Kalaheo wins fifth straight OIA title

By Leila Wai
Special to The Advertiser

The Kalaheo Mustangs celebrated a 55-50 victory over the Kahuku Red Raiders at the Stan Sheriff Center last night. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

This year there were rumblings that the Mustangs wouldn't defend their OIA championship. But all doubts were erased last night.

The Mustangs defeated the Kahuku Red Raiders, 55-50, last night at the Stan Sheriff Center to win their fifth straight OIA title.

"We had to prove this to everyone that Brandy (Richardson) is gone but we could still do this," the senior forward said. "It is more of a team thing now; we have more balance and it isn't just one player anymore. It's different but it is good."

Kalaheo coach Chico Furtado said: "I'm very proud of our girls, we've come a long way. We had to take a different route this year, with the two losses (McKinley and Moanalua), and we had some doubters, but they sucked it up and they competed."

The game showcased the offensive strengths of both teams: Kalaheo's power and Kahuku's grace, and resulted in 105 total points.

Latoya Wily, a Kahuku transfer, scored a team-high 19 points and Fritzsche added 10 for the Mustangs.

Mereani Lewenilovo also scored 19 points, including 15 in the second half, and Karla Tailele had 13 for the Red Raiders.

"It feels great," Wily said. "My teammates and I work hard together and it feels great to win. We deserve this."

Wily scored 10 points as Kalaheo raced to a 25-15 lead at halftime.

The Mustangs took their largest lead — 14 points — at the four-minute mark in the fourth quarter. The Red Raiders closed the gap to four, 51-47, with 33 seconds remaining.

But Kelena Hatori converted 4-of-6 free throws to give the Mustangs all the cushion they would need.

"They played a really tough game and we came out really flat. I give them credit; you can never take anything away from Kalaheo," said Kahuku coach Mona Ah Hoy.

The Mustangs committed 14 turnovers, while the Red Raiders turned the ball over 16 times.

Kalaheo defeated Kaimuki and Pearl City to reach the title game and Kahuku beat Wai'anae, Campbell and Moanalua.