Farrington surprises unbeaten Pearl City
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Farrington's Laosamoa Misa-Uli admitted struggling from the free-throw line this season, but she came up big when it counted last night at Pearl City.
Misa-Uli's free throw with 18.1 seconds remaining helped Farrington upset previously undefeated Pearl City, 46-45, in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association quarterfinal game.
"I remember coach telling me, 'when you get on the line, just breathe, breathe, and take your time,' " Misa-Uli said. "I wanted this (free throw) real bad, because I missed a lot of free throws in the beginning of the year. This made up for it."
In other quarterfinal games, Kahuku defeated Kaiser, 59-48; McKinley dismantled 'Aiea, 53-25; and Moanalua rolled past Kalaheo, 61-33.
The OIA champion will be from the East Division because West Division teams Pearl City and 'Aiea were eliminated last night.
In the closest game of the quarterfinals, Farrington (9-3) turned to Misa-Uli's hard work to win the game.
With the score tied at 45, Misa-Uli grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled on a putback attempt with 18.1 seconds remaining.
"She's one of those girls who will go hard for every ball," said Farrington head coach Jenic Tumaneng of Misa-Uli. "She had a bad night on the foul line, but at halftime we told her that you'll have your chance again."
Misa-Uli, who was 5 of 10 from the line, sank the first free throw but missed the second. Pearl City rebounded and called timeout, trailing 46-45 with 16.4 seconds remaining.
The Chargers passed the ball to their star player, Christie Ayers, but she was covered, so the ball ended up with Amy Fujihara, who missed a last-second shot under heavy pressure.
"We had a great season," said Pearl City head coach Mike Morton. "It could have gone either way tonight. The ball just bounced Farrington's way tonight."
Misa-Uli finished with a game-high 15 points, and Tanya Alualu added 11. Fujihara hit four 3-pointers and led Pearl City (10-1) with 12 points followed by Ayers with 9.
"(Farrington) played us tough the whole game, and even when they were down they never gave up," Ayers said. "It's good that we won 10 games, but it's kind of disappointing to lose the only game that really counted the most."
FARRINGTON (9-3) 13 6 14 13—46
PEARL CITY (10-1) 9 10 10 16—45
FARRINGTON—Revelyn Cabaya 7, Elaine Bihag 4, Joanne Fernandez 0, Sandy Tauta 2, Racquel Rivera 0, Paepaetele Poasa 0, Tanya Alualu 11, Meleane Mateaki 7, Laosamoa Misa-Uli 15. Totals 18 9-23 46.
PEARL CITY—Darcie Hamamoto 0, Jillan Soria 7, Amy Fujihara 12, Kellie Nishikida 0, Christie Ayers 9, Chalice Kaapuni 5, Tina Questel 0, Marci Lobendahn 8, Lusia Kleinschmidt 3, Jamie Iwata 1. Totals 14 11-19 45.
3-point goals—Farrington 1 (Mateaki). Pearl City 6 (Fujihara 4, Soria 2).
KAHUKU 59, KAISER 48: Latoya Wily scored 15 points, and Karla Tailele and Aisha Ale each added 13 as the Red Raiders beat the Cougars.
KAISER (6-6) 5 11 12 20—48
KAHUKU (10-1) 14 13 12 20—59
KAISER—Sarah Black 0, Shera Yamamoto 5, Jaime Nerona 13, Mary Ann Taulau 5, Julia Paulo 1, Sharde Pratt 6, Kelly Niiro 0, Kehau Bangay 2, Kilioe Alifua 16. KAHUKU—Camilla Ah Hoy 5, Chazel Fiso 0, Monarisa Ale 7, Lesina Funaki 0, Artevia Wily 2, Anny Soliai 0, Karla Tailele 13, Aisha Ale 13, Melissa Aumua 0, Terina Oto 0, Latoya Wily 15, Tuli Peters 4.
3-point goals—Kaiser 2 (Nerona 2), Kahuku 2 (Ah Hoy, Tailele).
MCKINLEY 53, 'AIEA 25: Amber Lee scored a game-high 21 points, and Melody Ababa added 10, including two 3-pointers, as the Tigers routed Na Ali'i.
McKinley (10-2) 13 20 9 11—53
'Aiea (8-3) 4 7 2 12—25
MCKINLEY—Chantel Yadao 6, Rayna Isaki 5, Meagan Miyasaka 2, Melody Ababa 10, Bre Carson 9, Sharlee Kitaoka 0, Ceslie Maafala 0, Amber Lee 21, Tania Liufau 0, Kauai Quartero 0, Kelli Fukumoto 0, Janin Corpuz 0, Kim Ehia 0, Maria Leivan 0. Totals 22 2-7 53.
'AIEA—Shareyn Muneoka 2, Donna Echalas 2, Sherylann Miyashiro 0, Nicky Takemoto 7, Noe Colburn 0, Melika Souza 1, Pukai Castillo 2, Felisha Liilii 0, Jamie Rosario 4, Ashley Vidal 0, Kalei Castillo 7, Shannon Nahoopii 0, Cheri Gauer 0. Totals 11 2-12 25.
3-point goals—McKinley 7 (Carson 2, Ababa 2, Yadao 2, Isaki 1). 'Aiea 1 (P. Castillo).
MOANALUA 61, KALAHEO 33: Amy Kotani scored 11 of her 15 points, including three 3-pointers, in the first half as the Menehunes routed the Mustangs.
Patti Hardimon also had 15 points, and Kepua Lee added 10, as Moanalua eliminated Kalaheo from the OIA Tournament, breaking the Mustangs' streak of five consecutive OIA championships.
Moanalua led 29-9 at halftime.
Kalaheo (7-5) 6 3 8 16—33
Moanalua (11-0) 12 17 19 13—61
KALAHEO—Shalei Soveira 0, Shaina Siliga 3, Randi Farstad 2, Jade Simmons 0, Shantel Marumoto 0, Brandi Benson 4, Malia Samson 2, Stephine Hobbs 0, Taylor Smith 4, Kaiena Huihui 5, Kaliko Kepa 8, Kamala Kau 5, Kandance Kinney 0. Totals 11 9-26 33.
MOANALUA—Christina Sierra 4, Amy Kotani 15, Sherri Reyes 0, Ronni Kelliihoomalu 2, Sasha Silva 2, Patti Hardimon 15, Joy Matsukawa 6, Kepua Lee 10, Marleen Leautu 7. Totals 23 11-17 61.
3-point goals—Kalaheo 2 (Siliga, Kepa). Moanalua 4 (Kotani 3, Matsukawa 1).
