Lei around her neck, a smile on her face and a few tears streaming down.
That’s how Lilia Maio celebrated senior night, moments after a 12-point, nine-rebound effort that helped No. 6 Kamehameha edge Mid-Pacific 54-46 Friday night at Kekuhaupio Gym.
“They’re good. They’ve got so much potential,” Maio said of her teammates. “They know what they’re doing. They know what they want.”
Brachelle Nueku had 13 points, including two first-quarter treys, and six rebounds in Kamehameha’s balanced attack.
Kamehameha finished regular-season play 6-6, good for third place in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu (10-6 overall). Mid-Pacific closed in fourth place at 3-9 (5-13 overall).
MPI’s Kiki Robertson was, once again, a human highlight reel with explosive drives to the hoop and long-range 3s.
“I’m not going to sit out. I’ll play it through,” Robertson said of a lingering leg injury that forced her to miss a game last week.
The junior guard still managed to pour in 12 of her 18 points in the final quarter. MPI, which trailed by 11 in the third quarter, pulled within 48-46 with 1:16 to go after Robertson scored seven points in a row.
Kamehameha had seven turnovers in the final quarter against MPI’s fullcourt press, and Pua Kanekoa’s steal at midcourt gave the Owls a chance to take the lead with a minute left. Megan Kinoshita’s 3-point try missed, however, and Kamehameha cashed in on Krystal-Lei Mills’ long pass to Maio for a key basket.
From there, MPI caught the turnover bug and the Warriors sealed the win with free throws by Kealani Ryder and Nueku in the final 21 seconds.
Robertson also had eight rebounds and six assists. Nicole Sato added 11 points, center Camille Ganahl had six points and eight boards, and Kanekoa had five of her team’s nine steals. It was still another close loss for the hardy Owls.
“We weren’t executing. We’ve got to execute better,” Robertson said.
Mid-Pacific won the previous meeting between the two teams at Kekuhaupio Gym in overtime on Jan. 10, and though the Warriors were triumphant, Friday night’s game was a mere formality. Both teams were already set to meet next Wednesday in the league’s playoff for the second state-tourney berth.
Also on Wednesday, runner-up Punahou will host fifth-place Sacred Hearts. ‘Iolani has already clinched the league title and a state berth.
“It’s a brand new season,” MPI coach Wes Masuda said. “The kids are trying their best, trying their hardest. Kiki’s tough. If anything, we’ve got to hold her back because she won’t tell us when she’s sore.”
Kamehameha’s depth and size were key factors. The Warriors outrebounded MPI 45-25, hustling for 14 offensive boards. Eighteen turnovers, though, prevented the home team from pulling away.
The Warriors scored the final six points of the first half for a 26-19 lead, then got four quick points from Maio to stretch the lead to 11.
Kamehameha shot 41 percent from the field (21-for-51), including 2-for-14 from 3-point range. The Warriors were 10-for-15 from the foul line. The Owls shot 28 percent (15-for-54) from the field, launching 12 3-point attempts in the final quarter. They were 6-for-25 from long range and 10-for-15 from the charity stripe. They committed nine turnovers.
¯¯¯¯¯
At Kekuhaupio Gym
| MPI (3-9) |
13 |
6 |
10 |
17 |
— |
46 |
| KS (6-6) |
15 |
11 |
12 |
16 |
— |
54 |
MID-PACIFIC—Nicole Sato 11, Megan Kinoshita 5, Kayla Watanabe 2, Alexe Navarro 0, Kamalei Lyons 2, Mikaela Limper 0, Kiki Robertson 18, Pua Kanekoa 2, Camille Ganahl 6.
KAMEHAMEHA—Brooke Rickard 2, Breann Nueku 4, Sanoe Burgess 5, Kealani Ryder 3, Amanda Wasko 0, Krystal-Lei Mills 4, Alohi Robins-Hardy 7, Brachelle Nueku 13, Kennedi Akana 2, Puuwainui Ah Puck 2, Lilia Maio 12, Shantel Aleki 0.
3-point goals—6 (Sato 3, Robertson 2, Kinoshita), Kamehameha 2 (Brachelle Nueku).
ILH DIVISION II GIRLS
Hanalani 39, La Pietra 31
Sarah Hyde scored 19 points as the Royals defeated the Panthers.
Salote Lopes-Liutolo scored 12 points to lead La Pietra.
At La Pietra
| HANALANI ( 10-3 ) |
9 |
10 |
11 |
9 |
— |
39 |
| LA PIETRA ( 5-8 ) |
7 |
9 |
4 |
11 |
— |
31 |
HANALANI—Lyna Kehler 7, Sarah Hyde 19, Malia Boullion 4, Nicole Gonzalez 2, Sarah Liva 5, Dylan McCorquodale 2.
LA PIETRA—Angelina Ishiki 1, Veronica Thomas 2, Marina Sewell 2, Zoe Moriwaki 3, Salote Lopes-Liutolo 12, Monique Smith 1, Jordan McDonald 10.
3-point goals—Hanalani 1 (Kehler). La Pietra 1 (Moriwaki).
Punahou II 48, Kamehameha II 42
Whitney Sia had 16 points and Michelle San Luis 14 to power the Buffanblu by the Warriors.
At Kamehameha
| PUNAHOU II (10-3) |
10 |
12 |
9 |
17 |
— |
48 |
| KS II (6-6) |
7 |
6 |
16 |
13 |
— |
42 |
PUNAHOU II—Staci Anne Mihara 0, Michelle San Luis 14, Jade Lum 0, Whitney Sia 16, Tiare Teo 5, Arianna Hashimoto 3, Amanda Labayog 7, Jamie Lum 1, Courtney Kaneshiro 0, Juliet Von Rohr 2.
KAMEHAMEHA II—Carly Thomas 6, Skye Young 2, Precious Villarimo 2, Tamara Hallums 5, Uilani Schnackenberg 6, Jordikai Watanabe Inouye 0, Angela Reich 0, Brandilee Alexander 9, Kapelekua Gramberg 5, Sanoe Kaohelaulii 7.
3-point goals—Punahou 5 (Sia 3, San Luis, Labayog). Kamehameha none.
OIA EAST BOYS
No. 6 Kahuku 92, Roosevelt 72
Mekeli Fiso scored 18 points to lead six Red Raiders in double figures in a runaway victory over the Rough Riders. JJ Mariano drilled six 3-pointers and tallied a game-high 23 points for Roosevelt.
At Roosevelt
| KAHUKU (11-0) |
27 |
23 |
20 |
22 |
— |
92 |
| ROOSEVELT (2-9) |
15 |
13 |
26 |
18 |
— |
72 |
KAHUKU—Evan Ramirez 10, Kawehena Johnson 11, Mason Kuali‘i-Moe 13, Lasselle Thompson 14, Reed Salanoa 1, Devailo Galeai 2, Jayven Mohetau 0, Matai Paselio 2, Quayd Ah You 0, Danny Aki 7, Bronson Beatty 0, Mekeli Fiso 18, Koiva Tufaga 0, Sam Ching 14.
ROOSEVELT—Bryson Quackenbush 0, Micah Ikari 4, Devin Furuta-Harada 0, Chevy Coelho 0, Isaiah Visoria 18, JJ Mariano 23, JJ Acopan 3, Anfernee Liwai 6, Kody Sumida 0, William Kan 0, Uriah Hawkins 2, Kealii Awo 0, Matt Haili 16.
3-point goals—Kahuku 5 (Johnson 3, Kuali‘i-Moe, Aki). Roosevelt 10 (Mariano 6, Visoria 2, Ikari, Acopan).
Junior varsity—Kahuku 60, Roosevelt 52
No. 8 Kalaheo 53, McKinley 34
Jordyn Reindollar led a balanced Mustangs attack with 10 points as Kalaheo blitzed the Tigers.
Alex Ironside turned in a game-high 13 points for McKinley.
At Kalaheo
| McKinley (8-3) |
15 |
7 |
4 |
8 |
— |
34 |
| KALAHEO (10-1) |
11 |
14 |
12 |
16 |
— |
53 |
MCKINLEY—Wilhelm Rivera 2, Jeric Ferrer 0, Kui Williams 4, Jace Bolosan 0, A.J. Ortaleza 4, John Henry Ansagay 2, Justly Laquihon 5, William Rollman 2, Alex Ironside 13, Cjay Glino 0, Jared Malaga 2.
KALAHEO—Josh Ko 9, Shem Sukumaran 9, Keisuke Salazar 0, Nainoa Frank 7, Kalani Green 9, Kaohu Summers 1, Derick Morgan 7, Silia Tucker 1, Jordyn Reindollar 10, Anthony Rowan 0, Michael Leong 0.
3-point goals—McKinley 1 (Laquihon). Kalaheo 6 ( Ko 2, Green 2, Sukumaran, Morgan).
Junior varsity—McKinley 61, Kalaheo 54
No. 10 Moanalua 51, Kaimuki 48, OT
Eliet Donley scored four points in overtime to lift Na Menehune over the Bulldogs. Kahanu Puulei-Auld had 12 points and Donley 11 to lead Moanalua. Dio Taulung sank four 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 16 for Kaimuki.
At Kaimuki
| MOANALUA (8-3) |
11 |
11 |
11 |
13 |
5 |
— |
51 |
| KAIMUKI (4-7) |
7 |
6 |
15 |
18 |
2 |
— |
48 |
MOANALUA—Kreig Kepa 5, Daib Starks 0, Kahanu Puulei-Auld 12, Alex Hutson 4, Eliet Donley 11, Tahiarii Caldwell 0, Dillon Turk 4, Shane Ratledge 4, Brent Yee 0, Chris Hammond 0, Jonah Ramelb 2, Kyrie’ McRaven 9, Corey Crockett 0.
KAIMUKI—Hunter Young 0, Zachary Bastatas 8, Jordan Palik 3, Dio Taulung 16, Nick Motellang 2, Maui Travis 0, Brandon Kekoa 2, Tai Boyd 4, Jaypee Unabia 10, Seros Leviticus 0, Siaosi Hala‘api‘api 3, Amu Moefu 0.
3-point goals—Moanalua 2 (Puulei-Auld 2). Kaimuki 9 (Taulung 4, Bastatas 2, Unabia 2, Palik).
Junior varsity—Moanalua 52, Kaimuki 31
Farrington 51, Castle 41
Tyler Liana scored 16 points and Viane Vaina added 13 as the Governors defeated the Knights.
At Castle
| FARRINGTON (7-4) |
15 |
19 |
9 |
8 |
— |
51 |
| CASTLE (3-8) |
8 |
12 |
10 |
11 |
— |
41 |
FARRINGTON—Shane Cabato-Machado 0, Jeffrey Madarang 7, Mikey Kleman 14, Marco Cudia 1, Viane Vaina 13, Tyler Liana 16, Keanu Foki 0.
CASTLE—Rudy Tyquiengco 0, Joe Lilio 2, Kalei Zuttermeister 0, Seth Tiumalu 14, Kela Shea 10, Teawe Olds 2, Micah Maeda 5, Fa‘asea Lakatani 6, Brett Harrington 2.
3-point goals—Farrington 3 (Kleman 2, Madarang). Castle 1 (Maeda).
Junior varsity—Farrington 76, Castle 34
Kaiser 63, Anuenue 48
Preston Wuich racked up 22 points to lead the Cougars in a win over Na Koa.
At Kaiser
| ANUENUE (0-11) |
16 |
5 |
13 |
14 |
— |
48 |
| KAISER (6-5) |
14 |
16 |
18 |
15 |
— |
63 |
ANUENUE—Kimo Romena 3, Keanu Rodriguez 3, Pono Kahili 2, Kamanao Dureg 0, Kahoo Mossman-Ancog 12, Makana Fernandez 7, Kawaa Kahana-Reid 0, Kealoha Smith 2, Mahuka Cullen 5, Na‘alii Dureg 7, Laakea Manoi-Hyde 7.
KAISER—John Bice 3, Royce Kuromoto 0, Joshua Simao 2, Casey Bolda 5, Shiloh Laboy 3, Preston Wuich 22, Malosi Kaimikaua 13, Cruz Kalaugher 15, Billy McGivern 0, Leimana Chong-Gum 0, Christian Kastrinakis 0, Nathan Brown 0.
3-point goals—Anuenue 7 (Mossman-Ancog 4, Cullen, Rodriguez, Romena). Kaiser 2 (Bolda, Kaimikaua).
Pearl City 44, Campbell 25
Kailon Sabate scored 13 points to lead the Chargers over the Sabers.
At Campbell
| PEARL CITY (7-3) |
8 |
15 |
7 |
14 |
— |
44 |
| CAMPBELL (7-3) |
10 |
7 |
2 |
6 |
— |
25 |
PEARL CITY—Kailon Sabate 13, Ryan Arguelles 2, Reymart Rosario 1, Tysen Hickcox 3, Lawrence Sunnyglisson 3, Marc Suniga 4, Kapena Akiona 8, Paul Perry III 5, Bryson Takaesu 2, Isaac Amorin 3.
CAMPBELL—Brannon Bantolina 0, Ryan Francis Ramil 7, Manuel Sy Jr. 8, Micah Cadiente 0, Justin Silva-Freeman 3, Aaron Steele 2, Jarrett Snell 0, Jarrin Bannister 1, Solomon Leaeno 3, Javen Burdett 1.
3-point goals—Pearl City none. Campbell 3 (Sy 2, Ramil).
Junior varsity—Campbell 50, Pearl City 38
OIA WEST BOYS
Kapolei 48, Mililani 46
A 20-point rally in the fourth quarter lifted the undefeated Hurricanes over the Trojans.
With the game tied and 17.9 seconds left, a missed Mililani opportunity resulted in a last-ditch layup by Joshua Farias to win the game. Kapolei’s Joshua Wills and Christopher Dillard scored 15 points apiece in the win.
At Mililani
| KAPOLEI (10-0) |
4 |
13 |
11 |
20 |
— |
48 |
| MILILANI (8-2) |
7 |
16 |
15 |
8 |
— |
46 |
KAPOLEI—Dorien Antonio Martos 0, Kiatrell Zachery 2, Curtis Tavares 3, Elia McKeague 0, Joshua Wills 15, Joshua Farias 4, Kula Seno 0, Kaeo Soares 0, Christopher Dillard 15, Michael Bartel 0, Zachery Reeves 9, Michael Kapoi 0.
MILILANI—Tyler Morgan 0, Skyler Gayhart 0, Josh Stevens 0, Chedan Pascual 0, Damon Shimabukuro 0, Alex Bumgarner 8, Deshawn Duncan-Benson 15, Marcus Beamon 0, Riley Borges 10, Jonathan Makaiau 3, Peter Bueno 2, Taylor Tuia 8, Sylvester Panoncillo 0, Jo Juan Richardson 0.
3-point goals—Kapolei 3 (Wills 2, Tavares). Mililani 3 (Bumgarner 2, Borges).
Junior varsity—Mililani 60, Kapolei 29
Nanakuli 68, Waialua 51
Gary Shelton scored 19 points and his brother Joe added 18 as the Golden Eagles defeated the Bulldogs. Jerimiah Repollo had four 3-pointers and a game-high 24 points for Waialua.
At Nanakuli
| WAIALUA (1-9) |
13 |
10 |
12 |
16 |
— |
51 |
| NANAKULI (2-8) |
17 |
9 |
20 |
22 |
— |
68 |
WAIALUA—Jake Kaysonphet 10, Xavier Repollo 6, Keevin Cuadro 4, Sonnymar Domingo 0, Jerimiah Repollo 24, Winston Sacapulo-Uepa 4, Chase Uhlir 2, Richard Pascua 0, Bryan Pascua 1.
NANAKULI—Alika Moore 8, Charles Garcia 3, Nyenoa Ulangca 3, Gary Shelton 19, Tryson Vincent 8, Joe Shelton 18, Daniel Puni 9, Royce Ochimas 0.
3-point goals—Waialua 4 (J. Repollo 4). Nanakuli 1 (J. Shelton).
Junior varsity—Waialua 37, Nanakuli 30
Waipahu 48, Radford 44
The Marauders outscored the Rams 19-8 in the fourth quarter to rally for the win.
Radford struggled at the free-throw line, going 5-for-20.
Roy Florenco scored 17 points to lead Waipahu’s offense.
At Radford
| WAIPAHU (2-8) |
6 |
12 |
11 |
19 |
— |
48 |
| RADFORD (3-7) |
15 |
9 |
12 |
8 |
— |
44 |
WAIPAHU—Richard Ugalde 6, Anderson Dominic 0, Hezekiah Vaioletama 0, Naftali Tolibas 0, Brendan Mendoza 0, Marc Moises 8, Jed Pagtulingan 4, Wes Nagaseu 7, Roy Florenco 17, Eric Castro 4, Triton Tatupu 2, Tyler Paguirigan 0, Tafatolu Naea 0.
RADFORD—Cy Salanoa 2, Lupei Terawaa 5, Pale Poe 0, Roscoe Kalilikane 9, Jeromy Castro 5, Jamoree Jackson 1, Amdrew Togialua , Dorsey Norris 10, Markas Lee 0, Mark Anthony Villejo 8, Sean Spears 0, Favian Moore 4, Ammon Seei 0.
3-point goals—Waipahu 4 (Ugalde 2, Moises 2). Radford 3 (Villejo 2, Kalilikane).
Junior varsity—Radford 52, Waipahu 48
Leilehua 56, Waianae 37
Penetito Mele scored 11 points and Russell Siavii 10 to lead the Mules over the Seariders. Devon Seabrooks had a game-high 12 for Waianae.
At Leilehua
| WAIANAE (4-6) |
7 |
6 |
9 |
15 |
— |
37 |
| LEILEHUA (8-2) |
16 |
12 |
16 |
12 |
— |
56 |
WAIANAE—Devon Kamaka 6, Justin Kila 2, Jamal Lopez 6, Devon Seabrooks 12, Makana Piilani 0, Anthony Hughes 1, Austin Reese 6, Alexander Richardson 4, Jarryn Marfil 0, Bronson Brown-Kaopua 0.
LEILEHUA—Russell Siavii 10, Darrien Bobbitt 4, Jeremiah Andrade 4, Mikai Peyton 0, Reece Acohido 2, Jalen Bailey 4, Larry William-Rutkowski 6, Kenneth Hill 0, Troy Ross 2, Cody Halvorson 9, Christian Manzo-Loera 2, Penetito Mele 11, Marvin Roldon 2.
3-point goals—Waianae none. Leilehua none.
Junior varsity—Leilehua 65, Waianae 25
ILH DIVISION II BOYS
Kamehameha II 61, Saint Louis II 34
Tristan Kaonohi tossed in 12 points as the Warriors subdued the Crusaders. Joel Letoto had 12 points for Saint Louis.
At McCabe Gym
| KAMEHAMEHA II (8-1) |
16 |
13 |
12 |
20 |
— |
61 |
| SAINT LOUIS II (2-7) |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
— |
34 |
KAMEHAMEHA II—TJ Balderas 3, Brandon Akiona 8, Trent Park 4, Trevor Aikau 2, Jimmy Gallagher 8, Blayze Liilii 4, Nephi Stevens 6, Tristan Kaonohi 12, Jerom Ching 6, Jayson Murakami 2, Cameron Simao 4, Kody Chai 2.
SAINT LOUIS II—Joshua Marr 5, Joel Letoto 12, Imaiokalani Park 0, Zachary Baysa 0, Dominic Bush 2, Dallas Smith 3, Kupono Chang 0, Alex Pacheco 2, Mason Kaui 0, Afi Greig 2, Zachary Cuarisma 8.
3-point goals—Kamehameha 5 (Gallagher 2, Kaonohi 2, Park). Saint Louis 3 ( Letoto 2, Marr).
