Adrienne Jean Sylva was having a solid, workmanlike evening when her coach decided it was time for a change.
Coach Mike Morton pulled the ball out, forced Kaimuki to chase his trio of quick guards, and Pearl City got four clutch free throws from Sylva in the final 1:09 for a 32-29 win at the Bulldogs’ gym.
Fifth-ranked Kaimuki had a chance to tie in the final seconds, but Keana Paez’s 3-point try from the corner fell short as time expired.
“It’s about deep breaths and staying calm,” said Sylva, a 5-foot-4 senior.
Pearl City (16-4 overall) handed Kaimuki its first defeat in league play and remained unbeaten in the double-elimination girls basketball playoff tournament. The Chargers will play host to Roosevelt on Saturday.
The normally aggressive Chargers took a two-point lead early in the fourth and went to a delay game. The ball-handling skills of twin sisters Sabrina Angle and Shawna Angle, plus Sylva, made the tactic practical.
“A.J. came through with the free throws. All our guards can shoot lights out. For some reason, they kept fouling (Sylva),” Morton said. “We had to suck it up, dribble through, keep going and make good passes. We kept the ball out of Kaimuki’s hands. If they don’t have the ball, they can’t score.”
Sylva finished with a team-high eight points. Sabrina Angle added seven points, while the frontcourt of Krystynn Naputi, Dani Magana and Tiari Walker combined for 15 points and 20 boards.
Ashley Savusa paced Kaimuki with 17 points and eight rebounds.
“They seemed like they wanted it more than us. It is what it is. We can’t do anything about it now,” said Savusa, who shot 7-for-14 from the field. “It’s a good experience and it’ll help us learn.”
It was a struggle for the Bulldogs offensively against the Chargers, who sagged into the paint with help-side defense and took their chances. Kaimuki shot just 6-for-21 from 3-point range.
“We lost to them in preseason, so we knew how they play. We wanted to stay in the key (defensively) and not let them penetrate,” Sylva said.
Two key scorers, Paez and Dejah Fa‘asoa, combined for 2-for-14 shooting from the field. Kaimuki, which won all 11 regular-season games and one playoff game coming into Tuesday night’s contest, shot 28 percent (11-for-40) from the field and committed 14 turnovers against Pearl City’s halfcourt man defense.
The visiting Chargers and their feisty following of about 150 fans were often more energized than the home crowd. Pearl City shot 33 percent (13-for-40) from the floor, but limited Kaimuki to two offensive rebounds in the second half.
The Bulldogs could well meet Pearl City again.
“Pearl City’s a tough team. They’ve got good ball movement and two good post players, good outside shooting,” Kaimuki coach Mona Fa‘asoa said. “We had missed layups, missed opportunities. Losing makes us a little more hungry.”
Pearl City had a small lead through the start of the third quarter, when Kaimuki took a 19-17 lead on a 3-pointer by Canny Aikau. Pearl City stayed close and regained the lead at 26-24 on a deep 2 from the corner by Sylva early in the fourth quarter.
After a Chargers timeout, Morton spread his team across the floor and ate up large chunks of time before Kaimuki switched out of its matchup zone.
It was Kaimuki’s first loss since a 35-34 defeat to Mid-Pacific on Dec. 10.
¯¯¯¯¯
At Kaimuki
| PEARL CITY (11-1) |
11 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
— |
32 |
| KAIMUKI (12-1) |
8 |
6 |
10 |
5 |
— |
29 |
PEARL CITY—Sabrina Angle 7, Adrienne Jean Sylva 8, Shawna Angle 2, Krystynn Naputi 4, Dani Magana 5, Tiari Walker 6.
KAIMUKI—Canny Aikau 3, Nikki Vongprachanh 0, Keana Paez 2, Shantaeus Ramos-Dias 1, Dejah Fa‘asoa 3, Ashley Savusa 17, Krysta Yasui 3.
3-point goals—Pearl City 1 (Sa. Angle). Kaimuki 6 (Savusa 3, Aikau, Fa‘asoa, Yasui).
MORE OIA RED PLAYOFFS
Kahuku 47, Kapolei 44
Fia Tailele-Latu scored from the top of the key as the buzzer went off, lifting the Red Raiders past the Hurricanes in the OIA Red playoffs.
Kahuku plays at Kaiser on Thursday, while Kapolei is done for the season.
Trailing much of the game, Kahuku outscored Kapolei 18-10 in the fourth quarter. Leighlani Paselio had a team-high 13 points, Mata Tonga 12 and Tailele-Latu 11 for the Red Raiders.
Paige Kaea had a game-high 24 points for the Hurricanes.
At Kahuku
| KAPOLEI (8-5) |
9 |
18 |
7 |
10 |
— |
44 |
| KAHUKU (11-3) |
14 |
8 |
7 |
18 |
— |
47 |
KAPOLEI—Chermayne Yago 2, Toe Motu 7, Anna Jean Souza 3, Paige Kaea 24, Diamond Carter 0, Malia Folaumahina 6, Alisha Gipson 2.
KAHUKU—Fia Tailele-Latu 11, Tyra Williams 5, Kalynn Latu 0, Pati Anae 2, Jaelynn Kaio-Scott 0, Tisa Teo 2, Tihane Kamae 2, Leighlani Paselio 13, Mata Tonga 12, Tara Tailele 0.
3-point goals—Kapolei 2 (Motu, Souza). Kahuku 2 (Tailele-Latu, Paselio).
Mililani 53, Leilehua 38
Kapili Amamalin and Taylor Babbitt scored 20 points each as the Trojans advanced with a victory over the Mules.
Mililani hosts Kaimuki at 6 p.m. Thursday in an elimination game. Leilehua is done for the season.
Employing a full-court press, Mililani bolted to a
20-2 first-quarter lead with Babbitt scoring nine points and Amamalin six.
Maria Ross led the Mules with 14 points.
At Mililani
| LEILEHUA (9-4) |
2 |
15 |
7 |
14 |
— |
38 |
| MILILANI (11-1) |
20 |
11 |
7 |
15 |
— |
53 |
LEILEHUA—Krizzle Calip 2, Jazmyn Dangaran 0, Jerri Maluyo 2, Precious Loi-on 5, Carissa McBride 7, Tiffany Reyher 3, Elyshia Bowden 5, Bre‘a Langley 0, C.J. Gehring 0, Maria Ross 14.
MILILANI—Jerika Bacuycuy 0, Kaylee Torres 0, Reiko Naniole 0, Kapili Amamalin 20, Taylor Babbitt 20, Kayla Wright 3, Summer Bolibol 0, Nayla Long 10.
3-point goals—Leilehua 2 ( Loi-on, Reyher). Mililani 3 (Babbitt 2, Wright).
ILH DIVISION II GIRLS
Hanalani 42, Le Jardin 32
Sarah Liva scored 18 points while Lyna Kehler and Nicole Gonzalez had 11 each as the Royals cruised past the Bulldogs.
At Hanalani
| LE JARDIN (5-5) |
6 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
— |
32 |
| HANALANI (9-3) |
16 |
12 |
6 |
8 |
— |
42 |
LE JARDIN—Nicole Caspers 0, Kelly Buck 0, Jasmine Baginski 0, Olivia McCabe 8, Kelly Kuchenbecker 8, Dana Kim 0, Jordan Gonzales 0, Renee Van Bergeijk 6, Stephanie Ramos 0, Kacey Kuchenbecker 6, Taylor Valentine 4.
HANALANI—Lyna Kehler 11, Sarah Hyde 2, Malia Boullion 0, Nicole Gonzalez 11, Sarah Liva 18, Tyler Okada 0, Dylan McCorquodale 0, Imani Robertson 0, Brianna Robar 0.
3-point goals—Le Jardin none. Hanalani 1 (Kehler).
Hawaii Baptist 44, Kamehameha II 29
Hayley Dixon and Jennifer Uehara each scored 11 points as the Eagles soared past the Warriors. Uilani Schnackenberg led Kamehameha with nine points.
At Hawaii Baptist
| KS II (6-5) |
2 |
10 |
6 |
11 |
— |
29 |
| HBA (10-3) |
11 |
6 |
8 |
19 |
— |
44 |
KAMEHAMEHA II—Carly Thomas 3, Skye Young 4, Precious Villarimo 0, Tamara Hallums 1, Uilani Schnackenberg 9, Jordikai Watanabe Inouye 0, Angela Reich 0, Brandilee Alexander 7, Kapelekua Gramberg 3, Sanoe Kaohelaulii 2.
HAWAII BAPTIST—Rylie Wada 6, Jaryn Ramos 0, Kaitlyn Mukai 0, Kelsey Bajet 0, Natasha Travens 2, Amber Au 8, Torie Miyoi 0, Kimberly Au 2, Jennifer Uehara 11, Nicole Shiroma 0, Domonique Hart 0, Hailey Chong 0, Lauren Sumida 2, Jenee Brown 0, Hayley Dixon 11, Nicolette Smith 2.
3-point goals—Kamehameha II 1 (Alexander). Hawaii Baptist 5 (Dixon 3, A. Au 2)
La Pietra 28, St. Francis 25
Salote Lopes-Liutolo scored a game-high 17 points as the Panthers rallied to defeat the Saints.
At Manoa Valley Recreation Center gym
| LA PIETRA (5-7) |
8 |
3 |
8 |
9 |
— |
28 |
| ST. FRANCIS (4-7) |
9 |
9 |
5 |
2 |
— |
25 |
LA PIETRA—Kiana Ho‘ohuli 1, Angelina Ishiki 0, Veronica Thomas 0, Marina Sewell 6, Zoe Moriwaki 0, Salote Lopes-Liutolo 17, Monique Smith 0, Jordan McDonald 4.
ST. FRANCIS—Lacey Satele 5, Taylor Bellevou 5, Alissa Pacarro 2, Ashley Kahapea-Wagner 0, Kayla Jones 0, Rachel Carlos 2, Tori Keliiaa 6, Jairian Ka’ahauni 0, Jasmine Soon 3, Jedidah Hanakahi 2, Jessica Rossi 0.
3-point goals—La Pietra none. St. Francis 3 (Bellevou, Satele, Soon).
ILH DIVISION II BOYS (4)
Kamehameha II 64, Pacific Buddhist 11
The Warriors romped to a 25-4 lead after the first quarter and 38-4 at halftime in a rout of the Dragons. TJ Balderas had a game-high 13 points for Kamehameha.
At Kamehameha
| PBA (0-7) |
4 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
— |
11 |
| KS II (7-1) |
25 |
13 |
18 |
8 |
— |
64 |
PACIFIC BUDDDHIST ACADEMY—Jack Ewert 4, Kenton Sato 0, Connor Emerson 0, Justin Eli 0, Andrew Tom 7, Blake Lopianetzky 0, Nicholas Osano 0.
KAMEHAMEHA II—TJ Balderas 13, Brandon Akiona 4, Trent Park 8, Jimmy Gallagher 0, Blayze Liilii 1, Nephi Stevens 10, Tristan Kaonohi 0, Jerom Ching 8, Jayson Murakami 8, Cameron Simao 6, Kody Chai 6.
3-point goals—PBA 1 (Tom). Kamehameha 2 (Park 2).
Punahou II 42, Hawaii Baptist 38
Travis Matsuzaki’s game-high 17 points were just enough as the Buffanblu held off the Eagles. Kalei Hosaka and Travis Teramae each scored 14 points for Hawaii Baptist.
At Hawaii Baptist
| PUNAHOU II (6-2) |
10 |
7 |
12 |
13 |
— |
42 |
| HBA (5-4) |
7 |
8 |
7 |
16 |
— |
38 |
PUNAHOU II—Aaron Dung 0, Jaren McCartney 6, Ben Ota 0, John Kam 2, Taylor McClafferty 2, Alex Shin 1, Travis Matsuzaki 17, Gus Soderholm 0, Taylor Barfield 0, Zach Grief 10, Keith Dowsett 2, Nicholas Schilla 2.
HAWAII BAPTIST—Aaron Miyasaki 2, Michael Dang 0, Travis Teramae 14, BJ Hosaka 0, Kalei Hosaka 14, Matthew Kishaba 0, Jordan Kauwe 8, Matthew Tommee 0, John Hirokawa 0, David Efhan 0, Bryson Hirokawa 0.
3-point goals—Punahou 1 ( McCartney). Hawaii Baptist 4 (K. Hosaka 3, Kauwe).
Saint Louis 55, Le Jardin 51
Zachary Cuarisma scored 14 points, Alex Pacheco 13 and Zachary Baysa 10 as the Crusaders clipped the Bulldogs. Sean McWhinnie had a game-high 25 for Le Jardin.
At McCabe gym
| LE JARDIN (4-4) |
8 |
16 |
15 |
12 |
— |
51 |
| SAINT LOUIS (2-6) |
13 |
17 |
11 |
14 |
— |
55 |
LE JARDIN—Alec MacLeod 2, Frank Montalvo 2, Sean McWhinnie 25, Sam Spengler 5, Julien Perkins 10, Stig Regan 0, Jack Blaskowski 4, Michael Gabrelcik 0, Nick Vinsonhaler 3.
SAINT LOUIS—Joshua Marr 0, Joel Letoto 3, Imaiokalani Park 8, Zachary Baysa 10, Dominic Bush 4, Dallas Smith 3, Kupono Chang 0, Alex Pacheco 13, Afi Greig 0, Zachary Cuarisma 14.
3-point goals—Le Jardin 1 (Vinsonhaler). Saint Louis 4 (Baysa 2, Park, Smith).
St. Francis 52, Hanalani 49
Matthew Nuumanaia scored 25 points and Austin Ursua added 12 as the Saints slipped by the Royals. Kainoa Souza-Chaves had a team-high 11 for Hanalani.
At Manoa Valley Recreation Center gym
| HANALANI (6-2) |
9 |
7 |
14 |
19 |
— |
49 |
| ST. FRANCIS (5-0) |
11 |
16 |
8 |
17 |
— |
52 |
HANALANI—Lucas Leaman 7, Michael Milton 9, Mark Milton 7, John Brady 3, Niko Milone 0, Kainoa Souza-Chaves 11, Tyler Cruz 0, Christian Peterson 9, Duane Teem 3.
ST. FRANCIS—Austin Ursua 12, Sosiua Havea 0, Keola Kealoha 0, Matthew Nuumanaia 25, Kaohukea Sanborn 0, Shabir Lynton 6, Drew Wilson 0, Henry Maumalanga 0, Ranan Mamiya 0, Keoni Tom-Millare 4, Kai Sun 1, Blayne Won 4.
3-point goals—Hanalani 2 (Milton, Peterson). St. Francis 3 (Lynton, Nuumanaia, Ursua).
