The good news for the Lady Trojans of Mililani is that their new additions have blended in nicely.
The bad news? They may have to go some time without their top player, Shantel Appleby. The talented post scorer injured a knee early in Tuesday night’s matchup with Waipahu. Mililani won comfortably, 55-20, against the Division II Marauders, in their OIA West regular-season opener.
Appleby, a third-year starter, had been shaking off rust since suffering an ACL injury to her other knee just before the OIA playoffs last season.
“Shantel had a great week of practice after we got back from Maui (in late November). She was rounding back into shape,” Mililani coach Patrick Basilio said. “I thought, ‘Oh no.’ I feel so bad for her. She worked so hard to get back.”
There’s no diagnosis of her injury just yet.
“She said it didn’t feel as bad as the last one,” Basilio said.
With Appleby sidelined, senior transfer Jazmina Lafitaga continued to direct traffic. The former Leilehua player had 10 points, including two treys, with nine rebounds and five assists.
Senior post Velisa Meleisea powered her way to 12 points and six rebounds for the Lady Trojans. Freshman Kalena Gibson ran the floor well and was on the receiving end of several dimes by Lafitaga. Gibson finished with 12 points.
Another freshman, reserve guard Teona Singletary, showed some serious passing skills, with three assists in extended action during the second quarter.
“My three freshmen are still learning,” Basilio said of Gibson, Singletary and Ava Lowell. “They’ve still got a lot to learn.”
Lowell hustled for nine points off the bench, all in the second quarter. The game was fairly close to that point. Appleby’s injury came with 8:24 left in the opening quarter as she hustled for a full-court pass that was a bit long.
After freshman guard Teves Suan scored off a steal, Waipahu was within 11-6 entering the second quarter.
Mililani took command with a 12-3 run. Taysia Canon drove for a bucket and Kayla Torres scored off a steal. After Meleisea hit a follow shot and Lafitaga’s fast-break pass led to a Gibson layup, the Lady Trojans had a 19-6 lead. The visitors got no closer the rest of the way.
Waipahu was patient offensively, but shot 21 percent from the field (8-for-38). All 11 of the Marauders’ free-throw attempts came in the second quarter (4-for-11). Mililani owned a 28-18 edge on the boards and shot 49 percent from the field (24-for-49).
Senior Shannon Mailos led Waipahu with seven points, eight rebounds and three steals. Coach Nadine Villarmia’s team dropped to 0-2 in league play, but also has a fair shot at qualifying for D-II postseason play. There are six OIA teams in D-II. Three will earn state-tournament berths, Villarmia said.
“If we can get better by the end of the season, we have a chance,” she said. “We have a lot to work on.”
| At Mililani |
| Waipahu (0-1) |
6 |
6 |
6 |
2 |
— |
20 |
| Mililani (1-0) |
11 |
25 |
19 |
0 |
— |
55 |
WAIPAHU—Kayla Dias-Pajente 4, Kruzee Balcobero 2, Shannon Mailos 7, C.J. Tamayo 0, Teves Suan 4, Angelica Simanu 2, Kathleen Camangeg 0, Kaelyn Aceret 1.
MILILANI—Velisa Meleisea 12, Brianna Garcia 0, Teona Singletary 0, Kayla Torres 6, Taysia Canon 4, Ava Lowell 9, Elise Vasper 0, Tayliana Souza 0, Caysie Tomas 0, Taylor Walker 0, Jazmina Lafitaga 10, Kalena Gibson 12, Shantel Appleby 2, Melanie Santoro 0.
3-point goals—Waipahu none. Mililani 3 (Lafitaga 2, Lowell).
Junior varsity—Mililani 43, Waipahu 9.
ILH Division i
No. 4 Maryknoll 57,
No. 7 Kamehameha 40
The Spartans made eight 3-pointers to defeat the Warriors in their ILH season opener.
Chayse Milne led Maryknoll with 10 points, while Mikiala Maio scored a game-high 12 points for Kamehameha.
| At Kamehameha |
| Maryknoll (1-0) |
9 |
14 |
18 |
16 |
— |
57 |
| KS (0-1) |
12 |
7 |
9 |
12 |
— |
40 |
MARYKNOLL—Alexis Delovio 9, Rhianne Omori 9, Georgette Steitzel 0, Dakota Vienna 6, Isabella Cravens 3, Chayse Milne 10, Lindsey Lee 3, Kehau Gilliland 0, Ysabelle Halemano 8, Sierra Murobayashi 6, Moenongi Notoa 3.
KAMEHAMEHA—Bailey Chan 0, Laycee Pasion 5, Jewel Paaluhi-Caulk 9, Rylee-Ann Kauahikaua 3, Krista Matsumura 0, Starr Richardson 2, Mikiala Maio 12, Brooke Kaawa 3, Kiana Vierra 4, Kassidy Keola 2, Kalina Obrey 0.
3-point goals—Maryknoll 8 (Vienna 2, Milne 2, Murobayashi 2, Halemano, Delovio). Kamehameha 3 (Pasion, Paaluhi-Caulk, Maio).
Also
Varsity girls
No. 3 Punahou 70, No. 8 ‘Iolani 67, 2OT
Junior varsity girls
Maryknoll 45, ‘Iolani 34
Junior varsity boys
‘Iolani 48, Kamehameha White 31
Punahou Gold 57, Maryknoll 56
Punahou Blue 46, Saint Louis 33
ilh DIVISION II
Damien 49, Hanalani 42
Melina Souza posted 14 points and Karly Navas added nine points to lead the Monarchs over the Royals.
Jonnisty Monalim scored a team-high 11 points for Hanalani.
| At Hanalani |
| Damien (1-0) |
8 |
16 |
10 |
15 |
— |
49 |
| Hanalani (1-1) |
5 |
14 |
12 |
11 |
— |
42 |
DAMIEN—Kelsey Perriera 2, Taylor Labanon 9, Jonnalee Galdones 0, Karly Navas 9, Karissa Racoma 2, Melina Souza 14, Ilana Sagapolutele 8, Ethel Suniga 0, Catherine Votovich 4, Montana Carter 1, Chantelle Agag 0.
HANALANI—Isabelle Aki 5, Rebekah Yamada 4, Alexa Nava 9, Jonnisty Monalim 11, Alyssa Spurling 4, Keila Tsutsui 7, Kiara Peterson 2.
3-point goals—Damien 1 (Sousa). Hanalani 3 (Nava 2, Aki).
Also
Varsity girls
Hawaii Baptist 48, University 26
Junior varsity girls
St. Francis 37, Hawaii Baptist 27
Junior varsity boys
University 66, Hanalani 33
St. Francis 53, Maryknoll 45
Honolulu Waldorf 45, Damien Gold 43
BIIF
Varsity girls
Hilo 65, Kealakehe 27
Honokaa 47, Keaau 3
