St. Andrew's, Roosevelt in final

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

St. Andrew's Priory's Holly Saito takes the game-winning shot over Lindsey Lee of St. Joseph as time expired in overtime. Photos by Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

St. Andrew's (11-6), of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, plays Roosevelt, of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association, in today's championship game at 6 p.m. Roosevelt beat St. Anthony of Maui, 38-25, in the other semifinal.

Saito said the final play was designed for whoever was open to receive and shoot the ball.

"The play was made for more of a drive, but they weren't covering us as good as we hoped," she said.

Said Pride coach Ross Kinsler: "It was not quite by design, but we'll definitely take it,"

Saito also was responsible for putting St. Andrew's into position to win the game, making both of her free throws with 1 minute, 17 seconds remaining in overtime to tie it at 35. She also made one of two free throws with 1:51 remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 30.

St. Joseph senior guard Lindsey Lee had a chance to win the game in regulation, but her shot following a drive to the basket as time expired was long.

St. Andrew's Caasi Nakasone led all scorers with 18 points.

Lee scored a team-high eight points for the Cardinals (12-5), including two free throws in overtime when she tried to silence the Pride's cheering section by putting her finger to her mouth.

It was the St. Andrew's girls basketball team's first appearance in the state tournament, and St. Joseph's first since 1978, and second appearance overall.

"We're really happy," Saito said. "We were just expecting to have fun and we wanted to play our hardest."

Roosevelt 38, St. Anthony 25

Mahea Tassill of St. Anthony, left, puts up a shot against Roosevelt's Shannon Miyashiro in their semifinal game.

Roosevelt outscored the Trojans 24-14 in the second and third quarters, including an 11-0 run in the second quarter, to put the game out of reach.

The Rough Riders held the Trojans to six field goals and a 27.8 percent shooting, and forced 28 turnovers, including 19 steals.

Senior forward Sierra Dunn scored a team-high 11 points for St. Anthony.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.