The return of Starr Rivera had everything flowing smoothly again for Roosevelt.
Rivera had 11 points, five assists and four rebounds as the fourth-ranked Rough Riders earned a state-tournament berth by beating Kahuku 51-32 on Friday night at Roosevelt’s gym.
After losing in the league quarterfinals on Wednesday, Roosevelt needed the win to secure one of the OIA’s six berths in the Division I state tournament. Rivera scored all 11 of her points in the first half, teaming with fellow guards Sharice Kawakami and Devyn Kauhi (six points, five steals) to finish off a multitude of transition plays for the speedy Rough Riders.
Kawakami finished with a team-high 17 points and hustled for eight rebounds, including six on the offensive glass.
“She opens up other people. We got real good looks at the basket. Having that third guard really makes a difference,” Rough Riders coach Hinano Higa said.
Rivera, who had an elbow injury recently, sat on the bench during the quarterfinal loss to Kaimuki on Wednesday.
“She brought us back and had us ready to go to states,” Kawakami said.
“I really wanted to be back on the court to help my teammates,” Rivera said. “I love playing basketball.”
Sinamoni Tonga led Kahuku (8-7) with 12 points and seven rebounds.
While Rivera shined brightly in the must-win scenario, Kahuku welcomed back senior guard Fia Tailele-Latu, who suffered an ACL tear in her left knee three weeks ago against Kaiser. The Red Raiders had lost four of six games since the injury to their high-scoring point guard.
“Fia for them makes them dangerous. She has a lot of composure with the ball, driving down the middle. Not having her (healthy) makes a big difference,” Higa said.
Tailele-Latu was grateful more than anything.
“I went to the doctor and asked him for a favor,” she said of getting clearance to play earlier in the day.
“My teammates said, ‘Come on, do it for us.’ He said, ‘You could tear your MCL.’ But I had to do it for them. I’ve been blessed so much already.”
The Lady Raiders came into the game with four players out with injuries: Talia Brown, Taimane Avei, Adora Anae and Tailele-Latu.
Wearing a knee brace, Tailele-Latu came off the bench and helped steady the boat for Kahuku, which struggled against Roosevelt’s fullcourt press. But she was clearly limited by the injury and took just one shot, though she also had a block and a rebound. With 4:43 left in the first half, she and Rivera collided in the key and Tailele-Latu aggravated the injury. She left and didn’t return to the floor.
At Roosevelt
KAHUKU 8 7 7 10 — 32
ROOSEVELT 15 16 9 11 — 51
KAHUKU—Fia Tailele-Latu 0, Cybil Cravens 0, Sinamoni Tonga 12, Delycia Seui-Matagi 2, Kela Schwenke 4, Kahaia Mariteragi 0, Jovelana Muti 0, Tara Tailele 5, Sina Tito 3, Malia Isala 0, Kiana Nauahi 2, Tyra Meredith 4.
ROOSEVELT—Sharice Kawakami 17, Tavae Sofa-Kini 0, Starr Rivera 11, Kaohi Kapiko 0, Devyn Kauhi 6, Keala Quinlan 2, Chelsea Wong 5, Tatiana Mariano 6, Alexis Bennett 4, Krystie Chung 0.
3-point goals—Kahuku 1 (Tito), Roosevelt 5 (Kawakami 3, Rivera, Mariano).
Kaiser 52, Moanalua 36
Ashley Soon scored 16 points as the Cougars held off Na Menehune to advance to the fifth-place game in the OIA playoffs.
Lachae McColor led Moanalua with 15 points.
At Kaiser
Moanalua (8-6) 12 5 11 8 — 36
Kaiser (11-2) 18 14 8 12 — 52
KAISER—Roselynn Shimaoka 6, Chantelle Arce 8, Brandi Arita 2, Taylor Chang-Simeona 0, Jazlyne Rojas 0, Briana Halemanu 0, Ashley Soong 16, Skye Keao 0, Micaela Bitanga 13, Kayla Soong 5, Kayla Nihipali 0, Alissa Soong 2, Natasha Horn 0, Macy Hiraki 0.
MOANALUA—Lachae McColor 15, Sienna Ho 0, Jasmine Sagaysay 3, Sydnie Canencia 0, Alexis Asunsion 2, Keahi Roy 6, Ciera O’Brien 4, Hoku Mateo 4, Miki Sylva 0.
3-point goals—Kaiser 2 (Arce 2). Moanalua 2 (Roy 2).
OIA WHITE GIRLS PLAYOFFS
Kalaheo 42, McKinley 37, OT
Jade Martins scored 15 points as the Mustangs rallied to win in overtime and set up a game against Kailua in the OIA White Division championship on Thursday.
Taisha Thomas led McKinley with 13 points.
At McKinley
Kalaheo (7-6) 5 10 10 9 8 — 42
McKinley (6-6) 12 8 6 8 3 — 37
KALAHEO—Lindsey Unsell 0, Jayla Tamashiro 6, Jade Martins 15, Gabby Clark 10, Tara Takata 5, Ulu Perry 0, Sierra Freitas 5, Rebecca Kahlbaun 1.
MCKINLEY—Mariz Navarro 6, Laika Aragon 4, Miranda Schmillen 7, Tiare Sugui 6, Porsche Santiago 0, Savanna Gonzales 1, Taisha Thomas 13, Jazmayne Williams 0, Tino Mulitauaopele 0, Chelsea Tafai 0.
3-point goals—Kalaheo none. McKinley 4 (Navarro 2, Schmillen, Sugui).
Kailua 54, Aiea 42, OT
Kailua’s Delcie Williams scored 17 points, Patria Vaimoana had 14 and the Surfriders outscored Na Alii 12-0 in overtime in the OIA White semifinals.
Aiea’s Pumehana Beltran scored 19 points.
At Aiea
Kailua (7-6) 15 9 11 7 12 — 54
Aiea (6-5) 12 9 8 13 0 — 42
KAILUA—Delcie Williams 17, Sharray Racoma-Revyelto 0, Kalia Ripley 0, Keala Kaio-Perez 9, Akamulyn Makua 2, Apolonia Fealofani 1, Brianna Kassebeer 6, Saje Perry 0, Patria Vaimoana 14, Sierra Yamaguchi 0, Kahoa Mikaele 5, Choryn Beall 0.
AIEA—Lea Lacar 0, Allysha Cooper-Tabisola 0, Jazlyn Corpuz 0, Mich’lae Higa 16, Mele Sitani 0, Jayme Matsuda 0, Valerie Lane 0, Paula Mauga 4, Natasha Maroney 3, Pumehana Beltran 19, Kyle Johnson 0, Emekina Lautalo 0.
3-point goals—Kailua none, Aiea none
