The Findlay Prep Pilots did not disappoint, at least with expectations.
They did, however, break the hearts of Kahuku fans. Findlay Prep, ranked No. 1 in the nation, got 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals from P.J. Washington in an 87-43 win over upset-minded Kahuku in the semifinals of the ‘Iolani Prep Classic on Tuesday night.
Lamine Diane was a dunking machine off steals and fast-break dishes, finishing with 18 points. Justin Roberts hit three treys and tallied 14 points. Reggie Chaney was a defensive menace and hustled for nine points.
The biggest crowd — standing room only — at the Classic in recent memory saw the Pilots dominate from the start with defense. Kahuku’s normally secure ball handlers struggled against the wingspans and length of the Pilots, who forced seven first-half turnovers.
Still, Kahuku, which was led by Dan Fotu’s 13 points and five rebounds, was within 10-7 after Codie Sauvao’s layup on a feed from Jessiya Villa. The Cinderella dream was alive and well … briefly.
The Pilots closed the quarter with a 10-2 run, capping it with a thundering dunk on a drive from the wing by Washington.
By halftime, it was 42-17 as Findlay’s suffocating pressure defense and towering rebounders took control.
From there, it was dominance as expected by the Pilots. They will face perennial national contender and seven-time ‘Iolani Classic champion Oak Hill (Va.) in tonight’s championship game.
Pilots coach Paul Washington Sr. had refrained from talking about the future, or the title game, or even Oak Hill. After the semifinal win, he finally did.
“That’s a real good team with a Hall of Fame coach,” he said of Oak Hill’s Steve Smith. “I’m looking forward to it. We’re going to play our style and hopefully he does, too.”
Yet, Washington said he expects “a chess match.”
Kahuku wanted to play its best, as it had in wins over Mount Vernon (N.Y.) and De La Salle (Calif.).
Villa finished with 10 points, three rebounds and four assists, and Samuta Avea added six points.
The most explosive noise of the night came from the capacity crowd late in the game after Findlay reserve Dillon Glendenning, who hadn’t gotten any attention from fans in the first two rounds. This time, the crowd roared when he entered and enticed him to shoot at every touch. He eventually launched and swished an NBA-distance 3 that brought the house down. Moments later, he pump-faked and banked in another 3, with even louder approval.
Oak Hill (Va.) 72, Southwind (Tenn.) 59
Devonte Shuler poured in 20 points to lead a balanced Warriors attack. Billy Preston, a 6-9 senior, added 17 points, while Matt Coleman and Lindell Wigginton chipped in 14 apiece.
The Jaguars stayed within a five-point margin for most of the first half with hot shooting from deep by Markylan Freeman, who finished with 22 points. Carlos Marshall added 11 points and Kameron Jones had 10.
ILH DIVISION II GIRLS
St. Francis 56, Christian Academy 13
At Hawaiian Mission
St. Francis (5-0) 9 11 20 16 — 56
CA (0-5) 2 6 0 5 — 13
ST. FRANCIS—Haley Yoshioka 1, Misiona Ribeiro 4, Kahili Liu-Hanohano 6, Rya Ornong 4, Kaimi Kalei 14, Skye Ah Yat 6, Mata Sagapolutele 8, Olivia Vaeatangitau 13.
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY—Zscharmaine Cadiena 3, Alyssa Tokunaga-Magno 2, Edalaine Cadiena 4, Tristiny Fagaragan 3, Khrystyna Kanahele 1.
3-point goals—St. Francis (Ah Yat). Christian Academy (Fagaragan).
University 32, Hanalani 16
At Mid-Pacific
Hanalani (3-2) 6 2 4 4 — 16
University (5-1) 9 3 11 9 — 32
HANALANI—Faith Lee 3, Kira Matsuda 0, Sierra Kurihara 0, Kelsy Chong 0, Anastasiya Li 0, Geetika Patwardhan 0, Keila Tsutsui 12, Alexis Nihipali 0, Lexis Tam Ho 0, Kiara Peterson 1.
UNIVERSITY—Cassidy Gelacio 7, Alex Jaeger 0, Lily Awai 4, Abby Bierwert 0, Neah Tassill 1, Tyra Goo Sun 9, AJ Realubit 0, Addie Ortiz 1, British Dawson 4, Mary Ann Mailei 6.
3-point goals—Hanalani none. University 1 (Goo Sun).
Mid-Pacific 43, Le Jardin 18
At Mid-Pacific
Le Jardin (2-3) 4 2 6 6 — 18
Mid-Pacific (5-0) 14 11 15 3 — 43
LE JARDIN—Mia Barrett 2, Mahea Baginski 2, Teneal Togami 0, Maddie Venezia 2, Kylie Machida 1, Julia Brutsch 0, Katie Awana 2, Alyssa Dominguez 3, Morgan Pelky 0, Nikki Morgan 2, Julia Fisher 4.
MID-PACIFIC—Brilie Kovaloff 6, Ciera Kameehonua 7, Harley Simon 12, Emma Porter 4, Tylee-Kanani Wong 4, Zannah Suehiro 0, Paige Fahrni 4, Payton Antonio 0, Caylina Lindbo 6, Trelani McGill 0.
3-point goals—Le Jardin none. Mid-Pacific none.
Island Pacific 61, Hawaiian Mission 24
At Hawaiian Mission
IPA (3-2) 10 16 17 18 — 61
HMA (0-6) 3 4 8 9 — 24
ISLAND PACIFIC—Kalena Spotkaeff 6, Peyton Pedrozo 29, Taylor Kodani 22, Elizabeth Lyons-Best 2, Mia Chapman 2.
HAWAIIAN MISSION—Jennifer Lam Yuen 0, Kitana Heneralau 2, Dannica Roberts 15, Josie Faria 2, Kristy Lane 2, Cheryl Anne De Guzman 3.
3-point goals—Island Pacific 1 (Pedrozo). Hawaiian Mission 1 (De Guzman).
ILH DIVISION I-AA GIRLS
Kamehameha 52, Punahou 46
OIA EAST GIRLS
No. 9 Kaimuki 46, Kailua 32
At Kailua
Kaimuki (4-0) 11 15 8 12 — 46
Kailua (0-4) 0 1 10 21 — 32
KAIMUKI—Serena Titer 5, Ana Vea 5, Liza Anien 3, Sonia Palik 12, Keihara Henry 0, Kaelyn Espinda 2, Peka Scott 4, Victoria Kintz 9, Alissa Chon 4, Cleo Lauvao 0, Mele Loo 2.
KAILUA—Tiare Akiona-Simeona 7, Gwendolyn Villanueva 0, Alohi Alameda-Koanui 0, Akamulei Makua 0, Kaile DeSoto 18, Christine Antonio 2, Desiree Chang 3, Finausuileti Tuifua 2.
3-point goals—Kaimuki 5 (Anien, Kintz, Palik, Titer, Vea). Kailua 6 (DeSoto 4, Akiona-Simeona, Chang).
Junior varsity—Kailua 44, Kaimuki 27
Farrington 59, Castle 18
At Farrington
Castle (0-4) 7 3 4 4 — 18
Farrington (3-1) 16 16 10 17 — 59
CASTLE—Hauoli Beard 2, Reilani Roller 2, Kaylee Ishii 4, Sheri Alvarado 1, Jessica Kaupiko 2, Savanna Johnson 0, Camryn Cadinha-Oku 0, Love Johns-Keama 2, Shayla Young 5.
FARRINGTON—Kylie Carganilla 4, Kelia Miller 2, Lexuss Tulba 0, Kaezha Aradanas 5, Shayla Cabato-Machado 8, Shaniah Paleafei 5, Chantal Mailou 15, Willima Karen 5, Violet Williams 2, Naomi Peltier 13.
3-point goals—Castle none. Farrington 5 (Mailou 4, Paleafei).
Junior varsity—Castle 28, Farrington 21
Kalani 58, Moanalua 53
At Kalani
Moanalua (0-4) 13 21 13 6 — 53
Kalani (3-0) 17 14 17 10 — 58
MOANALUA—Jillian Ota 1, Kylie Casinas 8, Kyrah Hughley 3, Kelcie Leong 2, Raven Rosa-Lasco 11, Amber Balite 0, Delylah Sanerivi 12, Brittany Passi 12, Tinei Sanerivi 4.
KALANI—Kirstin Kouchi 22, Daesha Viela 11, Lilehina Oyama 10, Noelle Suzuki 0, Kaylie Espinas 0, Logan Luke 4, Heidi Kishaba 2, Sydnee Kishaba 5, Kandyce Woods 4.
3-point goals—Moanalua 2 (Casinas, Rosa-Lasco). Kalani 6 (Kouchi 5, Oyama).
Junior varsity—Moanalua 39, Kalani 21
Kaiser 53, McKinley 51, OT
At Kaiser
McKinley (1-2) 9 7 16 14 5 — 51
Kaiser (3-1) 12 16 9 9 7 — 53
MCKINLEY—Colby Lane 5, Kloe Lum 11, Suzie Park 14, Cerina Noh 0, Joselle Ferrer 10, Brittney Chang 3, Alexandria Buchanan 3, Connie Cen 0, Nicole Venzon 5.
KAISER—Tahani Kahawai-Robertson 1, Skylar Kimura 3, Lyla Kaneaiakala 13, Trinidee Kahunahana 20, Kylee Mahiko 4, Kayla Russell 12, Taeya Blakeney 0.
3-point goals—McKinley 8 (Lum 2, Park 3, Ferrer 2, Lane). Kaiser 2 (Kahunahana 2).
ALSO
Kahuku 48, Roosevelt 25
OIA WEST GIRLS
No. 8 Mililani 64, Aiea 15
At Mililani
Aiea (0-3) 0 0 6 9 — 15
Mililani (4-0) 19 12 12 21 — 64
AIEA—Chantelle Shimabukuro 4, Jaslyn Madriaga-Aguigui 0, Kailly Paulo 2, Tia Ueoka 0, Vien Crisostomo 3, Kelsie Shibata 2, A. Moli 2, Ufi Ale 2.
MILILANI—Brooke Napier 0, Teona Singletary 2, Kayla Torres 4, Taysia Canon 7, Ava Lowell 5, Dahlis Sablay 6, Hope Carter 7, Janae Richie 8, Kalena Gibson 14, Cheyenne Ardona 9, Destiny Perreira 2.
3-point goals—Aiea 1 (Crisostomo). Mili. none.
Junior varsity—Mililani def. Aiea
Waipahu 55, Waialua 17
At Waialua
Waipahu (3-1) 14 16 7 18 — 55
Waialua (0-4) 12 3 0 2 — 17
WAIPAHU—Kayla Dias-Pajente 3, Fruzee Balcobero 9, Elizabeth Kanaulu 8, CJ Tamayo 2, Teves Suan 6, Anna Penitusi 5, J’anne Stewart 11, Nikita Kemi 11.
WAIALUA—Kaitlin Ayanon 7, Kayla Guess 0, Chalseah Pascua 0, Cherysh Wong 2, Ganni Sadoy 0, Tausala Moeaveave 3, Candace Basilio 0, Laola Pang 5, Sophia Manalo 0, Asia Roberts 0, Janal Medrano 0, Olivia Albrecht 0.
3-point goals—Waipahu 1 (Balcobero). Waialua 1 (Moeaveave).
Leilehua 47, Waianae 19
At Leilehua
Waianae (0-4) 2 9 2 6 — 19
Leilehua (2-1) 12 10 7 18 — 47
WAIANAE—Kailee Kaahaaina 0, Charlotte Garcia 0, Yasmine Gamurot-Ching-Lareau 2, Dairian Balai 3, Daysha Kaleikini 0, Ferrari Scanlan 0, Shaunya Kahananui 0, Sierra Gaison 0, Imani Cook 0, Alexzandra Lancaster-Banglos 1, Alizelia Love 13.
LEILEHUA—Karina Phifer 2, Destini Green 0, Joslyn Mendoza 0, Kaylen Kamelamela 17, Kayla Posiulai 1, Gabriella Johnson 0, Jemma Godbout 0, Chyel Palmer 9, Abigail Flores 6, Shaylee Todani 7, Kimberley Owens 2, Asia Castillo 3.
3-point goals—Waianae none. Leilehua 3 (Todani 2, Kamelamela).
Junior varsity—Waianae def. Leilehua
Also
BIIF
Girls Varsity
Pahoa 63, Lapahoehoe 18
‘Iolani Classic
Boys Varsity
At ‘Iolani
Punahou 69, Waiakea 51
Waianae 46, Kaiser 42
Corona Del Sol (Ariz.) 76, Kapolei 46
Mount Vernon (N.Y.) 74, Mid-Pacific 36
Kailua 57, Dr. Phillips (Fla.) 48
‘Iolani 52, De La Salle (Calif.) 40
Semifinal
Oak Hill (Va.) 72, Southwind (Tenn.) 59
Findlay Prep 87, Kahuku 43
Tony Sellitto Hawaiian Island Basketball Challenge
Boys Varsity
At Maryknoll
Maryknoll 47, Leilehua 30
Crater (Ore.) 50, Kamehameha 48
Overlake (Wash.) 56, Pearl City 35
Walter Wong Holiday Tournament
Boys Varsity
At Saint Louis
Le Jardin 61, ‘Iolani I-AA 51
Hawaii Baptist 66, Maryknoll 43
Saint Louis I-AA 41, Assets 30
McKinley 44, Damien 42
Saint Louis 70, Castle 60
St. Francis Holiday Hoops Classic
Tuesday
Consolation
Punahou I-AA 75, Tafuna 52
Nanakuli 43, Roosevelt 33
Semifinals
University 51, Hilo 28
St. Francis 76, Kamehameha I-AA 21
Today
Tafuna vs Roosevelt, 3:30 p.m.
Punahou I-AA vs Nanakuli, 5 p.m.
Hilo vs Kamehameha I-AA, 6:30 p.m.
St Francis vs University, 8 p.m.
