Punahou claims ninth straight ILH title

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Kamehameha Schools girls water polo team was seven minutes away from making history last night, but Punahou rallied for three unanswered goals in the final quarter to win its ninth straight Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship, 6-4.

With the victory, the Buffanblu (8-1) earned the ILH's lone berth for this week's state tournament. Kamehameha (6-3) was seeking its first title and had forced last night's winner-take-all showdown at Iolani by upsetting Punahou, 9-7, on Friday in the league's postseason tournament final.

"That was my first loss in water polo, ever," said senior Mele Carr, who has been playing since the seventh grade. "But it makes us appreciate this (title) even more. It wouldn't be the same if everything was too easy."

Last night's win was anything but easy. After a scoreless first quarter, the Warriors took a 1-0 lead with 4:34 remaining in the half on Kealaonapua O'Sullivan's short goal off a rebound.

The Buffanblu tied it 18 seconds later on a goal by Carr, but Kamehameha took a 2-1 halftime lead after Elizabeth Rose Hanohano-Hong scored on a shot that deflected off goalie Spenser Rigg.

The teams traded goals twice in the third quarter, with O'Sullivan putting the Warriors up, 4-3, on a goal off Hanohano-Hong's assist with 3:47 left.

Punahou tied it one minute into the final quarter on Kelly Samples' backhand shot, then took a 5-4 lead with 4:14 remaining on Carr's short goal off Angie Giancaterino's assist. Natale Rigg then lofted in a shot from about 30 feet away to make it 6-4 with 2:19 left.

Kamehameha had three more shots after that, but could not convert. Spenser Rigg finished with eight blocks in the goal.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.