Defense takes the Rough Riders to lofty places.

They proved it in crunch time on Thursday, double- and triple-teaming Moanalua’s LaChae McColor en route to a hard-earned 59-51 win at Na Menehune’s gym. It was the first loss in OIA East play for Moanalua (8-1), as Roosevelt (9-0) continued to roll through the division.

Sophomore Sharice Kawakami led a fast-breaking Roosevelt offense with 14 points. Guard Tavae Sina Sofa added 11 and Starr Rivera tallied 10. Devyn Kauhi anchored the frontcourt with 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. McColor poured in 21 points, going 5-for-9 from the field and 10-for-14 from the foul line. But when the Rough Riders needed to clamp down, they held the determined senior scoreless in the final five minuets.

That was enough to put a slight damper on Moanalua’s senior night.

"Watching LaChae, she always takes it to the basket," Rivera said. "We’re playing as a team."

Roosevelt was aggressive as usual, building a 24-8 lead after one quarter.

"We had a lot of energy in the game, but credit to Moanalua, they came out strong in the second," Roosevelt coach Hinano Higa said.

With post Keala Quinlan in early foul trouble, things got murky for Roosevelt when Kawakami picked up a third foul early in the third quarter.

Moanalua fell behind 50-31 after Kaohi Kapiko hit a 3 for the Rough Riders late in the third quarter. But Na Menehune kept attacking and going to the line. After Ciera O’Brien hit a foul shot with 1:02 left, they trailed 58-49. That was the closest Moanalua got until the final score.

McColor also grabbed nine rebounds, while teammate Hoku Mateo had 14 points and 12 rebounds despite sitting most of the first quarter after picking up an early foul.

"It was the most competitive game we’ve played this season," Na Menehune coach Tani Almont-Done said. "We have a lot to learn. Second half, we finally got into a groove, so we had to get out of a hole. I’m proud of my girls. They didn’t give up, but they couldn’t stop those 3s. Roosevelt is a tough squad."

ROOSEVELT–Ashley Kiko 0, Sharice Kawakami 14, Tavae Sina Sofa 11, Starr Rivera 10, Kaohi Kapiko 7, Devyn Kauhi 13, Keala Quinlan 4, Destiny Holani 0.

MOANALUA–LaChae McColor 21,  Jasmine Sagaysay 0, Ciera O’Brien 7, Keahi-lele Roy 3, Hokukealani Mateo 14, Jazmina Iafitaga 0, Cherie Bento 6.

3-point goals–Roosevelt 5 (Kapiko 2, Kawakami, Sina Sofa, Rivera). Moanalua 2 (McColor, Roy).

Junior varsity– Roosevelt 45, Moanalua 34

OIA EAST GIRLS

Kaiser 58, Kaimuki 30

Brooke Ho scored 20 points and Roselyn Shimaoka and Chantelle Arce added 15 each to lead the Cougars over the Bulldogs. Valerie Wilson and Seplynn Aikau had nine points each for Kaimuki.

KAISER–Roselyn Shimaoka 15, Chantelle Arce 15, Tasha Horn 2, Brandi Arita 0, Briana Halemanu 4, Kiana Matsumoto 0, Jordan Passas 0, Macy Hiraki 0, Karly Demello 0, Skye Keao 0, Brooke Ho 20, Brandi Baker 2.

KAIMUKI–Jenny Jesse 3, Angela Wright 2, Seplynn Aikau 9, Valerie Wilson 9, Perpetua Bregoli 5, Brandy Pfeiffer-Kekoa 2.

3-point goals–Kaiser 3 (Arce 3). Kaimuki 2 (Wilson, Bregoli).

Junior varsity– Kaiser 47, Kaimuki 14

Castle 65, Kalaheo 36

Sierra Koki scored 21 points and Sheastel Tiumalu had 16 to lead the Knights over the Mustangs. Jadyn Silva had 12 points in the loss.

CASTLE–Shaney Tiumalu 8, Sierra Koki 21, Briana Hidalgo 2, Asia Almedia 13, Sheastel Tiumalu 16, Chassi Silva-Santiago 5.

KALAHEO–Esther Ilab 6, Kama Aveiro 0, Shauntay Sugse 0, Jadyn Silva 12, Tyler Meredith 2, Jasmine Flores 0, Tiffany Beach 0, Tyra Meredith 6, Sierra Yamaguchi 1, Michelle Sasaki 4, Kylie Kaiahua 0, Kaulu Perry 5

3-point goals–Castle 2 (Koki 2). Kalaheo 3 (Silva 2, Perry).

Junior varsity– Castle 55, Kalaheo 30

OIA WEST GIRLS

No. 4 Mililani 70, Pearl City 10

The Trojans continued their undefeated streak in conference play, routing the Chargers by 60 points.

Mikaela Limper had 20 points to lead Mililani.

MILILANI–Jerika Dacuycuy 4, Kayla Torres 2, Kristen Tamagawa 6, Alex Ancheta 0, Mikaela Limper 20, Shantell Appleby 10, Summer Bolibol 8, Sarah Liva 10, Janiya Reese 4, Zyriana Davies 2, Jamie Yuki 0, Sabrina Stratton 4.

PEARL CITY–Louise Pekelo 1, Ciera Sylva 5, Jurey Jao 2, Christine Fuimaono 0, Tianna Amorin 0, Desiree Altavale 0, Kayelah Arakaki 0, Brandee Huihui 0, Chiemi Trias 0, Sina Sinclair 0, Agassi Augafa 2.

3-point goals--Mililani 3 (Limper 3). Pearl City 1 (Sylva).

Junior varsity–Mililani 55, Pearl City 13

Leilehua 59, Waialua 15

Tywanna Abbott scored 16 points, Tiffany Reyher scored 14 and Chyel Palmer had 10 to lead the Mules over the Bulldogs. Kiana Paakauila had seven points for Waialua.

LEILEHUA–Ariel Cabello 0, Chloe Pojas 2, Tatiana Carvallo 2, Jerri Maluyo 9, Tywanna Abbott 16, Chyel Palmer 10, Paige Kimura 0, Tiffany Reyher 14, Mere McKenzie 2, Azah Quach 4.

WAIALUA–Kaedy Hatchett 2, Kiana Paakauila 7,  Via-Mae Pascua 0, Kaitlin Ayonon 0, Athena Bayudan 0, Kayla Kapika0 , Alania Bayudam 0, Chelsea Pascua 0, Elena Rivera-Velez 0, Liliana Marks 2, Gabriella Delgado 0, Kamryn Lendio  4.

3-point goals–Leilehua none. Waialua 1 (Paakauila).

Aiea 41, Waipahu 19

Mich’lae Higa scored 24 points to lead Na Alii over the Marauders

 AIEA–Allysha Cooper-Tabisola 6, Jazlyn Corpuz 0, Eliana Mundon 0, Mich’lae Higa 24, Kyle Johnson 7, Kailly Paulo 3, Chantelle Shimabukuro 0, Vien Crisostomo 0, Emekina Lautalo 0, Natasha Maroney 1.

WAIPAHU–Shaina Asada 0, Arriane-Joshua Fernandez 6, Arriane-Janine Fernandez 0, Rhica Savella 3,  Jayde Libby 0, Alyssa Lene 2, Cecilia Satui 0, Kuinita Donley 8, Kanoe Salbabero-Toyama 0.

3-point goals–Aiea none. Waipahu 2 (Arriane-Joshua Fernandez 2).

Junior varsity–Waipahu 47, Aiea 30

Waianae 46, Campbell 39

Mahina Chong scored 12 points as the Seariders defeated the Sabers.

Sabrina Marzan had 14 points to lead Campbell in the loss

Also

Kapolei 43, Radford 40

ILH

Varsity boys I-AA

Maryknoll 50, Saint Louis 46