On a team of underclassmen, it’s not hard for Sierra Murobayashi to feel like a mother hen at times.
Murobayashi, the only senior on the roster of No. 1-ranked Maryknoll, was grateful for the postgame celebration. Even during the game, when each of her four shots missed, she drew the largest cheers — and moans when she didn’t score — from a senior-night crowd at Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium.
Maryknoll had plenty of firepower with 12 points from point guard Rhianne Omori, nine by Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole, eight by center Isabella Cravens and seven by Kodee Viena in a 47-34 runaway win over No. 4 ‘Iolani.
The Lady Spartans improved to 9-0 in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and clinched at least a tie for first place. The regular-season winner will earn an automatic state tournament berth.
“I’m happy,” Maryknoll coach Chico Furtado said. “Rhianne was excellent in transition, Kamalu and Chayse (Milne) made some big defensive plays. That’s what we practice. I love to see it come to fruition.”
Maryknoll’s length and energy were major factors. The Spartans stayed on ‘Iolani’s top scorers — Camy Aguinaldo and Tori Lynn Maeda had just two points each — all game long.
“They’re a little more refined defensively at what they do,” ‘Iolani coach Dean Young said.
‘Iolani slipped to 5-4, surprisingly content to hold the ball for long stretches against Maryknoll’s sticky 2-3 matchup zone. During the third quarter, the visiting Raiders got a straightaway 3 by Skylar Nakata (13 points) to cap a 10-0 run that began midway through the second quarter.
That brought the Raiders within 23-21, but Maryknoll answered with a 15-3 run to open its biggest lead, 38-24, in the fourth quarter.
With Kamakawiwo‘ole in foul trouble, she sat for most of the second and third quarters. She was a sparkplug early in the fourth with a layup and turnaround jumper in the lane, and Cravens added four points to help extend the lead to 47-27.
‘Iolani seemed listless at times and finished with 11 of its 17 turnovers in the second half.
Young could see it coming long before game time. ‘Iolani is in the midst of finals week, including two big ones today.
“Everyone is exhausted mentally, so we played slower ball. There were a lot of mental errors, but that was kind of expected,” he said. “I’d rather they do better in their finals than go 400 mph tonight.”
The first two times the teams met, the Raiders ran as often as possible, losing 60-52 on Nov. 26 and 50-40 on Dec. 5. This time, a loss had no bearing on ‘Iolani’s place in the triple-round robin regular-season standings.
‘Iolani actually had a 9-5 lead, going ahead on two foul shots by Maeda and getting a 3 from Kawai Kahalehoe. Then came an 18-2 run by Maryknoll, triggered by an Omori 3, a block by Cravens for an Omori layup, and a post bucket by Cravens.
The taller Spartans were content, as well, with the slower pace.
By that time Murobayashi, normally a role player and 3-point specialist, had played nearly a full quarter and practically the entire gym and all of her teammates were rooting for her on every open shot.
“She’s the backbone,” Omori said. “I don’t think any of us could do what she does, coming to practice every day. She takes a lot from us.”
Murobayashi plans to attend Chaminade in the fall.
“I’m just happy being able to play with them,” she said. “I hope they go all the way next year after I graduate. I believe in them.”
No. 1 Maryknoll 47, No. 4 ‘Iolani 34
At Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium
‘Iolani (5-4) 9 9 6 10 — 34
Maryknoll (9-0) 14 9 9 15 — 47
‘IOLANI—Tori Lynn Maeda 2, Kellie Okamura 0, Emily Nomura 4, Kelsi Ikeda 5, Taylor Wu 2, Camy Aguinaldo 2, Kayla Malta 0, Kawai Kahalehoe 6, Skylar Nakata 13.
MARYKNOLL—Kamalu Kamakawiwo‘ole 9, Rhyenne Filisi 0, Rhianne Omori 12, Georjette Stietzel 0, Kodee Viena 7, IsabellaCravens 8, Chayse Milne 0, Kenna Tanouye 0, Moe Notoa 6, Kehau Gilliland 0, Ysabelle Halemano 5, Sierra Murobayashi 0, Sisila Kaufusi 0.
3-point goals—‘Iolani 6 (Nakata 3, Kahalehoe 2, Ikeda), Maryknoll 4 (Omori 2, Viena, Halemano).
No. 5 Kamehameha 48, Sacred Hearts 38
At Sacred Hearts
KS (5-3) 14 5 13 16 — 48
SHA (0-9) 10 12 8 8 — 38
KAMEHAMEHA—Bailey Chan 0, Lauren Lau 0, Tatum Samson 0, Jewel Paaluhi-Caulk 14, Maile Marfil 0, Keanna Andres 0, Noelle Sua-Godinet 4, Kiana Vierra 12, Mikiala Maio 7, Kalina Obrey 11, Mana Borden 0, Kuuleinani Ego 0, Anoipua Kaaloa 0, Taecia Akana 0.
SACRED HEARTS—Trinity Martin 0, Sade Mizusawa 0, Rebekah “Manu” Auld 0, Pakalana Kam 6, Tyson Noquez-Epil 0, Kyla Nascimento 4, Dallas Martinez 14, Tahaewa Medeiros 10, Pamela Lino 0, Kauialoha Apao 2, Kaiulani Harrington 2, Danielle Tavai 0.
3-point goals—Kamehameha 4 (Paaluhi-Caulk 2, Vierra 2). Sacred Hearts 1 (Martinez).
ILH DIVISION II GIRLS
Mid-Pacific 59, St. Andrew’s 20
At St. Andrew’s
Mid-Pacific (9-0) 14 14 12 19 — 59
St. Andrew’s (1-6) 0 6 10 4 — 20
MID-PACIFIC—Brilie Kovaloff 11, Ciera Kameehonua 11, Harley Simon 8, Emma Porter 9, Tylee-Kanani Wong 1, Paige Fahrni 8, Payton Antonio 5, Zannah Suehiro 3, Caylina Lindbo 3.
ST. ANDREW’S—Hailey Gasmen 0, Mie Oishi 0, Olivia Sou 8, Katie Itoh 3, Sage Hoffendorf 6, Anna Grondolsky 0, Isabella-Marie Geppert 3, Pohai Del Rosario 0.
3-point goals—Mid-Pacific 5 (Kameehonua 3, Antonio, Kovaloff). St. Andrew’s 2 (Sou 2).
Hanalani 30, La Pietra 21
At La Pietra
Hanalani (5-4) 2 10 10 8 — 30
La Pietra (2-7) 11 3 5 2 — 21
HANALANI—Faith Lee 10, Kira Matsuda 4, Kelsy Chong 3, Anastasiya Li 0, Geetika Patwardhan 0, Kennedy Henry 2, Alexis Nihipali 4, Lexis Tam Ho 2, Kiara Peterson 5, Kamalanimalie Manner 0.
LA PIETRA—Shayden Glenn 0, Kiara Miller 3, Nastassia Ullrich 2, Tia Thompson 11, Samaya Gorham 5, Lara Holtkamp 0, Mary Watts 0, Tommianne Brockert 0, Faaletaua Manuma 0, Capri Letterii 0, Nicole Yarbrough 0, Pumehana Uslan 0.
3-point goals—Hanalani none. La Pietra 1 (Thompson).
OIA WEST BOYS
Waipahu 35, Pearl City 34
At Pearl City
Waipahu (1-5) 5 11 2 17 — 35
Pearl City (1-5) 6 7 7 14 — 34
WAIPAHU—Daymon Jzay Oasay 2, Felicer Barut 11, Daren Rokop 0, Mark Lim 0, Cole Phillips 11, Khrysster Ipalari 5, Daniel-Alen Ramos 0, Jeminae Solomua 4, Jerold Rivera 2, Gabriel Puni 0.
PEARL CITY—Albert Perry 0, Saul Saldana 0, Joshua Matsuda 0, Pierce McMoore 8, Ryan Yamamoto 11, Garren Spillner 5, Jared Nash 8, Jayden Parel 2.
3-point goals—Waipahu 3 (Phillips 2, Barut). Pearl City 2 (Yamamoto 2).
Junior varsity—Waipahu 33, Pearl City 27
