Punahou clinches ILH regular season title
Punahou’s film study in preparation for a third meeting with ‘Iolani wasn’t all that fun for the Buffanblu, but certainly necessary.
"It was hard to watch," Punahou senior Jennifer Ching said of reviewing a 10-point loss to the Raiders. "We just didn’t want to play like that again."
The Buffanblu turned those lessons into a more composed performance against ‘Iolani’s pressure, and their poise proved critical in capturing the Interscholastic League of Honolulu title last night with a 41-35 victory at the Raiders’ gym.
Along with securing the ILH championship, fifth-ranked Punahou (10-2) also earned the league’s seeded berth in the upcoming Division I state tournament and some valued time off.
"I think it’s a credit to our seniors," Punahou coach Mike Taylor said. "They played with poise and the team just played together."
No. 4 ‘Iolani (9-3) had a seven-game winning streak snapped to close the regular season and must now survive the ILH’s second-place tournament to join Punahou in the state tournament.
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"We can’t dwell on this one," ‘Iolani coach Eddie Maruyama said. "We have to move on and get ready for the playoffs."
In a gritty battle between the league’s top two teams, Punahou led for most of the game and held off the Raiders’ late run led by forward Hailey-Ann Maeda’s 15 points.
Maeda accounted for seven of Punahou’s 15 points in the fourth quarter, five coming in an 8-0 Punahou run after ‘Iolani took a 27-26 lead to open the final period.
"Probably one of the most physical games I’ve ever played in," Maeda said. "The refs just let us play though, it was good. … We got to play basketball."
Ching finished with 10 points and spent much of the evening with the responsibility of bringing the ball upcourt against an ‘Iolani defense that harried the Buffanblu throughout the Raiders’ 51-41 win on Jan. 4.
This time, the Buffanblu were able to find enough openings in the pressure to organize an offense.
"We just took care of the basketball and started hitting some shots," Taylor said. "Their defensive pressure is terrific. You can’t panic, you have to make sure you get in your spots, make your passes and trust the other person to receive it.
"If something adverse has happened you can’t dwell on it, you just move on. The (last) time we played them we bought into adversity and it snowballed on us. This time we just kept calm and cool."
At ‘Iolani gym
| Punahou (10-2) | 13 | 4 | 9 | 15 | — | 41 | |
| ‘Iolani (9-3) | 7 | 7 | 11 | 10 | — | 35 |
PUNAHOU–Keaupono Fey 0, Hailey Motooka 0, Liana Lau 0, Reina Furuya 3, Stacy Lin 0, Turner Wong 6, Kaitlyn Waki 0, Samantha Alakai 0, Mysha Sataraka 3, Julia Brand 2, Daena Mau 0, Michelle Parke 2, Jennifer Ching 10, Hailey-Ann Maeda 15.
‘IOLANI–Kylie Maeda 7, Saphyre Rezentes 12, Katie Tom 0, Jelene Wong 0, Erin Napier 0, Kaitlyn Shikada 0, Abrianna Johnson-Edwards 3, Lahela Usui 5, Alyssa Liilii 4, Alex Masaquel 4, Taimane Passi 0.
3-point goals–Punahou 2 (Furuya, Wong), ‘Iolani 4 (Rezentes 2, Maeda, Usui).
ILH division II girls
Kamehameha II 43, Punahou II 29
Jessica Jelf-Albert and Kapelekua Gramberg both scored 11 points as the Warriors beat the Buffanblu.
At Punahou gym
| Kamehameha (10-3) | 12 | 8 | 15 | 8 | — | 43 |
| Punahou (9-4) | 5 | 5 | 12 | 7 | — | 29 |
KAMEHAMEHA II–Christyn Kamaka 1, Skye Young 7, Jessica Jelf-Albert 11, Arianna Daskauskas 0, Arrisa Thronas 0, Tyana Akana 6, Katrina Dreier 0, Misty Caspino 7, Kapelekua Gramberg 11, Amber Manini 0.
PUNAHOU II–Elisabeth Ushigome 0, Jade Lum 0, Staci Anne Mihara 5, Ailana Meyer 0, Rashelle Nagata 5, Nicole Shelton 7, Amanda Labayog 0, Annie Tanaka 0, Sarah Ann Ota 6, Demi Coolen 6, Tiare Te’o 0, Jennifer Walsh 0, Courtney Kaneshiro 0, Preciousz Savusa 0.
3-point goals — Kamehameha II 2 (Young, Jelf-Albert). Punahou II 4 (Ota 2, Mihara, Nagata).
‘Iolani II 54, Hawaiian Mission 33
Ashlyn Yokoyama hit six 3-pointers and finished with 22 points as the Raiders beat the Knights.
At ‘Iolani II gym
| Hama (3-9) | 4 | 9 | 8 | 12 | — | 33 |
| ‘Iolani II (7-6) | 11 | 12 | 22 | 9 | — | 54 |
HAWAIIAN MISSION–Janae Wong 20, Abegail Ramos 0, Isabella Olsen 8, Carla Ramos 0, Joanna Raganton 0, Kimmy Kanemitsu 0, Ana Bechard 5.
‘IOLANI II–Kelly Cournoyer 0, Ashlyn Yokoyama 22, Cari Anne Nada 0, Siena Simmons 0, Cori Whang 2, Zoe Palmer 1, Sophia Asing-Yuen 0, Ashley Yoshioka 2, Stasha Eliu 2, Malia Ma 4, Melemau Halaifonua 8, Alisha Kodama 0, Leahna Luke 0, Khayden Gabriel 8, Marissa Chow 0, Teru Okamoto 5.
3-point goals — Hawaiian Mission none. ‘Iolani II 7 (Yokoyama 6, Okamoto).
Hawaii Baptist 59, Le Jardin 28
Kimberly Au and Jordin Ramos both scored 10 points and the Eagles beat the Bulldogs for their first ILH Division II title since 1997.
At Hawaii Baptist gym
| Le Jardin (0-13) | 6 | 10 | 7 | 5 | — | 28 |
| Hba (12-1) | 11 | 24 | 14 | 10 | — | 59 |
LE JARDIN–Kelsey Tanouye 4, Kea Olaso 2, Waverly Kaukeano 0, Nikki Caspers 1, Tori Natividad 2, Jordan Gonzalez 0, Dana Kim 0, Makena McPherson 4, Siena Shupe 15, Taylor Valentine 0.
HAWAII BAPTIST–Kanoelani Yadao 3, Reeann Minatoya 2, Natasha Travens 1, Amber Au 3, Rebecca Dang 7, Kimberly Au 10, Jennifer Uehara 6, Reana Lee 2, Jordin Ramos 10, Jami-Lyn Grumling 2, Kayla Yamamoto 5, Chazley Baitlon 4, Nicole Shiroma 0, Lauren Sumida 4.
3-point goals — Le Jardin 1 (Shupe). Hawaii Baptist 3 (K. Au, A. Au, Dang).
Hanalani 42, La Pietra 32
The Royals got hot in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Panthers 18-12 to secure the win.
At Hanalani gym
| La Pietra (2-11) | 3 | 8 | 9 | 12 | — | 32 |
| Hanalani (7-6) | 7 | 10 | 7 | 18 | — | 42 |
LA PIETRA–Kiana Ho’ohuli 3, Angelina Ishiki 1, Hiilei Horner 2, Veronica Thomas 0, Shalina Ishiki 0, Marina Sewell 3, Sarah Aref 0, Joy Winslow 3, Salote Lopes-Liutolo 17, Monique Smith 0, Jordan McDonald 3.
HANALANI–Kira Oyama 5, Sarah Hyde 2, Kimberly Feng 6, Jessica Clanton 10, Malia Bouillion 4, Catherine Armstrong 1, Nicole Gonzalez 6, Ashley Stamm 8, Jodi Shimabukuro 0.
3-point goals — La Pietra 3 (Sewell, Winslow, Ho’ohuli). Hanalani none.
ILH division II boys
Punahou II 40, University 35
Alvin Kwock scored 16 points as the Buffanblu beat the Jr. Rainbows.
At Punahou gym
| University (4-3) | 12 | 6 | 8 | 9 | — | 35 |
| Punahou II (8-1) | 13 | 9 | 9 | 9 | — | 40 |
UNIVERSITY–Andrew Canencia 4, Eugene Malvar 0, Ryan Alvarado 2, Cobey Young 4, Ian Akamine 0, Joe Choy 0, Cameron Conant 6, Gui Aires 13, Peter Fee 2, Ben Keller 4.
PUNAHOU II–Alvin Kwock 16, Ben Ota 2, Matt Taniguchi 3, Jeremy Lee 3, Daley King 6, John Kan 0, Lokahi Matsuo 4, Travis Matsuzaki 0, Creighton Woo 0, Alex Chang 4, Tim Moody 2.
3-point goals — University 1 (Canencia). Punahou II 1 (Lee).
Le Jardin 61, Saint Louis II 60
Sean McWhinnie posted a game-high 22 points as the Bulldogs edged the Crusaders.
At Le Jardin gym
| St. Louis II (3-5) | 9 | 20 | 19 | 12 | — | 60 |
| Le Jardin (2-7) | 22 | 13 | 11 | 15 | — | 61 |
SAINT LOUIS II–King Patrocinio 0, Thayer Schmitz 5, Ross Nogami 5, Skyler Sigston 1, Joseph Kea 0, Joel Letoto 0, Andrew Pacarro 2, Alex Pacheco 5, Dominic Bush 0, Johnathan Greig 2, Kila Kanae 3, James Lewis 1, Zachary Cuarisma 8, Kala McShane 8, Leighton Chang 20.
LE JARDIN–Kelvin Akamine 11, Jaime Marin 0, Frankie Montalvo 8, Sam Spengler 11, Nick Vinsonhaler 0, Sean McWhinnie 22, Juliun Perkins 5, Jake Blaskowski 4, Conor Regan 0.
3-point goals — Saint Louis II 7 (Chang 6, Schmitz). Le Jardin 6 (McWhinnie 3, Spengler, Montalvo, Akamine).
‘Iolani II 48, Lanakila Baptist 40
Tracy Young scored 12 points as the Raiders defeated the Warriors.
At Hanalani gym
| Lba (3-5) | 10 | 9 | 9 | 12 | — | 40 |
| ‘Iolani II (4-5) | 17 | 9 | 8 | 14 | — | 48 |
LANAKILA BAPTIST–Jordan Soriano 0, Nahiku Passi 0, Micah Miranda 10, Tyler Johnson 10, Matthew Kakilala 4, Josh Pananganan 6, Rodney Yun 0, Richard Abbey 8, TEAM 2.
‘IOLANI II–Maika Kealoha 2, Trey Muraoka 8, Shovan Datta 0, Tracy Young 12, Schuyler Shigemura 0, Taylor Lau 0, Brandon Kaiura 8, Shayd Shinsato 12, Austin Gima 2, Aaron Nojima 4, Jonathan Like-Uehara 0.
3-point goals — Lanakila Baptist (Miranda 2, Pananganan). ‘Iolani II 3 (Kaiura 2, Young).
Kamehameha II 60, Hawaii Baptist 46
Evile Ieriko scored 16 points, and Beau Jordan Oshiro and Noah Borden both added 12 as the Warriors pulled away from the Eagles in the second half.
At Hawaii Baptist gym
| Kamehameha (7-1) | 10 | 16 | 15 | 19 | — | 60 |
| Hba(5-4) | 12 | 14 | 7 | 13 | — | 46 |
> KAMEHAMEHA II–Keanu Haina 2, Beau Jordan Oshiro 12, Kieran Watson 6, Matthew Cieslak 2, Evile Ieriko 16, Justyce Kim-Hewlen 0, Micah Pimental 1, Max Castanera 2, Tyren Hepa 7, Noah Borden 12.
HAWAII BAPTIST–Chasen Fukuda 0, Jun Fritz 11, Landry Kiyabu 2, Sage Bulseco 2, Michael Fisher 0, Travis Teramae 2, Brennan Lee 0, Kalei Hosaka 1, Wayden Chu 3, Nathan Le 14, Jordan Kauwe 9, Caleb Gaskins 2, Andrew Kanemaru 0, John Hirokawa 0.
3-point goals — Kamehameha II 8 (Jordan Oshiro 3, Ieriko 3, Hepa 2). Hawaii Baptist 7 (Le 3, Fritz 2, Hosaka, Kauwe).
Maryknoll 49, Hanalani 35
Kaelen Hirashiki and Brandon Hinck scored 15 points each to lead the Spartans past the Royals for their first victory.
At Maryknoll gym
| Hanalani (3-7) | 8 | 8 | 11 | 8 | — | 35 |
| Maryknoll II (1-8) | 13 | 5 | 22 | 9 | — | 49 |
HANALANI–Pomi Milton 0, Lucas Leaman 0, Kainoa Souza Chaves 10, Michael Milton 2, Brandon Kubo 0, Aaron Schoniwitz 9, Zach Relles 8, Nathaniel Lim 0, Kainoa Peterson 6, T.J. Olson 0.
MARYKNOLL II–Travis Patoc 0, Kaelen Hirashiki 15, Ian Morocco 6, Bradford Lum 0, Kevin McLain 3, Mitchell Mizuguchi 2, Neil Nolan Santos 0, Jeremy Talbo 0, Brandon Hinck 15, Conrad Chong 0, Brian Silva 8.
3-point goals — Hanalani 4 (Relles 2, Schoniwitz, Souza Chaves). Maryknoll II 3 (Moracco 2, McLain).
Hawaiian Mission 49, Christian Academy 39
JJ Reynolds scored 16 points and Nesi Bechard added 11 as the Knights beat the Patriots.
Jasen Ocol scored 12 points for Christian Academy.
At Hawaiian Mission gym
| CA (0-8) | 5 | 9 | 4 | 21 | — | 39 |
| HMA (7-3) | 6 | 17 | 12 | 14 | — | 49 |
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY–Matthew Urcia 6, Shaun Bonilla 4, Micah Sugiura 7, Jasen Ocol 12, Chris Canoneo 0, Ryan Kalekini-Stephens 8, Ethan Reyes 2, Jarin Ralar 0, Ryan Helsham 0, Robert Helsham 0.
HAWAIIAN MISSION–Geo Abaya 2, Daniel Williams 0, Christopher Tuttle 0, JT Landenberger 0, Grant Kono 0, Marcus Uechi 0, Brady Clark 0, Devon Tsai 6, Ryan Kim 6, Nesi Bechard 11, Israel Olsen 4, Lucas Earles 4, Polo Jin 0, JJ Reynolds 16.
3-point goals — Christian Academy 5 (Kalekini-Stephens 2, Urcia, Sugiura, Ocol). Hawaiian Mission 4 (Tsai 2, Kim 2).
