Farrington storms to 20-0 start

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Farrington's Shirlynn Tambua drives past Waimea's Virginia Aguilar in the first quarter. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Mission accomplished.

Sunshine Misa-Uli scored a game-high 12 points in 10 minutes and Meleane Mateaki added eight points and 10 rebounds as Farrington used a 17-0 first quarter to sprint past Waimea, 50-25.

The Governors play No. 4 seed Baldwin in the quarterfinals today at 3:30 p.m.

Farrington led 20-0 before the Menehunes scored their first point on Ashley Mier's free throw with 6:42 left in the second quarter. The Governors' defense allowed just one basket, a layup by Jessica Jacinto, in the first half and led 32-5 at intermission.

"We really wanted to come out strong," said Farrington coach Jenic Tumaneng, who added his team had a slow start in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship loss to Moanalua last week. "We needed to establish ourselves in the first quarter, take care of the ball and get some points on the board. I think we did that."

Misa-Uli scored eight points in the first quarter and finished the game 5-of-8 from the field with five rebounds and two steals. Mateaki made 4 of 8 shots and grabbed six offensive rebounds for the game. Both played tough interior defense and helped limit the Menehunes to 1-for-13 shooting in the first half.

"I think we did really good, but we still have a lot to work on," said Misa-Uli, who added her team could improve on rebounding. "But our team worked together to make things happen. We're fighting to make it to the final four."

Waimea head coach Elton Montemayor said the Menehunes had no answer for Misa-Uli, a 5-foot-10 junior forward, and Mateaki, a 6-foot senior center.

"Their size just overtook us in the first half," Montemayor said. "Misa-Uli and Mateaki just took over the game. Physically, they pushed us under the basket and we couldn't get rebounds."

The Menehunes never got closer than 25 points in the second half. Farrington led by as many as 36 (43-7) in the third quarter.