Mikiala Maio’s memories of Kamehameha’s most recent voyage into the state tournament are distant and warm.
On Wednesday night, the senior made sure her Warriors would have some new memories. Maio poured in 24 points, including four in overtime, as No. 3 Kamehameha edged No. 5 ‘Iolani 64-61 in the ILH girls basketball tournament semifinals.
Coupled with Maryknoll’s win over Punahou, Kamehameha (9-4) secured a state-tournament berth. The Warriors will play Maryknoll for the tourney title today. A Kamehameha win would force a rematch between the teams for the ILH championship on Saturday.
‘Iolani, an early front runner in the ILH chase, finished 7-6 in league play.
Maio, a strong combo guard, was an eighth grader when the program last played in the state tourney.
“In 2013, I was the manager of the team. Going to states is a dream of mine, a dream come true,” she said.
It also took a 17-point performance by sophomore center Kalina Obrey and 13 from swingman Kiana Vierra for the Warriors to overcome the visiting Raiders.
Reserve guard Taylor Wu finished with a team-high 18 points for ‘Iolani. Emily Nomura finished with 12 and Camy Aguinaldo had 11.
“Give credit to Kamehameha, especially one of their seniors, Mikiala. She made plays and she didn’t want to lose,” ‘Iolani coach Dean Young said.
‘Iolani was a magnificent seven all night, playing without three key players: Skylar Nakata (illness), Kawai Kahalehoe (knee injury) and Kayla Malta (interview to become a commercial pilot).
“Adversity brings the opportunity to step up into bigger roles and do something special. Our girls played their hearts out. I’m so proud of them,” Young said.
The Warriors struggled against ‘Iolani’s press in the second half, but Maio sliced through for key layups to keep her team afloat. In the extra period, Maio drove for a bucket, matched by ‘Iolani’s Aguinaldo’s two free throws to tie the game at 57.
Obrey hustled for a putback, giving the Warriors the lead for good at 59-57 with 3:30 left. Maio scored a layup on a pass from Jewel Paaluhi-Caulk for a four-point lead.
Emily Nomura drove for a tough layup to cut the lead to 61-59, but Paaluhi-Caulk’s reverse layup with 51 seconds left made it a four-point lead again.
The Raiders answered with a reverse layup by Wu to make it 63-61. Kelsi Ikeda missed an open corner 3 that would’ve given the Raiders the lead. Kiana Vierra hit one free throw with 13 seconds remaining in OT for a 64-61 lead.
Wu missed a wing 3 from 23 feet out at the buzzer, and the Warriors were ready to go dancing.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished. Hopefully, we’ll win the ILH and the state tournament,” Warriors coach Joseph Cho said. “Give ‘Iolani all the credit in the world. They were pushing the tempo. I still don’t know how we won this game, or even the Maryknoll game.”
The Warriors won with composure, responding to mental errors by buckling down and relying on basic execution.
“We’re much more focused now. We’ve been playing with heart, as a team, and when we’re all cooking, we’re hard to beat,” Maio said.
Kamehameha turned a 6-5 lead into an 11-point advantage early in the second quarter with Vierra hitting shots from everywhere. ‘Iolani chipped into the margin, but Vierra’s wing 3 helped Kamehameha close the first half with a 7-2 run and a 32-22 halftime lead.
The Warriors took their biggest lead, 34-22, after Vierra drove for a lefty layup to start the third quarter. Young then unleashed a full-court press and the Raiders went on a sensational 15-2 run. Wu scored on a 3 and a tough drive to help ‘Iolani take a 37-36 lead. From there, the lead changed hands four more times as the visiting Raiders began to run out of steam. They still led 55-53 after Aguinaldo’s free throw with 31 seconds left in regulation.
After Paaluhi-Caulk was whistled for a travel after getting bumped by an ‘Iolani defender in the lane with 21 ticks left, ‘Iolani had the ball. However, an ‘Iolani player was bumped out of bounds after catching an inbounds pass, no call, and Kamehameha got the ball back. With 15 seconds left, Obrey stepped through on the low post for a layup to tie the game at 55.
‘Iolani designed a backdoor play for Aguinaldo, but Obrey contested the shot and Aguinaldo missed as regulation time expired.
No. 1 Maryknoll 70, Punahou 38
Chayse Milne scored 15 points and Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole added 14 as the Spartans routed the Buffanblu in the semifinal round of the ILH girls basketball tournament.
Moe Notoa and Isabella Cravens each added 10 points for Maryknoll (12-1), which will host Kamehameha today.
Kamaile Kandiah scored a game-high 20 points in the loss for Punahou (5-9), which failed to make states for the first time since 2013.
ILH DIVISION I GIRLS PLAYOFFS
No. 3 Kamehameha 64, No. 5 ‘Iolani 61, OT
At Kamehameha
‘Iolani (7-6) 8 14 22 11 6 — 61
KSK (9-4) 15 17 12 11 9 — 64
‘IOLANI—Tori Lynn Maeda 8, Shelby Arakawa 3, Kellie Okamura 6, Emily Nomura 12, Kelsi Ikeda 3, Taylor Wu 18, Camy Aguinaldo 11.
KAMEHAMEHA—Bailey Chan 0, Jewel Paaluhi-Caulk 8, Keeanna Andres 0, Noelle Sua-Godinet 2, Kiana Vierra 13, Mikiala Maio 24, Kalina Obrey 17.
3-point goals—‘Iolani 6 (Maeda 2, Nomura, Ikeda, Wu, Aguinaldo), Kamehameha 2 (Vierra 2).
No. 1 Maryknoll 70, Punahou 38
At Maryknoll
Punahou (5-9) 8 11 6 13 — 38
Maryknoll (12-1) 18 22 9 21 — 70
PUNAHOU—Kamaile Kandiah 20, Tanisha Elbourne 0, Kiarra Young 0, Lexie Taylor 5, Kamakani DeBlake 0, Abigail Aplaca 4, Tara Kaneshiro 0, Kristen Tamagawa 2, Jenna Reformina 0, Elle Uyeda 5, Kylie Yamauchi 0, Sinalauli‘i Uluave 2, Gabriella Pua‘a 0.
MARYKNOLL—Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole 14, Rhyenne Filisi 3, Rhianne Omori 1, Georjette Stietzel 0, Dakota Viena 5, Isabella Cravens 10, Chayse Milne 15, Kenna Tanouye 0, Moe Notoa 10, Taryn Holeso-Aki 0, Kehau Gilliland 4, Ysabelle Halemano 4, Sierra Murobayashi 0, Sisilia Kaufusi 4.
3-point goals—Punahou 4 (Kandiah 2, Taylor, Uyeda). Maryknoll 5 (Kamakawiwo‘ole 4, Milne).
ILH DIVISION I BOYS
No. 2 Punahou 66, Saint Louis 55
At Saint Louis
Punahou (7-1) 11 29 15 11 — 66
Saint Louis (1-6) 10 16 19 10 — 55
PUNAHOU—Cole Mausolf 4, Zayne Chong 16, Hunter Hosoda 5, Judd Cockett 0, Maninoa Tufono 3, Chris Kobayashi 19, Cortez Feria 0, Kaulana Makaula 9, Andrew Martinson 2, David Whittaker 0, Les Falatea 0, Duke Clemens 8.
SAINT LOUIS—Jaymason Nunuha 12, Keawe Silva 2, Trey Taba 0, Junior Wily 0, Noah Browne 6, Lachlen Hanneman 0, Jalen Smith 19, Chris Sykes 2, Noa Purcell 4, Gino Quinones 6, Josh White 4.
3-point goals—Punahou 8 (Chong 4, Kobayashi 2, Hosoda, Makaula). Saint Louis 4 (Nunuha 2, Smith 2).
No. 3 Maryknoll 42, No. 9 Kamehameha 41
At Kamehameha
Maryknoll (6-1) 10 18 0 14 — 42
KSK (2-6) 9 14 10 8 — 41
MARYKNOLL—Isiah Gelacio 11, Daven Pila 0, Jordyn Perez 5, Chase Houghtailing 0, Tyler Brooke 0, Makoto Kamata 2, Kekahi Tam 0, Kainoa Ferreira 0, Jaylen Cain 15, Kaulana Schmidt 4, Kalai Akaka 0, Payton Grant 1, Marcus Tobin 2, Niko Robbin 0, Liko Soares 0, Riden Leong 2.
KAMEHAMEHA—Francis Gora 0, Kamren Victorino-Kato 12, Braden DeFries 0, Blaze Guerrero 0, Kama Kamaka 0, Christmas Togiai 8, Lele Kawaiea 2, Mycah Pimental 3, Kobe Young 14, Laamea Frank 2, Boogie Yam 0, Hoku Arias 0, Nakoa Pauole 0, Pinao Awai 0.
3-point goals—Maryknoll 5 (Cain 2, Gelacio 2, Perez). Kamehameha 3 (Pimental, Togiai, Victorino-Kato).
No. 4 ‘Iolani 39, Mid-Pacific 31
At ‘Iolani
Mid-Pacific (1-6) 13 10 4 4 — 31
‘Iolani (5-2) 14 9 4 12 — 39
MID-PACIFIC—Travis Murayama 0, Cade (Nalu) Coito 6, Kamana Lapina 7, Hugh Donlon 0, Kyle Lagana 0, Zion Shepherd 8, Robert (Bobby) Thompson 7, Jacen Kimura 3, Cameron Hersh 0.
‘IOLANI—Helam Baldomero 3, Kawika Lee 5, Frank Felix 2, Ryan Van Cantfort 3, Bailey Alabanza 6, Noah Bumanglag 2, Justin Genovia 0, Cole Hogland 4, Cameron Chang 0, Hugh Hogland 14.
3-point goals—Mid-Pacific 5 (Coito 2, Kimura, Lapina, Thompson). ‘Iolani 5 (Alabanza 2, Baldomero, Lee, Van Cantfort).
ILH DIVISION I-AA BOYS
Punahou 63, Saint Louis 49
OIA EAST BOYS
No. 10 Kalaheo 74, Anuenue 30
At Kalaheo
Anuenue (0-11) 1 10 3 16 — 30
Kalaheo (7-3) 23 23 9 19 — 74
ANUENUE— Moi Edwards 2, Kailau Keola 0, Pekelo Kealohi 3, Lino Kauaula 0, Mana Leonard 0, Kanehoalani Kalua 18, Kaimi Wahilani 0, Kaniela Wahilani 0, Kealii English 5, Kawena Awong 0, Kaee Tamarra 0, Kalanimoki Smith 0, Kolomona Purdy 0, Kamau Remmers 2, Hoapili Rapozo 0.
KALAHEO—Cameron Kalaukoa 3, Cyrus Fernandez 8, Noah Woodby 13, Captain Whitlock 17, Kai Samiere 2, Lawrence DeCosta 0, David Teves 5, Nate Gribbins 1, Justus Neufeldt 3, Andreas Jankovic 10, Mark Lehner 2, Ryan Johnson 8, TEAM 2.
3-point goals—Anuenue 5 (Kalua 3, Edwards, English). Kalaheo 9 (Fernandez 2, Johnson 2, Woodby 2, Jankovic, Kalaukoa, Whitlock).
Kailua 50, McKinley 43
At McKinley
Kailua (7-3) 11 10 10 19 — 50
McKinley (8-2) 5 11 14 13 — 43
KAILUA—Everett Torres-Kahapea 16, Jonah Kalai 0, Aaron Mejia 0, Christian Mejia 16, Hapaki Kupahu-Phillips 4, Keoni Serikawa Jr. , Kyle Blackman 0, Makana Robeson 2, Reyn Matsukawa 0, Ronske Inere , Zachary Marrotte 12, John Sniffen , Paul Serikawa 0.
MCKINLEY—Josh Balinbin , Huttachia Buttayotee 0, Tevin Cayetano 0, Hsien Pascua 0, Mark Burke 1, Treyson Furuta , Caleb Corpening 12, Jeremy Coloyan 16, Lane Laroya 2, Kevin Kim 12, RJ Cabico , Yashu Lanki , Taylor Mahelona , Kyle Moraga 0, Rayden Jones .
3-point goals—Kailua 2 (Torres-Kahapea 2). McKinley 6 (Corpening 3, Kim 2, Coloyan).
Junior varsity—McKinley 50, Kailua 34
Kaiser 62, Castle 52
At Castle
Kaiser (6-4) 14 15 20 13 — 62
Castle (2-8) 9 6 14 23 — 52
KAISER—Brayden Nueku 16, Shaun Kim 2, Jaymin Khan-Smith 11, Cameron Ma 7, Jacob Summers 0, Bradley Wood 0, Brandon Yasue 4, Cyrus Singelman 7, Luke Harman 2, Tate Esperanza 2, Hunter Dias 11, Colin Chun 0.
CASTLE—Elton Naki 9, Ashten Kanoa 4,Jordan Ne 13, Ashten Soderberg 18, Sheldon Hu 0, Lukela Hoapili 4, Brendan McCray 2, Keanu Tilton 2.
3-point goals—Kaiser 8 (Dias 3, Nueku 2, Khan-Smith 2, Ma). Castle 8 (Soderberg 3, Ne 3, Naki, Kanoa).
Junior varsity—Kaiser 66, Castle 14
No. 1 Kahuku 86, Kaimuki 32
At Kaimuki
Kahuku (10-0) 29 24 19 14 — 86
Kaimuki (3-7) 15 8 3 6 — 32
KAHUKU—Kekaula Kaniho 5, Jessiya Villa 23, Kesi Ah-Hoy 4, Ethan Christensen 0, KJ Macatlag 0, Marcus Damuni 2, Daniel Fotu 11, Ethan Erickson 2, Codie Sauvao 4, Robbie Sauvao 0, Samuta Avea 9, Stennett Alapa 0, Mark Viloria 6, Taimona Wright 14, Kaluna Nihipali 3, Ra Elkington 3.
KAIMUKI—Andre Houze 2, Andries Toussaint 6, Jacob Taualupe 2, Fred Taulung 12, Isaiah Stojak 2, Jonah Faasoa 0, Reymundo Jr. Gomez 4, Shanson Kapanui 3, Tayler Espinda 1.
3-point goals—Kahuku 4 (Viloria 2, Avea, Kaniho). Kaimuki 4 (Taulung 3, Kapanui).
Junior varsity—Kaimuki 45, Kahuku 35
Moanalua 53, Kalani 46
At Kalani
Moanalua (5-5) 10 13 14 16 — 53
Kalani (5-5) 13 2 14 17 — 46
MOANALUA—Isaiah Sugiura 7, Austin Dyer 6, Blayze Simon 4, Isaiah Jackson 4, RJ Dominguez 15, Caleb Casinas 9, Ethan Feguis-Tavares 0, Sebastian Ibarra 0, Jonathan Turk 8.
KALANI—Jaemi Harris 6, Max Pepe 10, Jared Ki 0, Ryan Jacobi 9, Logan Matsuoka 0, Micah Kawano 4, Kapaa Nishimura 8, Matt Souza 0, Trey Sumida 2, Trey Joslin 0, Akira Karasawa 0, Christian Salas 7, Toby Mitchell 0, Evan Chiu 0.
3-point goals—Moanalua (Sugiura, Casinas). Kalani (Jacobi 2, Nishimura 2, Pepe).
Junior varsity—Kalani 41, Moanalua 39
OIA WEST BOYS
No. 7 Leilehua 55, Waipahu 39
At Waipahu
Leilehua (9-0) 10 13 20 12 — 55
Waipahu (1-8) 6 6 10 17 — 39
LEILEHUA—Genesis Ofoia 0, Tashaun Wright 5, Alijah Ginn 0, Kaleo Piceno 3, Trey Boatwright 19, Noah Park 0, Liam Fitzgerald 6, Jostin Gampayon 2, Elijah Robinson 2, Antonio Hobbs 0, Jaymond Agdinaoy 12, Kalei Kauhi 6, Xavier Muyot 0.
WAIPAHU—Daymon Jzay Oasay 5, Felicer Barut 3, Sheldon Alcaraz 12, Daren Rokop 0, Mark Lim 0, Cole Phillips 13, Khrysster Ipalari 2, Daniel-Alen Ramos 2, Jeminae Solomua 2, Jerold Rivera 0, Gabriel Puni 0.
3-point goals—Leilehua 3 (Agdinaoy 3). Waipahu 7 (Phillips 4, Alcaraz 3, Barut).
Junior varsity—Leilehua 59, Waipahu 52
No. 8 Kapolei 60, Radford 53
At Kapolei
Radford (4-6) 16 11 15 11 — 53
Kapolei (9-0) 18 11 19 12 — 60
RADFORD—Jamar Hill 5, Patrick Ignacio 0, Santino Calloway 5, Braden Kent 6, Jeremy Ramos 12, Earl Navarro 2, Jordan Annaguey 19, Christian Cristobal 4, Matteo Mennini 4, Robert Garrison 0.
KAPOLEI— Hezekiah Prado 2, Isiah Higa 9, Kieran Queen-Booker 0, Joshua Ascuncion 0, Jayson Manapul 6, Oshuia Alston 0, Zoar Nedd 19, Marquis Montgomery 2, Ja’shon Carter 13, Solo Sims 0, Colin Xavier 0, Kamakana Cunningham 8, Jeremiah Sanchez 0, Riley Asuncion 0, Kanoa Manalo 0, Isaiah Taylor 1.
3-point goals—Radford 4 (Kent 2, Hill, Ramos). Kapolei 2 (Manapul 2).
Junior varsity—Kapolei 58, Radford 34
Nanakuli 58, Pearl City 42
At Nanakuli
Pearl City (2-7) 9 11 7 15 — 42
Nanakuli (3-6) 12 8 18 20 — 58
PEARL CITY—Albert Perry 0, Saul Saldana 0, Joshua Matsuda 0, Che Erquiza-Oliveros 0, Pierce McMoore 14, Ryan Yamamoto 12, Garren Spillner 10, Jared Nash 4, Jayden Parel 2, Ethan Costas-Paikai 0.
NANAKULI—Daniel Lopez 7, Ian Akaka-Folu 8, Moustapha Wagne 11, Jayrius Alapai 6, Carlos Brown 20, Lynold Tuiloma 0, Kaena Anakalea 4, Stanford Garcia-Diamond 2.
3-point goals—Pearl City 5 (Yamamoto 3, McMoore 2). Nanakuli 2 (Akaka-Folu, Wagne).
Junior varsity—Nanakuli 37, Pearl City 36
Mililani 62, Waialua 51
At Waialua
Mililani (6-3) 10 13 22 17 — 62
Waialua (1-8) 10 9 11 21 — 51
MILILANI—Andrew Valladares 1, Matthew Amistoso 5, Evan Bergman 0, Kaleo Pogue 15, Nakoa Krafft 2, Roman Tovi 4, Marcus Jackson 0, Jalen Miller 14, Cameron Henry 21, Javon Rodriguez 0, Makana Ortiz 0, Pono Ku 0, Tyler Marquina 0.
WAIALUA—Lancen Kuni 30, Julian Fely-Menor 5, Kymani Ayonon 10, Angelo Tamayo 0, Jeremy Tamayo 0, Forest Bell 4, Oliver Hanley 0, Wilfred Tollefson 0, Caleb Apau 0, Jake Riviere 0, Matthan Hatchie 2.
3-point goals—Mililani 4 (Henry 3, Amistoso). Waialua 4 (Ayanon 3, Kuni).
Junior varsity—MIlilani 58, Waialua 23
Aiea 49, Waianae 48
At Aiea
Waianae (5-4) 9 12 11 16 — 48
Aiea (4-5) 14 11 12 12 — 49
WAIANAE—Kade Ambrocio 12, John-Gilbert Ramos 0, Keliinoe Meyers 0, Douglas Mitchell 12, Manu Taukolo 6, Blaze Kahikina 6, Jared Elizares 12.
AIEA—Darian Thompson 0, Jonah Gormley 5, Elvis Garramone 4, Kailen Shinmoto 9, Noah Hartbarger 7, Alex Dela Cruz 10, Micah White-Hikalea 0, Keyson Goins 14.
3-point goals—Waianae 2 (Elizares 2). Aiea 5 (Shinmoto 2, Goins, Hartbarger, Garramone,).
Junior varsity—Aiea 59, Waianae 39
