Posted on: Tuesday, February 8, 2005

Kamehameha cheer squad chasing another crown

Advertiser Staff

With only three returnees and a new coach, two-time defending champion Kamehameha Schools will try to three-peat in the National High School Cheerleading Championship Saturday and Sunday in Orlando, Fla.

Kamehameha will compete in the all-girls small varsity division (12 or fewer). In all, 54 teams will be competing, along with Saint Louis.

Kamehameha won the past two years under the direction of Dolly Wong, who was the coach since 1991, but decided to step down after last year.

"To follow in Dolly's footsteps (is) a lot of pressure," said Melissa Beimes, who was coached by Wong and then coached with her for the past seven years.

"We're really a young team. We only have one senior and this is her first year cheering. She played soccer before."

Beimes said she will try to push the Warriors to new heights.

"We definitely have to be creative in our choreography and come up with new skills," she said.

Beimes said Kamehameha is traditionally a "strong all-around team in jumps, cheer, dance and stunts."

The Kamehameha team will consist of 12 athletes and two alternates.

BASKETBALL

Punahou's ILH title hopes dim after defeat

Thursday night's Interscholastic League of Honolulu boys basketball showdown between Iolani and Punahou will be missing at least a little bit of drama, thanks to University High's 56-52 upset of Punahou last Saturday.

Punahou (10-2) mathematically still can tie Iolani (12-0) in the regular-season standings and force a winner-take-all playoff game, but that is unlikely as Iolani is heavily favored to clinch the title tonight against Damien.

Punahou coach Greg Tacon said the upset by UHS (5-7) should not be regarded as totally unexpected.

"We've all seen what they're capable of when they beat Saint Louis (on Feb. 1)," Tacon said. "They've got some great seniors and they've always been at the cusp of doing great things. All the credit goes to them."

Three of Punahou's top scorers — guard Danny Cho, wing Spencer McLachlin and post Kasey Ko — combined for seven points on Saturday.

The school's carnival was held last weekend, and traditionally the junior class is in charge of its operation and the senior class stages a variety show.

The Buffanblu have five seniors and six juniors on the roster.

"It was a bad night for a bunch of our guys, but we're not going to make excuses," Tacon said. "(UHS) did a great job, especially coming back from being down eight points in the third quarter."

John Duro led the Junior Rainbows with 17 points.

VOLLEYBALL

Word of Life's Onosai tapped All-American

Word of Life junior outside hitter/middle blocker Careena Onosai was one of six named to the National Christian School Athletic Association Girls Varsity Volleyball All-American first team.

Onosai was an Advertiser All-State second-team selection and an ILH first-team all-star.