The emotions surrounding senior night can distract players’ attention from the game.
That was a concern for Maryknoll coach Kelly Grant heading into Tuesday’s ILH basketball game. Posters of his seniors adorned a Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium wall and a postgame ceremony awaited them.
But his senior duo of Michael Mercado-Smith and Hayato Kamata alleviated those fears with a second-half rally to help eighth-ranked Maryknoll to a 44-41 upset of No. 2 ‘Iolani.
“The one thing you worry about is if they’re focused and ready to play,” Grant said. “Hayato and Michael not only were ready to play, they were major contributors tonight. Hayato was going to the basket under control and Michael was hitting his shots.”
Mercado-Smith scored six of his 12 points during a third-quarter rally and Kamata hit two free throws late in the game. The win came after the Spartans (2-3) knocked off Punahou on Saturday in ILH play.
“It gives us a lot of confidence right now and confidence in beating the next team coming up,” Mercado-Smith said. “We just got to practice harder so we can beat those teams.”
Maryknoll got back into the game with a 12-2 run in the third quarter. Mercado-Smith hit several midrange shots and his team’s defense forced several ‘Iolani turnovers. The Raiders, who scored from the paint throughout the first half, couldn’t get the ball inside and missed three 3-point attempts. Mercado-Smith’s basket with 1:00 remaining gave Maryknoll a 33-31 lead, the Spartans’ first lead since 2-0. Brian Washington scored six of his 14 points in the third for Maryknoll.
“More heart, just play with more energy,” Mercado-Smith said. “We switched it up with zone and man, just to give them a different look coming down the floor.”
Maryknoll extended its lead to 40-33 on Kamata’s two free throws with 5:12 left in the fourth. But the Raiders rallied, cutting it to 42-40 on Hugh Hogland’s shot with 53 seconds remaining.
Hogland made one of two free throws to close to 42-41 with 11.7 seconds left.
Maryknoll then used its final two timeouts before Kamata was fouled with 10.5 seconds. The senior made both ends of a 1-and-1 for a 44-41 lead.
“I had confidence in him because he makes it in practice,” Mercado-Smith said.
The Raiders then missed two looks from 3-point range in the final six seconds.
“We wanted to get a clean look at a 3 and I thought we got two good looks at a 3,” ‘Iolani coach Dean Shimamoto said. “In a situation like that, you just hope to get a clean look.”
Robby Mann scored 14 of his 17 points in the first half and Hogland scored 11 for the Raiders (3-2). The Raiders managed just four field goals in the second half.
“It shows where if you don’t bring everything and you don’t scrap for every possession, you don’t fight for the ball every single time, games like this can easily go the other way,” Shimamoto said. “It’s a lesson we have to learn. The ILH is not going to get any easier.”
Grant said the win will help his team tremendously and hopes the Spartans remain focused during the remainder of league play.
“Just ride this wave, hopefully it’s a long wave we can ride,” Grant said.
No. 7 Kamehameha 56, No. 5 Mid-Pacific 42
The Warriors used a balanced attack, led by Kaeler Kahana’s 13 points, to stifle the Owls on their home court. The Warriors were 24-for-27 on free throws, with one of their misses coming on a lane violation, while the Owls were 5-for-15.
ILH DIVISION I BOYS
No. 8 Maryknoll 44,
No. 2 ‘Iolani 41
| At Maryknoll |
| ‘Iolani (3-2) |
13 |
13 |
5 |
10 |
— |
41 |
| Maryknoll (2-3) |
13 |
8 |
12 |
11 |
— |
44 |
‘IOLANI—Ryan Yoshioka 0, Helam Baldomero 0, Robby Mann 17, Zack Gelacio 5, Ryan Van Cantfort 0, Nick Kennedy 4, Noah Bumanglag 0, Justin Genovia 4, Bailey Alabanza 0, Cole Hogland 0, Cameron Chang 0, Hugh Hogland 11.
MARYKNOLL—Isiah Gelacio 3, Michael Mercado-Smith 12, Jordyn-Thomas Perez 2, Daven Pila 0, Hayato Kamata 5, William Tam 0, Kainoa Ferreira 0, Jaylen Cain 6, Kaulana Schmidt 0, Andreas Jankovic 0, Brian Washington 14, Tafari Tenchi Robinson 0, Everett McDaniel 2.
3-point goals—‘Iolani 3 (Mann 2, Gelacio). Maryknoll 1 (Gelacio).
No. 4 Kamehameha 56, No. 5 Mid-Pacific 42
| At Mid-Pacific |
| Kamehameha (3-2) |
10 |
17 |
12 |
17 |
— |
56 |
| Mid-Pacific (2-3) |
6 |
13 |
9 |
14 |
— |
41 |
KAMEHAMEHA—Jayden Zarriello 7, Kamren Victorino-Kato 1, Saint Gelacio 9, Noah Gelacio 2, Fatu Sua-Godinet 9, Peter Hanohano-Hashimoto 4, Kobe Young 4, Kaeler Kahana 13, Pono Arias 5, Nakoa Pauole 2.
MID-PACIFIC—Codey Mita 0, Isaiah Browning 2, Daniel Florenco 7, Travis Murayama 0, Jacen Kimura 3, Travis Hayashi 2, Zion Shepherd 7, Major Davis 7, Justin Daise 12, Logan Hutchinson 2.
3-point goals—Kamehameha 2 (Zarriello, S. Gelacio). Mid-Pacific 3 (Florenco, Kimura, Davis).
ILH DIVISION II BOYS
Hanalani 64,
Christian Academy 60
The Royals, led by Jesse Leaman (14), Aaron Leong (20) and Jadin Jam (12), squeaked past the Patriots with a late rally.
Christian Academy’s Isaiah Harris had a game-high 21 points.
| At Hanalani |
| CA (0-6) |
14 |
19 |
14 |
13 |
— |
60 |
| Hanalani (2-3) |
18 |
16 |
8 |
22 |
— |
64 |
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY—Isaiah Harris 21, Zach Benigno , Preston Ferry 0, Rylie Schenbeck Chang 4, Bryson Stride 2, Matt Tokuda 6, Jacob Salas 9, Dakota Fisher 11, Hollis Tam 2, Brayden Salas 5.
HANALANI—Jesse Leaman 14, Jacob Saito 7, Reyn Romero 0, Aaron Leong 20, Tyler Iguchi 0, Herbert Cacal 0, Ryan Kaneshiro 2, Jadin Kam 12, Zane Pantil 9.
3-point goals—Christian Academy 4 (Fisher 3, Chang). Hanalani 5 (Kam 3, Leong 2).
St. Francis 87, Hawaii Baptist 58
Kameron Ng scored 22 points and Supilani Mailei added 21 as the Saints remained undefeated in league play.
Micah Mitchell finished with four three-pointers and 19 points for the Eagles.
| At Hawaii Baptist |
| St. Francis (6-0) |
30 |
18 |
17 |
22 |
— |
87 |
| HBA (1-4) |
17 |
18 |
11 |
12 |
— |
58 |
ST. FRANCIS—Supilani Mailei 21, Kameron Ng 22, Bryce Nishida 5, Noah Kurosawa 8, Boris Vukovic 9, Bubba Akana 7, Jordan Woo 0, JJ Paaluhi-Caulk 5, Wembley Mailei 0, Micah Kalei 8, Laulala Fietonu 0, Isaac Crichton 2.
HAWAII BAPTIST—Brandon Hirokawa 0, Matt Sakai 0, Tanner Miyoi 0, Rhet Sugihara 0, Micah Mitchell 19, Sam Nishimiya 0, Logan Takeda 0, Brett Miller 9, Max Weimken 4, Kellen Takatsuka 8, Ty Minatoya 17, Cole Galicinao 1, Adam Kikuta 0, Payton Lee 0, Bryson Gonzalez 0.
3-point goals—St. Francis 6 (Ng 3, Kurosawa 2, Nishida). Hawaii Baptist 9 (Mitchell 4, Minatoya 3, Takatsuka 2).
University 62,
Le Jardin 51
Ryan Hobus scored 18 points and Micah Agcaoili added 14 in the Jr. ’Bows’ victory over the Bulldogs.
Mitchell Hashimoto finished with 19 points for Le Jardin.
| At Le Jardin |
| University (5-1) |
14 |
18 |
14 |
16 |
— |
62 |
| Le Jardin (4-2) |
13 |
8 |
14 |
16 |
— |
51 |
UNIVERSITY—Lachlan MacLeod 5, Micah Agcaoili 14, Anson Canencia 8, Kapena Fitzgerald 5, Charlie Fox 4, Keawe Tong 0, Ryan Hobus 18, Radyn Kaleikini 8, Otto Taylor 0.
LE JARDIN—Charlie Abe 5, Mitchell Hashimoto 19, Jerry Lawson 11, Corey Grip 6, Dominic Venezia 11.
3-point goals—University 2 (Agcaoili 2). Le Jardin 4 (Hashimoto 3, Abe).
ILH JV BOYS
Mid-Pacific 58, Saint Louis 55
Punahou Gold 66, Maryknoll 59
ILH DIVISION I GIRLS
No. 4 Punahou 45, Kamehameha 30
The Buffanblu, led by Kamaile Kandiah’s 16 points and Va’e Malufau’s 12, used a big second half to down the Warriors at home.
The Warriors were led by Kalina Obrey’s 14 points.
| At Kamehameha |
| Punahou (7-1) |
8 |
14 |
11 |
12 |
— |
45 |
| Kamehameha (1-7) |
10 |
8 |
7 |
5 |
— |
30 |
PUNAHOU—Kamaile Kandiah 16, Lexie Taylor 2, Heaven Wong 0, Abigail Aplaca 2, Va’e Malufau 12, Elle Uyeda 5, Tyra Moe 8, Kylie Yamauchi 0.
KAMEHAMEHA—Laycee Pasion 2, Jewel Paaluhi-Caulk 8, Rylee-Ann Kauahikaua 2, Krista-Denise Matsumura 2, Starr Richardson 2, Cassidy Keola 0, Kalina Obrey 14, Anoipua Kaaloa 0.
3-point goals—Punahou 3 (Kandiah 2, Uyeda 1). Kamehameha 2 (Paaluhi-Caulk 2).
No. 7 ‘Iolani 61, Sacred Hearts 52
| At Sacred Hearts |
| ‘Iolani (4-4) |
13 |
21 |
12 |
15 |
— |
61 |
| Sacred Hearts (1-7) |
6 |
13 |
19 |
14 |
— |
52 |
‘IOLANI—Emily Nomura 16, Brooke Maeda 6, Sierra Buscher 4, Kelsi Ikeda 2, Taylor Wu 6, Camy Aguinaldo 15, Aubrie Usui 0, Tori Lynn Maeda 6, Kawai Kahalehoe 6.
SACRED HEARTS—Zoe-Ann Yamamoto 2, Pakalana Kam 4, Kyla Nascimento 2, Dallas Martinez 13, Jessica Hanashiro 26, Sade Mizusawa 5, Shaydee Afoa 0.
3-point goals—‘Iolani 4 (B. Maeda 2, Nomura, Wu). Sacred Hearts, none.
ILH DIVISION II GIRLS
Damien 51, La Pietra 35
Taylor Labanon scored 13 points and Melina Souza added nine as the Monarchs beat the Panthers.
La Pietra’s Tia Thompson finished with 10 points.
| At Damien |
| La Pietra (0-10) |
7 |
7 |
14 |
7 |
— |
35 |
| Damien (6-4) |
12 |
17 |
18 |
4 |
— |
51 |
LA PIETRA—Kristiana Petrie 0, Jaresha Gladney 5, Tommianne Brockert 3, Tia Thompson 10, Pumehana Uslan 7, Samaya Gorham 8, Kristiana Petrie 0, Kiara M. 1.
DAMIEN—Ghenniel Vegas 2, Taylor Labanon 13, Jonnalee Galdones 0, Karly Navas 9, Kilinoe Gora 3, Melina Souza 9, Ilana Sagapolutele 5, Catherine Votovich 2, Montana Carter 4, Chantelle Agag 4.
3-point goals—La Pietra none. Damien 7 (Navas 3, Souza 2, Gora, Labanon).
Hawaii Baptist 45, Le Jardin 21
Stephanie Dang scored 15 points, including three 3-pointers, as the Eagles stayed perfect in league play.
Julia Fischer had 11 points for the Bulldogs, who trailed 27-6 at halftime.
| At Hawaii Baptist |
| Le Jardin (1-9) |
1 |
5 |
5 |
10 |
— |
21 |
| HBA (10-0) |
12 |
15 |
9 |
9 |
— |
45 |
LE JARDIN— Mia Barrett 4, Kira Miyatake 0, Teneal Togami 0, Julia Brutsch 0, Morgan Pelkey 3, Katie Awana 0, Riley Diersbock 2, Alyssa Dominguez 1, Malie Young 0, Julia Fischer 11.
HAWAII BAPTIST—Alexys Adriance 0, Ally Wada 8, Ashley Benn 0, Caitlin Ching 2, Cassidy Wada 0, Caitlen Joy Ramos 4, Kalena Montgomery 0, Katelyn Nakagawa 5, Keisha Ching 3, Kiara Chun 2, Kyley Nakagawa 2, Megan Lorenzo 0, Mikayla Chun 0, Nicole Arakaki 2, Stephanie Dang 15, Kacie Yoshida 2, Haley Benn 0.
3-point goals—Le Jardin none. Hawaii Baptist 4 (Dang 3, Ka. Nakagawa).
Mid-Pacific 40, Hanalani 23
Cierra Kameehouna paced the Owls with a game-high 26 points en route to a victory.
The Royals had five players score, led by Keila Tsutsui’s nine points.
| At Hanalani |
| Mid-Pacific (8-2) |
9 |
11 |
8 |
12 |
— |
40 |
| Hanalani (5-5) |
7 |
4 |
3 |
9 |
— |
23 |
MID-PACIFIC—Harley Simon 0, Kayla Muraoka 0, Tylee Wong 0, Emma Porter 0, Payton Antonio 3, Ciera Kameehonua 26, Marjorie Cheng-Leever 8, Judy Phan 3.
HANALANI—Isabelle Aki 0, Rebekah Yamada 2, Alexa Nava 4, Kelsy Chong 0, Jonnisty Monalim 2, Joanna Johnson 0, Alyssa Spurling 6, Keila Tsutsui 9, Kiara Peterson 0.
3-point goals—Mid-Pacific 2 (Antonio, Kameehouna). Hanalani 1 (Nava).
Also
St. Francis 42, University 41
OIA WEST BOYS
No. 8 Leilehua 61,
Pearl City 46
Nicholas Duran made six 3-pointers and finished with 27 points and Joseph Gouty added 15 as the Mules remained unbeaten in league play.
Ryan Yamamoto had 10 points for the Chargers, who were outscored 33-21 in the second half.
| At Leilehua |
| Pearl City (5-2) |
8 |
17 |
9 |
12 |
— |
46 |
| Leilehua (7-0) |
13 |
15 |
15 |
18 |
— |
61 |
PEARL CITY—Sape Tupuola Jr. 7, Kavoisee Mason 3, Gilbert Tapat 9, Pierce McMoore 4, Pono Akiona 7, Ryan Yamamoto 10, Garin Spillner 6, Kamren Estoesta 0, Che Erquiza-Oliveras 0, Christian Punsalan 0.
LEILEHUA—Trey Boatwright 0, Linus Asher 0, Joseph Gouty 15, Jostin Gampayon 1, Liam Fitzgerald 7, Nicholas Duran 27, Koalii Kauhi 9, Christian Alvarez 0, Anterrio Gainwell Jr. 2.
3-point goals—Pearl City 5 (Yamamoto 2, Akiona, Tapat, Tupuola). Leilehua 7 (Duran 6, Fitzgerald).
Junior varsity—Leilehua def. Pearl City, score NA
