Maryknoll opens ILH same way it ended the past 2

Isabella Cravens had seven points, 17 rebounds and five blocked shots as Maryknoll outlasted ‘Iolani 50-42 on Saturday night in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu opener for both teams.

A home crowd of about 300 at Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium saw the Lady Spartans get balanced scoring to thwart the speedy Raiders. Point guard Rhianne Omori led with 13 points, while Chayse Milne and Moe Notoa chipped in 10 points each. Kodee Viena chipped in defensively with five boards and two blocks as Maryknoll challenged and altered nearly every ‘Iolani shot in the paint.

“Defensively, ‘Iolani is definitely a challenge,” said Cravens, a 6-foot-1 junior. “We’re the back-to-back league champions, but we have a lot of juniors, so this builds confidence for our team.”

Senior guard Camy Aguinaldo led ‘Iolani with 16 points, including nine during the fourth quarter. The visitors cut a 12-point lead to 48-43 on a deep 3 from the top by Aguinaldo with four minutes to play. The Raiders were still within 52-47 after Aguinaldo scored off a steal with two minutes left.

Cravens then went 3-for-4 shooting at the foul line to give the Spartans some breathing room. Aguinaldo’s free throws with 1:28 left cut it to 54-49, but Omori sank four free throws and Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole (seven points, three steals) added one more as Maryknoll pulled away.

“We tried to make it a track meet,” ‘Iolani coach Dean Young said. “We just didn’t have enough movement on offense and they killed us on the offensive boards.”

Maryknoll had a 33-19 edge on the glass, grabbing 12 caroms on the offensive side. The Raiders shot 5-for-13 from the arc.

Punahou 56, Kamehameha 45

The Buffanblu used a balanced attack to win their ILH opener over rival Kamehameha.

Kamaile Kandiah and Tanisha Elbourne each scored 13 points for Punahou, with Abigail Aplaca and Elle Uyeda each chipping in 11.

Mikiala Maio paced the Warriors with 19 points and Kiana Vierra hit two from long range on her way to 14 points.