Punahou beats Melbourne as son of ex-Rainbow shines
Punahou's Nick Velasquez was fouled by Melbourne Grammer's Dane Pineau while driving to the basket.
It seemed only fitting that a basketball team from Australia led in part by the son of a former Hawaii Rainbow would be destined to win the Punahou Invitational title — in the Stan Sheriff Center.
Nick Velasquez thought otherwise. The sophomore guard was all net on a 3-pointer with 47 seconds left to give Punahou a 42-40 win over Melbourne Grammer yesterday.
Melbourne’s final opportunity came on a 12-foot floater by Anthony Vlitas that missed with 5 seconds left and Punahou rebounded.
"Coach told me to just keep shooting and we’ve got the trophy," Velasquez said. "The best thing is winning this championship. It’s an ultimate team goal."
Melbourne’s 6-foot-8 sophomore, Dane Pineau, was one of the bright spots with a game-high 16 points. As a focal point in the first half, his efficiency in the low post seemed right at home. Pineau’s father, Brad, was a center for UH in the mid-1970s under then-coach Larry Little.
"Dane is going to be a really special player," Melbourne coach Nick Abdicevic said. "Every month, every year, he’s going to get better and he’s difficult to guard."
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Punahou, ranked No. 5 in the Star-Advertiser Top 10, is 9-3 overall. DeForest Buckner has been back with the team for about a week since recovering from a knee injury during football season. He was a tad rusty, but provided tough defense and offensive rebounding.
Velasquez and Buckner finished with 10 points apiece. Buckner, a 6-foot-7 junior, was named the tournament’s most valuable player, joined on the all-tourney team by Malik Johnson (Punahou), Vlitas and Pineau (Melbourne) and Kamehameha-Hawaii’s defensive whiz, Lanaki Apele.
Playing its third game in 18 hours, Punahou was flat and cold until the third quarter. With Melbourne sitting in a 2-3 zone, Punahou’s patience paid off. Johnson, a 6-6 junior drove the baseline for a three-point play, but the lead changed three more times in the fourth quarter.
Pineau’s 3-point shot from the top gave Melbourne a 38-37 lead with 3:25 left, and Justin de Steiger scored on a layup for a three-point lead with 2:40 remaining.
Punahou cut the margin to one point on free throws by Velasquez. After Weerawardena and Anthony Vlitas missed the front ends of 1-and-1s, Velasquez stroked the go-ahead trey.
High scorers—Pun: Nicholas Velasquez 10, DeForest Buckner 10. Mel: Dane Pineau 16, Owinda Weerawardena 10.
» Kamehameha-Hawaii 56, Mid-Pacific 42
High scorers—KSH: Colby Cabatu 15, Shaun Kagawa 11, Jacob Kackley 10, Jayce Carvalho 10. MPI: Titus Failauga 10.
» McKinley 39, Punahou II 34
High scorers—McK: Alex Ironside 12. Pun: Alvin Kwok 15.
» Maryknoll 56, Kalani 47
High scorers—Mryk: Wyatt Pedro 10. Kaln: Tatsuya Ono 19, Nick Huth 10.
» Punahou 52, Kamehameha-Hawaii 46
High scorers—Pun: DeForest Buckner 18, Malik Johnson 10. KSH: Jayce Carvalho 15, Lanaki Apele 11.
Wilsonville (Ore.) 68, Le Jardin 28
Seth Gearhart scored a game-high 33 points as the Wildcats dominated.
At Le Jardin gym
| Wilsonville | 22 | 15 | 18 | 13 | — | 68 |
| Le Jardin | 3 | 14 | 2 | 9 | — | 28 |
WILSONVILLE–Jacob Hagg 0, Jacob Shelton 2, Ryan Walsh 0, Kevin Marshall 4, Ryan Schwarzer 4, Michael Etzel 0, Jalen James 4, Grant McNeil 2, Dylan Livesay 11, Logan Munson 0, Brett Wolvert 0, Seth Gearhart 33, Sione Kauhi 8.
LE JARDIN–Zach Nelson 0, Kelvin Akamine 15, Jaime Marin 0, Frankie Montalvo 1, Sam Spengler 3, Sean McWhinnie 7, Juliun Perkins 2, Jake Blaskowski 0, Conor Regan 0.
3-point goals–Wilsonville 2 (Livesay 2). Le Jardin 3 (Akamine 2, McWhinnie).
Also
Junior varsity boys
‘Iolani 52, Mid-Pacific 40
OIA Red East
Moanalua 51, Kailua 41
Wesley Armbrust scored 16 points and Keven Amaral added 13 for Na Menehune.
At Kailua gym
| Moanalua (1-3) | 12 | 7 | 17 | 15 | — | 51 |
| Kailua (2-5) | 7 | 10 | 8 | 16 | — | 41 |
MOANALUA–Bronson Kepa 7, Keven Amaral 13, Dexter Williams 9, Wesley Armbrust 16, Dillon Turk 5, Richard Villasenor 1.
KAILUA–Kila Zuttermeister 11, Keanu Vela 5, Ethan Mahaulu 11, Luis Valenzuela 9, Rhys Nakakura 5.
3-point goals–Moanalua 3 (Armbrust). Kailua 1 (Nakakura, 2 Valenzuela).
Junior varsity–Moanalua 38, Kailua 34
No. 10 Roosevelt 47, No. 7 Kahuku 41
Kaipo Pale scored a game-high 20 points and the Rough Riders outscored the Red Raiders by eight in the final period to hand Kahuku its first loss of league play.
At Kahuku gym
| Roosevelt (5-1) | 9 | 11 | 11 | 16 | — | 47 |
| Kahuku (5-1) | 9 | 11 | 13 | 8 | — | 41 |
ROOSEVELT–Micah Ikari 0, Ese Tago 2, Brendan Nakatani 11, Johnson Delos-Santos 2, Pono Patoc 0, Kaipo Pale 20, Asten Koki 6, Troy Nakasuji 0, J.J. Mariano 6.
KAHUKU— Evan Ramirez 7, Kawahena Johnson 0, Samala Afalava 8, Tyrone Brown 0, Kai Saniatan 0, Tigi Hill 0, KJ Ululave 7, Danny Aki 0, Bronson Beatty 2, Mekeli Fiso 2, Shairone Thompson 15, Sam Ching 0.
3-point goals–Roosevelt 3 (Mariano 2, Nakatani). Kahuku 3 (Afalava 2, Ramirez).
Junior varsity–Kahuku 65, Roosevelt 45
OIA Red West
Leilehua 64, No. 8 Mililani 60
Xavieuer Adger nailed one of his three 3-pointers near the end of the fourth quarter and Dillon Pau’u made key free throws down the stretch for the Mules to seal the win in an upset of the Trojans.
At Mililani gym
| Leilehua (5-1) | 9 | 23 | 10 | 22 | — | 64 |
| Mililani (4-1) | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | — | 60 |
LEILEHUA–Ikaika Mercado 0, Dillon Pau’u 8, Jeremiah Andrade 0, Trenton Morales 4, Stockton Crowley 8, Reece Acohido 6, Marc Lagmay 0, Jaryn Olayon 2, Xavieuer Adger 24, Richard Cherry 5, Josiah Caravallo 0, Christian Manzo 2, Penetito Melei 5, Russell Siavii 0, Dylan Bender 0.
MILILANI–Damon Shimabukuro 0, Ryan Jacobs 0, Brady Spiridigliozzi 6, Trent McKinney 1, Kyle Ortiz 0, Kaimihoku Wilson 2, Josh Lenchanko 20, Robbie Griffin 0, Alex Bumgarner 8, Riley Borges 6, Hassan Richardson 15, Ervan Jean Pierre 2, Brandon Tacadena 0, Christian Baltazar 0, Taylor Tuia 0.
3-point goals–Leilehua 5 (Adger 3, Cherry, Acohido). Mililani 4 (Richardson 3, Lenchanko).
Junior varsity–Mililani 60, Leilehua 39
Radford 50, Kapolei 35
T.J. Reid and Zach Pelzl scored 10 points each and Steven Watkins finished with nine points, including a huge dunk, 10 rebounds, and five blocks for the Rams.
At Kapolei gym
| Radford (5-1) | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | — | 50 |
| Kapolei (1-5) | 7 | 8 | 6 | 12 | — | 35 |
RADFORD–T.J. Reid 10, Glenn Castil 0, Aaron Bright 1, Wayne Keyes Jr. 3, Ace Watkins 9, Nick Lenover 0, Nashon George 2, Zach Pelzl 10, Jeromy Castro 0, Tevita Baravilala 3, Maika Ulufale 6, Dorsay Norris 2, Roscoe Kalilikane 0, D.J. Huggins 2, Travir Fata 2.
KAPOLEI–Curtis Tavares 5, Devyn Knight 6, Samson Chong 2, Jared Milare 9, Joshua Farias 0, Kiatrell Zachary 0, Joshua Wills 5, Chris Dillard 2, Kapua Awong 4, Zachary Berg 2.
3-point goals–Radford 4 (Reid 2, Keyes Jr., Baravilala). Kapolei 3 (Tavares, Milare, Wills).
Junior varsity–Radford 24, Kapolei 23
Campbell 58, Waianae 51
Christopher Crawford scored 17 of his game-high 26 points in the second quarter to lead the Sabers.
At Waianae gym
| Campbell (3-2) | 12 | 19 | 15 | 12 | — | 58 |
| Waianae (1-5) | 16 | 11 | 11 | 13 | — | 51 |
CAMPBELL–Jarrin Bannister 0, Javen Burdett 0, Micah Cadiente 2, Christopher Crawford 26, B.J. Halmos 2, Fouina Haskins 12, Allan Otanes 10 , Ryan Ramil 0, C.J. Ramos 6, Justin Silva 0, Aaron Steele 0.
WAIANAE–Devon Seabrooks 5, Jaylen Mitchell 5, Devon Kamaka 7, Jonovan Tuinei 15, Jamal Lopez 0, Anthony Niederschmidt 13, Jarryn Marfil 0, Matthew Ramaila 6.
3-point goals–Campbell 2 (Crawford, Otanes). Waianae 2 (Seabrooks, Anthony).
Junior varsity– Campbell 46, Waianae 31
OIA White
Nanakuli 48, Anuenue 44
Joe Shelton scored 18 points as the Golden Hawks edged Na Koa to gain their first win in conference play.
At Nanakuli gym
| Anuenue (1-3) | 8 | 11 | 11 | 14 | — | 44 |
| Nanakuli (1-3) | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | — | 48 |
ANUENUE–Ikaika Gante 17, Mahuka Cullen 2, Laakea Manoi-Hyde 4, Makana Fernandez 0, Pono Kahili 0, Kahooipo Mossman-Ancog 3, Kealoha Smith 5, Makamae Wengler 2, Kamea Kahipo 11, Iokepa Waiwaiole 0.
NANAKULI–Terrell Ochimas 2, Mosiula Moetoto 0, Brenton Corn 0, Kameran Self-Gomes 6, Gary Shelton 5, Nate Auelua-Naki 4, Joe Shelton 18, Kamalu Paris 2, Kalau Kalawa 5, Ikena Anakalea 2, Clayton Atualevao 4.
3-point goals–Anuenue 3 (Gante, Mossman-Ancog, Kahipo). Nanakuli 2 (J. Shelton, Kalawa).
Kalaheo 66, Kamakau 26
Joshua Ko and Shem Sukumaran each scored 13 points to lead the Mustangs to their first conference victory.
At Kalaheo gym
| Kamakau (0-4) | 7 | 5 | 9 | 5 | — | 26 |
| Kalaheo (1-3) | 24 | 9 | 18 | 15 | — | 66 |
KAMAKAU–Kamalu Kamauoha 0, Kalahikiola Heind-Boyd 0, Teawe Olds 11, Kumukoa Oana 7, Kawaipunahele Tenn 5, Keahi Suyat 3.
KALAHEO–Quincy Mason 0, Sage Richardson 1, Joshua Ko 13, Shane Hipa 5, Shem Sukumaran 13, Derick Morgan 10, Jordyn Reindollar 4, Anthony Rowan 6, Silila Tucker 4, Jesten Mortensen-Freitas 5, Jorden Santos 2, Kainoa Lauriano 3.
3-point goals–Kamakau 1 (Oana). Kalaheo 5 (Ko 2, Hipa, Mortensen-Freitas, Sukumaran).
Waialua 60, Aiea 50
Vance Maluyo scored 22 points to lead the Bulldogs.
At Waialua gym
| Aiea (2-2) | 7 | 13 | 13 | 17 | — | 50 |
| Waialua (2-1) | 18 | 14 | 11 | 17 | — | 60 |
AIEA–Chucky Kaahanui 7, Douglas Tautua 5, Daniel Chambers 0, Terence Fong 7, Branden Abiva 0, Ernesto Salazar 2, Freddy Taliulu 8, Deshane Luat 2, Phillip Madriaga 0, Colin Naito 2, Taylor Taliulu 14, Ilalio Sio 3, Zach Mauga 0.
WAIALUA–Domingo Sonnymar 0, William Sacapulo-Uepa 9, Winston Sacapulo-Uepa 0, Veran-Scott Acob 0, Jake Kaysonphet 0, Virgilio Repollo 1, Kristoffer Cuadro 2, Jerimiah Repollo 11, Chase Uhlir 5, Jherico Rivera 0, Victor Nobello 0, Vance Maluyo 22, Rudi Galapia 10.
3-point goals–Aiea 3 (T. Taliulu 2, Fong). Waialua 3 (Repollo 2, Uhlir).
Junior varsity–Aiea 41, Waialua 32
No. 3 Farrington 49, Kaiser 48, OT
J.P. Saycon’s field goal with 3.4 seconds left in overtime kept Farrington unbeaten in league play. Saycon led all scorers with 16 points.
At Kaiser gym
| Farrington (4-0) | 7 | 15 | 9 | 13 | 5 | — | 49 |
| Kaiser (2-2) | 11 | 14 | 8 | 11 | 4 | — | 48 |
FARRINGTON–Paul Solomon 1, Ryan Reyes 2, Jeffrey Madarang 7, Chadey Callazo 5, Lancelot Williams 10, Viane Vaina 8, J.P. Saycon 16.
KAISER–Quinton Wong 2, Bret Kanoa 13, Preston Wuich 15, Justin Wuich 9, Doug Gehring 2, Mark Guirguis 5, John Bice 2.
3-point goals–Farrington 2 (Callazo, WIlliams). Kaiser 2 (Guirguis, J. Wuich).
Junior varsity–Farrington 48, Kaiser 39
MONDAY’S RESULT
At Le Jardin gym
| IPA (2-0 ) | 5 | 19 | 33 | 15 | — | 72 |
| Le Jardin (1-1) | 5 | 12 | 9 | 23 | — | 49 |
ISLAND PACIFIC–Dylan Yamamoto 11, Tyler Billman 7, Kennedy Wilson 4, Jackson Durrett 4, Christian Yagi 3, Royce Ilar 5, Theo Duplechin 19, Jason Brenner 4, Malik Veazie 15.
LE JARDIN–Kelvin Akamine 3, Jaime Marin 3, Frankie Montalvo 9, Sam Spengler 8, Sean McWhinnie 20, Juliun Perkins 5, Conor Regan 1.
3-point goals–Island Pacific none (none). Le Jardin none.
GIRLS
Maryknoll 56, Punahou II 38
Ashley Agcaoili poured in 28 points as the Spartans handed the Buffanblu their first conference loss.
At Maryknoll gym
| Punahou II (6-1) | 3 | 15 | 9 | 11 | — | 38 |
| Maryknoll (7-1) | 9 | 16 | 14 | 17 | — | 56 |
PUNAHOU II–Jade Lum 2, Staci Anne Mihara 0, Ailana Meyer 0, Rashelle Nagata 1, Nicole Shelton 8, Amanda Labayog 6, Annie Tanaka 0, Sarah Ann Ota 13, Demi Coolen 0, Tiare Te’o, Jennifer Walsh 8.
MARYKNOLL–Amanda Busmente 4, Taylor Wong 2, Kimiko Mitchell 3, Ashley Agcaoili 28, Alexis Villa 4, Cianna Ochoco 2, Ashlee DeSantos 5, Athena Adora 8.
3-point goals–Punahou II 2 (Ota 2). Maryknoll none.
Lutheran 46, ‘Iolani II 41
Kaleihiwa Ah New scored 12 points and Lexi Kaneshiro added 11 to lead the Lions past the Raiders.
At Palama Settlement gym
| ‘Iolani II (5-2) | 10 | 11 | 6 | 14 | — | 41 |
| Lutheran (3-3) | 14 | 9 | 9 | 14 | — | 46 |
‘IOLANI II–Kelly Cournoyer 0, Ashlyn Yokoyama 15, Cari Anne Nada 0, Siena Simmons 0, Zoe Palmer 0, Sophia Asing-Yuen 0, Ashley Yoshioka 2, Stasha Eliu 0, Malia Ma 2, Melemau Halaifonua 5, Alisha Kodama 2, Leahna Luke 0, Khayden Gabriel 15, Marissa Chow 0, Teru Okamoto 0.
LUTHERAN–Lexi Kaneshiro 11, Kayla Suganuma 2, Kailyn Osaki 0, Kiana Tom 0, Vikatolia Naulu 10, Kaleihiwa Ah New 12, Kamalei Ah New 10, Briannah Cadiz 0, Aja Keyes 1.
3-point goals–‘Iolani II 4 (Yokoyama 3, Gabriel). Lutheran 3 (Kaneshiro).
Also
Junior varsity girls
Mid-Pacific 48, Sacred Hearts 39
Punahou 43, ‘Iolani 31
CORRECTION
At Hanalani gym
| LBS (2-4) | 2 | 2 | 16 | 13 | — | 33 |
| St. Francis (2-5) | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | — | 50 |
LANAKILA BAPTIST–Erika Ellis 14, Jessica Sonson 2, Emily Abang 3, Amillie Pacheco 0, Cheriane Goodknecht 2, Crystal Sonson 12, Lyndsey Helgeson 0, Bethesda Camacho 0, Jeizelyn Pananganan 0, Cheleste Tampos 0, Emily-Rae Abang 0.
ST. FRANCIS–Tori Keliiaa 10, Kiana Jones 0, Kayla Jones 2, Alissa Pacarro 0, Brittney McCray 0, Jedidah Hanakahi 6, Jasmine Soon 3, Jessica Rossi 7, Rachael Carlos 0, Ashley Kupau 22.
3-point goals–Lanakila Baptist 2 (C. Sonson 2, Abang, Ellis). St. Francis 1 (Keiliia).
