 1, Ethel Jayne Suniga 1, Catherine Votovich 2, Montana Carter 2, Chantelle Agag 2.
MID-PACIFIC— Margaret Leung 0, Harley Simon 5, Kayla Muraoka 2, Tylee Wong 11, Kerry Chun 2, Emma Porter 0, Payton Antonio 5, Ciera Kameehonua 18, Marjorie Cheng-Leever 0, Judy Phan 6, Brillie Kovaloff 8, Brenda Huynh 0, Samantha Uyehara 0.
3-point goals—Damien 2 (Navas, Racoma). Mid-Pacific 6 (Kameehonua 3, Antonio, Kovaloff, Wong).
ILH Division i-AA girls
‘Iolani 35, Punahou 30
Maryknoll 48, Kamehameha 46
oia east girls
Farrington 45,
McKinley 25
Moli Heimuli and Shanny Mailou each scored 10 points as the Governors ran past the Tigers.
At Farrington
McKinley (1-2)6964—25
Farrington (2-0)7121016—45
MCKINLEY—Kayla Rasavanh 4, Dezlyn Naval 2, Kloe Lum 7, Suzie Park 0, Joselle Ferrer 2, Teane Sofa 5, Cheenie Melgazo 0, Ve’e Ve’e Li 5.
FARRINGTON—Kylie Carganilla 3, Vivian Bolibol 0, Shayla Cabato-Machado 7, Shaniah Paleafei 7, Shanny Mailou 10, Chalei Smith 0, Golden Rowan 2, Lokelani Pacheco 0, Moli Heimuli 10, Naomi Peltier 6.
3-point goals—McKinley 3 (Lum, Rasavanh, Sofa). Farrington 3 (Cabato-Machado 2, Mailou).
Junior varsity—McKinley 34, Farrington 29
Kailua 61, Castle 40
Tara Takata scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Surfriders past the Knights.
At Kailua
Castle (0-3)119911—40
Kailua (3-0)19131613—61
CASTLE—Raykelle Dacosin 0, Sierra Koki 15, Kaylee Ishii 5, Hauoli Beard 3, Jessica Kaupiko 5, Tileree Johnson 4, Camryn Cadinha-Oku 0, Kaira Tilton 6, Juli Ann Bailey 0, Braylynn Pelencia 0, Roxanne Alapai 0, Keana Dacosin 2.
KAILUA—Tau Williams 12, Tiare Akiona-Simeona 4, Nyla Salas-Baker 6, Tara Takata 22, Kaile DeSoto 10, Christine Antonio 3, Kalei Ceylan 0, Kuuipo Gonzales-Reyes 2, Jasmyn Keohohina-Malina 2, Finau Tuifua 0.
3-point goals—Castle 4 (Koki 2, Ishii, Kaupiko). Kailua 1 (Takata).
Junior varsity— Castle 38, Kailua 22
Kalani 51, Kahuku 50
The Falcons knocked down 10 3-pointers en route to the one-point road victory.
Daesha Viela led Kalani with 13 points, while Kahuku’s Brittini Blake and Cheyenne Teo each scored 18 points in the loss for Kahuku.
At Kahuku
Kalani (1-2)1171716—51
Kahuku (1-2)13101413—50
KALANI—Kirstin Kouchi 12, Daesha Viela 13, Chara Higaki 0, Andrea Ching 0, Noelle Suzuki 8, Bailey Steward 8, Kaylie Espina 8, Logan Luke 0, Heidi Kishaba 0, Kandyce Woods 2. Kiana Coffin 0.
KAHUKU—Lehiwa Benson 2, Aja Tapusoa 1, Savanna Christensen 7, Ofa Kauvaka 0, Cheyenne Teo 18, Leving Jonadasa 4, Carey Williams 0, Brittini Blake 18.
3-point goals—Kalani 10 (Kouchi 4, Viela 3, Suzuki 2, Espina). Kahuku 1 (Jinadasa).
Junior varsity—Kahuku 34, Kalani 30
Kalaheo def. Kaiser, forfeit
Kaiser forfeited the game due to lack of eligible players.
Kaimuki 36,
Moanalua 24
Victoria Kintz scored 12 of the Bulldogs 36 points in a win over Na Menehune.
At Moanalua
Kaimuki (3-0)1141011—36
Moanalua (1-2)7638—24
KAIMUKI—Sirena Titer 0, Liza Anien 0, Sonia Palik 8, Kayla Borja 0, Keihara Henry 0, Kaelyn Espinda 6, Brandi Pfeiffer-Kekoa 2, Victoria Kintz 12, Kuuipo Sefo 2, Alissa Chon 0, Kato Leha 6, Cleopatra Lauvao 0, Mele Loo-Godinet 0.
MOANALUA—Lei-Helani Talaro 4, Julia Maiava 3, Kylie Casinas 0, Sienna Ho 3, Raven Rosa-Lasco 6, Kyra Oda 0, Delylah Sanerivi 6, Brittany Passi 0, Tasi Peters 2, Jillian Ota 0.
3-point goals—Kaimuki none. Moanalua 3 (Ho, Maiava, Rosa-Lasco).
OIA West girls
Campbell 69, Waialua 17
Gieani Balino had a game-high 20 points and Ricka Jackson added 18 as Campbell routed Waialua.
At Waialua
Campbell (3-1)26131614—69
Waialua (0-3)2276—17
CAMPBELL—Cydney Curran 8, Jeanette Corpuz 2 , Ricka Jackson 18, Danielle Silva-Freeman 6, Shantelle Sagucio 0, Gieani Balino 20, Chasstiny Balagso 2, Sierra Mariano 5, Jasianna Ah Nee 6, Kimberlee Ung 2.
WAIALUA—Kasidee Teixeira 0, Kaedy Hatchett 6, Sophia Manalo 0, Kaitlin Ayonon 4, Candace Basilio 3, Laola Pang 0, Chalseah Pascua 2, Gemelie Hatchie 2.
3-point goals—Campbell 2 (Balino, Jackson). Waialua 1 (Basilio)
Junior varsity—None
Radford 52, Nanakuli 39
Kyle Johnson and Jayde Johnson scored 14 and 10 points, respectively to lead the Rams past the Golden Hawks.
At Nanakuli
Radford (3-0)1317814—52
Nanakuli (2-1)17958—39
RADFORD—Natalie Jackson 4, Puni Seei 4, Salara Dill 5, Michelle Vasquez 0, Kyle Johnson 14, Jayde Johnson 10, Shaelie Burgess 6, Denise Bell 0, Jasmyn Peralta 9.
NANAKULI—Alana Nuuanu 13, Jahnna Kahele-Madali 3, Kalei Cates 0, Kanani Diamond 5, Kipona Ahsui 3, Trisdyn Kalaau 7, Kailee Nuuanu 0, Ray Meyers 8.
3-point goals—Radford 1 (Johnson). Nanakuli 4 (Diamond, Kahele-Madali, Kalaau, A. Nuuanu).
Junior varsity—Nanakuli 31, Radford 20
‘Iolani prep classic
Quarterfinals
La Lumiere (Ind.) 81,
The Master’s Academy (Fla.) 72 OT
Brian Bowen II scored a game-high 25 points as the Lakers outscored the Cougars 13-4 in overtime to advance to the Classic semifinals.
Lone Peak (Utah) 47, Mount Saint Joseph (Md.) 46
Frank Jackson scored a game-high 23 points to lift Knights into the Classic semifinals.
Sierra Canyon (Calif.) 67, Martinsburg (W. Va.) 27
Remy Martin and Ira Lee scored 16 points each for the Trail Blazers in a win over the Bulldogs.
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