Hawaii Baptist finished its regular season undefeated Thursday night, but not without some worry.
The Eagles grabbed an 18-point halftime lead and appeared to be gliding to an Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II girls basketball win. The second half, however, was not comfortable, but the league champs summoned enough energy to keep Mid-Pacific at bay for a 45-35 victory.
It was a tale of two halves for the Owls — flatter than flat in the first 16 minutes and highly motivated and resilient after the break. They were celebrating senior night, which turned out to be a blessing and a curse.
“I think it’s possible they were overhyped for the game,” Hawaii Baptist coach Keith Sugiura said about Mid-Pacific. “Sometimes that happens in big games like senior night. They got open looks in the first half, but things weren’t falling. They found their rhythm and their shots in the second half. It was nice to see that our girls kept grinding in the second half, when we were struggling on offense.”
In the second half, that senior night energy finally kicked in and the Owls (11-3, second place ILH D-II) fought back with passion to cut a 27-9 halftime deficit to 11 — 40-29 — with 5:30 left in the game. Junior guard Harley Simon was the catalyst, diving for loose balls and driving to the basket to draw fouls. She hit six straight free throws and fired in a 15-footer in the span.
Simon, who scored 12 of her game-high 15 points in the fourth quarter, also kept it at an 11-point game (44-33) with a 3-point bomb with 1:25 to go. Not close, but not so far away, considering what happened in the first half.
“The girls weren’t used to the energy in the gym (which included music by the Mid-Pacific band, decorative balloons and raffle announcements between quarters),” Owls coach Sherice Ajifu said. “We let the crowd get to us. We need to play at a high level starting at the tip-off. We didn’t score a point in the first quarter and that’s unacceptable. Our performance against a team the caliber of HBA was a measuring stick of where we’re at.”
Two guards for the Eagles (14-0) led the first-half barrage. Katelyn Nakagawa scored 10 of her 12 points and Stephanie Dang had nine of her 11 before the break. Ally Wada, a forward who was also a starting setter on Hawaii Baptist’s Division II state championship volleyball team in the fall, heated up in the second half with nine of her 13 points.
“We usually have a big lead in the first half and let up in the third quarter,” Wada said. “The coaches told us to play like it was 0-0 to start the second half.”
That plan didn’t appear to work against the Mid-Pacific locomotive that outscored the Eagles 26-18 in the final 16 minutes.
It’s possible the teams could meet again in the league playoffs or the state tournament.
“HBA is an amazing team,” said Simon, who added that the team’s five seniors had a lot to do with her motiviation. “We need to keep playing our game and not worry about wondering if we’ll play against them again. We just need to work on what we need to do.
“When I was a freshman coming over from the Big Island, our seniors (Kayla Muraoka, Kerry Ellen Chun, Marjorie Cheng-Leever, Judy Phan and Brenda Huynh) made me feel real comfortable and made the transition easy.”
PREP SUMMARIES
ILH DIVISION I GIRLS
No. 8 ‘Iolani 44, Sacred Hearts 38
The Raiders made eight 3-pointers in a rout of the Lancers. Kawai Kahalehoe scored nine points to lead ‘Iolani, while Jessica Hanashiro poured in a game-high 20 points for Sacred Hearts.
| At ‘Iolani |
| SHA (1-10) |
9 |
3 |
15 |
11 |
— |
38 |
| ‘Iolani (6-6) |
13 |
12 |
8 |
11 |
— |
44 |
SACRED HEARTS—Zoe-Ann Yamamoto 2, Pakalana Kam 6, Sade Mizusawa 0, Kyla Nascimento 2, Dallas Martinez 3, Rachel McDaniel 5, Jessica Hanashiro 20, Ka’iulani Harrington 0, Shaydee Afoa 0, Ui Apao 0.
‘IOLANI—Kristen Ahn 0, Emily Nomura 2, Brooke Maeda 6, Sierra Buscher 3, Kelsi Ikeda 0, Taylor Wu 5, Camy Aguinaldo 6, Aubrie Usui 7, Tori Lynn Maeda 0, Kawai Kahalehoe 9, Skylar Nakata 6.
3-point goals—Sacred Hearts 2 (Kam, McDaniel). ‘Iolani 8 (Aguinaldo 2, Nakata 2, B. Maeda, Wu, Usui, Kahalehoe).
Also
No. 4 Punahou 52, Kamehameha 49
ILH DIVISION II GIRLS
| At Mid-Pacific |
| HBA (14-0) |
13 |
14 |
9 |
9 |
— |
45 |
| MPI (11-3) |
0 |
9 |
9 |
17 |
— |
35 |
HAWAII BAPTIST—Stephanie Dang 11, Morgan Lorenzo 4, Ashley Benn 0, Kiara Chun 0, Ally Wada 13, Kyley Nakagawa 1, Katelyn Nakagawa 12, Keisha Ching 0, Caitlen Joy Ramos 4. Haley Benn 0.
MID-PACIFIC—Harley Simon 15, Kayla Muraoka 0, Tylee-Kanani Wong 2, Kerry Ellen Chun 2, Emma Porter 0, Payton Antonio 0, Ciera Kameehonua 6, Marjorie Cheng-Leever 0, Judy Phan 3, Brilie Kovaloff 7, Brenda Huynh 0, Samantha Uyehara 0.
3-point goals—Hawaii Baptist 4 (Ka. Nakagawa 2, Dang, Wada). Mid-Pacific 4 (Simon 2, Kameehonua, Kovaloff).
St. Francis 38, Hanalani 36
Kelli Okubo finished with 16 points to lead the Saints over the Royals. Keila Tsutsui scored a team-high 13 points for Hanalani.
| At St. Francis |
| Hanalani (5-8) |
8 |
12 |
10 |
6 |
— |
36 |
| St. Francis (9-5) |
2 |
14 |
14 |
8 |
— |
38 |
HANALANI—Isabelle Aki 7, Rebekah Yamada 4, Alexa Nava 4, Jonnisty Monalim 1, Alyssa Spurling 7, Keila Tsutsui 13.
ST. FRANCIS—Kelli Okubo 16, Ka’imi Kalei 12, Rya Ornog 2, Misiona Ribeiro 4, Skye Ah Yat 1, Olivia Vaeatangitau 3.
3-point goals—Hanalani 2 (Aki, Spurling). St. Francis none.
Damien 57, University 51
Melina Souza racked up 21 points and Karly Navas added 11 as the Monarchs edged the Jr. ‘Bows. Kyra Young and Karley Ann Yoshioka scored 14 points each to lead University.
| At Damien |
| University (6-8) |
13 |
15 |
4 |
19 |
— |
51 |
| Damien (8-6) |
9 |
17 |
7 |
24 |
— |
57 |
UNIVERSITY—Cassidy Gelacio 8, Tyra Goo Sun 11, Camryn Kaina 2, Kyra Young 14, Ti Posiulai 2, Karley Ann Yoshioka 14.
DAMIEN—Ghenniel Vegas 0, Kelsey Perrieira 4, Taylor Labanon 11, Jonnalee Galdones 2, Karly Navas 14, Melina Souza 21, Ilana Sagapolutele 0, Catherine Votovich 5, Montana Carter 0, Kilinoe Gora 0, Chantelle Agag 0.
3-point goals—University 7 (Goo Sun 3, Yoshioka 2, Gelacio 2). Damien 5 (Navas 4, Labanon).
La Pietra 42, Le Jardin 34
The Panthers rallied in the second half, outscoring the Bulldogs 33-15 to earn the win.
| At Le Jardin |
| La Pietra (1-12) 2 7 15 18 — 42 |
| Le Jardin (1-13) 9 10 8 7 — 34 |
Individual statistics not reported.
ILH DIVISION III GIRLS
Island Pacific 42, Hawaiian Mission 39
Peyton Pedrozo scored a game-high 18 points, and Erica Brenner added 15, as the Navigators defeated the Knights to claim the ILH Division III title.
Lydia Earles led Hawaiian Mission with 15 points.
| At Hawaiian Mission |
| IPA (9-2) |
16 |
11 |
7 |
8 |
— |
42 |
| HMA (8-3) |
11 |
7 |
9 |
12 |
— |
39 |
ISLAND PACIFIC—Kalena Spotkaeff 0, Alyanna De Vera 0, Peyton Pedrozo 18, Erica Brenner 15, Taylor Kodani 4, Kira Hunkele 5, Elizabeth Lyons-Best 0, Alissa Petrovich 0.
HAWAIIAN MISSION—Sarah-Jordan Banister 7, Lydia Earles 15, Grazielle Abaya 7, Charlene Larrison 0, Aianna Wong 0, Dannica Roberts 6, Serenity Tanu 4, Minnie Lam Yuen 0, Melanie Diaz 0, Jennifer Lam Yuen 0.
3-point goals—Island Pacific 1 (Brenner). Hawaiian Mission 2 (Abaya, Banister).
ILH Division I-AA Girls Playoffs
‘Iolani 51, Maryknoll 20
Kamehameha 69, Punahou 58, OT
ILH DIVISION II BOYS
Damien 91, Hawaii Baptist 57
Shaun Apiki had 18 points and Storm Maldonado added 17, as 12 different Monarchs scored in a win over the Eagles.
Micah Mitchell and Max Weimken each had 13 points for Hawaii Baptist.
| At Damien |
| HBA (2-7) |
7 |
13 |
19 |
18 |
— |
57 |
| Damien (5-3) |
23 |
26 |
30 |
12 |
— |
91 |
HAWAII BAPTIST—Brandon Hirokawa 0, Matt Sakai 2, Tanner Miyoi 3, Micah Mitchell 13, Max Weimken 13, Kellen Takatsuka 7, Ty Minatoya 11, Adam Kikuta 8.
DAMIEN—BJ Ballesteros 2, Jayvee Quines 6, Kolin Galdiano 15, Malik Adeniji 6, Storm Maldonado 17, Joseph Torres 3, Shaun Apiki 18, Crumel Mooring 6, Rekeeb Craig 6, Seth Daniels 4, Brandon Galang 5, Kross Daoang 3.
3-point goals—Hawaii Baptist 8 (Weimken 3, Takatsuka 2, Kikuta, Mitchell, Miyoi). Damien 4 (Galdiano 2, Maldonado, Torres).
Le Jardin 51, Christian Academy 40
The Patriots rallied with 21 points in the fourth quarter but fell short in their loss to the Bulldogs.
| At Le Jardin |
| CA (0-10) |
4 |
8 |
7 |
21 |
— |
40 |
| LJA (5-4) |
9 |
20 |
15 |
7 |
— |
51 |
Individual statistics not reported.
Also
St. Francis 74, Hanalani 36
OIA EST BOYS
No. 8 Kalaheo 65, Castle 38
Kekai Smith and Alex Layi scored 16 points each to lift the Mustangs over the Knights.
| At Kalaheo |
| Castle (2-9) |
4 |
12 |
10 |
12 |
— |
38 |
| Kalaheo (9-2) |
16 |
17 |
22 |
10 |
— |
65 |
CASTLE—Jeremy McGoldrick 9, Elton Naki 6, Kaipo Padwell 0, Keola Lewis 2, Pehonsis Sisra 3, Paul Tyquiengco 0, Jaypete Sisra 2, Jorden Ne 3, Russell Portela 0, Ashten Soderberg 6, Lukela Hoapili 5, Chris Blecha 2.
KALAHEO—Christian Graham 7, Kekai Smith 16, Kela Thomas 8, Abel Kanehe 6, Kekoa Thompson 5, Donovan Nelson 7, Alex Layi 16.
3-point goals—Castle 7 (McGoldrick 3, A. Soderberg 2, Naki, Ne). Kalaheo 5 (Thomas 2, Graham, Smith, Layi).
Junior varsity—Kalaheo 62, Castle 44
Kailua 53, Anuenue 17
Thirteen Surfriders scored, led by Jonah Kalai’s 10 points, as Kailua defeated Na Koa.
Kamanaopono Grace Kekawa scored a game-high 11 points for Anuenue.
| At Kailua |
| Anuenue (0-11) |
5 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
— |
17 |
| Kailua (6-5) |
16 |
7 |
18 |
12 |
— |
53 |
ANUENUE—Kamanaopono Grace Kekawa 11, Pekelo Hokama-Kealohi 0, Kuhio Kaaekuahiwi 3, Moi Edwards 3, Lino Kauaula 0, Hemakana Kauaipaula 0.
KAILUA—Ronske Inere Jr. 3, Everett Torres-Kahapea 5, Noah Ah Yat 5, Zach Marrotte 2, Paul Keoni Serikawa Jr. 6, Noah Auld 2, Hano Kohatsu 3, Christian Mejia 4, Jonah Kalai 10, Bernard Verano 2, Greg Campos 5, Makana Robeson 3, Aaron Mejia 3.
3-point goals—Anuenue 2 (Edwards, Kaaekuahiwi). Kailua 5 (Ah Yat, Inere, A. Mejia, Robeson, Torres).
Kalani 64, Roosevelt 50
Kobe Ikari had 17 points and Toby Mitchell added 13, as the Falcons defeated the Rough Riders.
Nayton Koki poured in a game-high 22 points to lead Roosevelt.
| At Kalani |
| Roosevelt (3-8) |
12 |
6 |
13 |
19 |
— |
50 |
| Kalani (4-7) |
22 |
10 |
13 |
19 |
— |
64 |
ROOSEVELT—Jared Elwin 9, Micah Visoria 4, Charvis Paia 0, Jason Talbo 6, Tali Hayme 0, Michael Hyun 0, Shastyn Kekahuna 4, Christopher Lee 0, Nayton Koki 22, Triton Ramos 5, Lio Ilalio 0.
KALANI—Jamie Harris 4, Kobe Ikari 17, Akea Tolentino 0, Max Pepe 0, Micah Kawano 3, Toby Mitchell 13, Evan Chiu 2, Kapaa Nishimura 7, John Lam 9, Trey Sumida 9, Jeffrey Wood 0.
3-point goals—Roosevelt 5 (Elwin 3, Ramos, Talbo). Kalani 4 (Ikari 2, Mitchell, Nishimura).
Junior Varsity—Kalani 50, Roosevelt 43
Farrington 67, Kahuku 61, OT
LJ Gonzales recorded 27 points, including five 3-pointers, to lead the Governors over the Red Raiders in overtime. Kahuku’s Hirkley Latu posted a game-high 35 points.
| At Kahuku |
| Farrington (4-7) |
12 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
10 |
— |
67 |
| Kahuku (6-5) |
15 |
12 |
15 |
15 |
4 |
— |
61 |
FARRINGTON—Felcris Ahadain 7, Paul Madamba 12, Ehzikiel Santiago 3, LJ Gonzales 27, Jerry Killion 0, Miah Fepuleai 4, Vai Aga 8, Pono Roberts 0, Chris Afe 6.
KAHUKU—Kenny Spencer 2, Codie Sauvao 3, Kieran Spencer 8, Ethan Christensen 0, Mark Viloria 0, Hirkley Latu 35, Kawika Akina 4, Aaron Souza 0, Bradlee Anae 7, Taimona Wright 2, Stennett Alapa 0.
3-point goals—Farrington 8 (Gonzales 5, Ahadain, Madamba, Santiago). Kahuku 1 (Latu).
Junior varsity—Farrington 66, Kahuku 54
Kaimuki 59, McKinley 56, OT
Christian Ono had 19 points, and Sifo Lauvao added 17 as the Bulldogs edged the Tigers in overtime.
| At Kaimuki |
| McKinley (8-3) |
7 |
9 |
17 |
22 |
1 |
— |
56 |
| Kaimuki (7-4) |
10 |
13 |
19 |
13 |
4 |
— |
59 |
MCKINLEY—Mark Burke 12, Isaac Lu 0, Jeremy Coloyan 12, Dan Villejo 17, Huthifa Abdel-Juwad 0, Kyle Moraga 2, Kevin Nagasawa 6, Sioeli Lopes 7.
KAIMUKI—Fred Taulung 8, Christian Ono 19, Shanson Kapanui 3, Billy Masima 2, Sifo Lauvao 17,Jaren Feary 7, Jordan Quinata 3.
3-point goals—McKinley 4 (Villejo 3, Coloyan). Kaimuki 6 (Lauvao 3, Taulung 2, Ono).
Junior varsity—McKinley 59, Kaimuki 40
Also
Varsity boys
No. 2 Kaiser 60, Moanalua 32
OIA WEST BOYS
No. 6 Leilehua 71, Aiea 43
Joseph Gouty had a game-high 17 points as the Mules remained undefeated with a win over Na Alii.
Ariq Vergado-Duclayan and Keyson Goins each had 10 for Aiea.
| At Leilehua |
| Aiea (6-4) |
4 |
7 |
11 |
21 |
— |
43 |
| Leilehua (10-0) |
11 |
24 |
16 |
20 |
— |
71 |
AIEA—Ariq Vergado-Duclayan 10, Steven Park 9, Kailen Shinmoto 4, Kame Kim-Choy-Keb-Ah Lo 4, Scott Paguirigan 2, Keyson Goins 10, Jayden Chaviera 4.
LEILEHUA—Trey Boatwright 4, Linus Asher 1, Joseph Gouty 17, Keion Anderson 2, Jostin Gampayon 3, Liam Fitzgerald 10, Nicholas Duran 14, Koalii Kauhi 8, Anterrio Gainwell Jr. 12.
3-point goals—Aiea 3 (Goins 2, Chaviera). Leilehua 7 (Duran 2, Fitzgerald 2, Gouty 2, Gampayon)
Junior Varsity—Not Reported
Pearl City 39, Waianae 30
Pierce McMoore recorded 11 points as the Chargers defeated the Seasiders. Manu Taukolo led Waianae with 11 points.
| At Pearl City |
| Waianae (5-5) |
7 |
9 |
2 |
12 |
— |
30 |
| Pearl City (8-2) |
6 |
10 |
13 |
10 |
— |
39 |
WAIANAE—Kade Ambrocio 7, Natano Namulauti 1, Jaren Ulu 0, Douglas Mitchell 7, Wela Waiwaiole 0, Manu Taukolo 11, Brendan Ayala 2, Dallas Ranada 0, Blaise Kahikina 2, Tarence Mann 0, Jared Elizares 0.
PEARL CITY—Sape Tupuola Jr. 4, Kavoisee Mason 0, Gilbert Tapat 7, Pierce McMoore 11, Pono Akiona 4, Ryan Yamamoto 4, Garin Spillner 9, Kamren Estoesta 0, Che Erquiza-Oliveras 0, Christian Punsalan 0.
3-point goals—Waianae 3 (Ambrocio, Mitchell, Taukolo). Pearl City 2 (McMoore, Spillner).
Junior varsity—Pearl City 39, Waianae 26
Radford 47, Mililani 40
Jeremy Ramos scored 11 points as the Rams defeated the Trojans. Isaac Liva led Mililani with 11 points.
| At Mililani |
| Radford (4-6) |
12 |
15 |
4 |
16 |
— |
47 |
| Mililani (4-6) |
12 |
10 |
6 |
12 |
— |
40 |
RADFORD—Sean Musrasrik 9, Jordan Gober 0, Santino Calloway 9, Jordan Annaguey 0, Max Philson 0, Brandon Campbell 9, Cameron Copeland 4, Ace Faumui 4, Tjader De Alba 0, David Faletoi 1, Jeremy Ramos 11.
MILILANI—Jaden Murashima 2, Maka Chun 0, Teylor Kaneshiro 7, Roman Tovi 0, Isaac Liva 11, Micah Gambol 5, Kaleo Pogue 8, Matthew Amistoso 5, Andru Tovi 2.
3-point goals—Radford 6 (Musrasrik 3, Ramos 2, Calloway). Mililani 2 (Kaneshiro, Amistoso).
Junior varsity—Radford 39, Mililani 36
Also
Waipahu 61, Waialua 56
