For one half, it was the Cameron Brink Show.
Then the Southridge Skyhawks showed something new: how to get great defense and passing from their “small” unit. Natalie Hoff scored eight of her 15 points in the third quarter — after Brink got into foul trouble — as Southridge (Beaverton, Ore.) pulled away for a 63-39 win over Maryknoll on Friday night in the semifinals of the ‘Iolani Classic.
Brink finished with 14 points, 13 rebounds, four steals, two blocks and an assist for the Skyhawks. Expectations are high for Southridge, which has only two seniors and one junior. The Skyhawks won the Oregon 6A state championship last season, beating Oregon City in the final to finish 27-2. Senior Natalie Hoff scored nine of her 16 points in a crucial third quarter, and the other senior, Maggie Freeman, tallied 11.
“We’re pretty stoked about reaching the championship game,” Freeman said. “We’re doing pretty good. We’ve got team chemistry and we share the ball more than most teams.”
Brink, a 6-foot-4 sophomore with plenty of wingspan and excellent court vision, was clearly the dominant player on the floor. By halftime, she had 10 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and two blocks with one assist. She was the hub of a wheel that never stopped spinning as teammates like Freeman took handoffs and passes from Brink for open looks.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do,” Brink said. “We’ve got a lot of weapons, but I’ve got to keep myself in the game.”
Freeman was everywhere, adding four boards, three steals and a couple of assists. Sophomore guard McKelle Meek was busy with eight points, seven caroms and six assists.
Maryknoll got 10 points from Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole.
“Kamalu was aggressive. So was Kodee (Viena) and Rhianne (Omori),” Spartans coach Chico Furtado said. “But we were shell-shocked early in the game. The things they can get away with against smaller teams, they turned into turnovers. By the time we adjusted, we were down 16.”
The Skyhawks used a 2-2-1 press and a stingy 2-3 halfcourt zone; they forced Maryknoll to use much of the shot clock before they could get into any kind of rhythm.
Southridge led 18-5 after one quarter. By then, Brink already had six points, seven boards and two steals, plus one block. After trailing by 19, the Spartans got within 26-12 after a steal and layup by Kehau Gilliland.
A Chayse Milne jumper before the half chipped into the lead, and Maryknoll was down 27-14 at the break.
Brink got into foul trouble early in the third, and so did Maryknoll center Isabella Cravens. The senior finally began to attack Brink, drew a foul and hit two free throws. However, Cravens fouled out with 4:43 left in the third. Brink sat for most of the quarter, but Maryknoll couldn’t take advantage. Natalie Hoff, younger sister Maya Hoff and Meek combined for 16 points as the Skyhawks opened the lead to 45-28 by the end of the third.
“We had to compensate by playing harder,” Freeman said of Brink’s absence.
PREP SCOREBOARD
IOLANI CLASSIC
Friday
Varsity girls
>> Miramonte (Orinda, Calif.) 64, Kalani 34
>> Naha Senior (Okinawa, Japan) 60, ‘Iolani 52
>> Southridge (Beaverton, Ore.) 63, Maryknoll 39
>> Centennial (Las Vegas) 72, Oregon City 60
OIA WEST
Thursday
Varsity girls
>> Campbell 55, Kapolei 54, OT
Leading scorers—Camp: Gieani Balino 24, Danielle Silva 18. Kapo: Alexis Correa 23, Sydney Faumuina 14, Ashlyn Velasco 11.
Junior varsity girls
>> Campbell 43, Kapolei 31
ILH DIVISION I
Friday
Junior varsity boys
>> Kamehameha Blue 43, Punahou Gold 34
NON-CONFERENCE
Friday
Varsity boys
>> St. Francis 67, Kalaheo 50
>> Kalaheo 77, Saint Louis 35
>> Damien 72, Aiea 51
Junior varsity boys
>> Damien 69, Aiea 64
