Posted on: Saturday, May 14, 2005
Kahuku claims OIA Red title
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Kahuku repeated as the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's Red Conference girls basketball champion last night, but in a fashion totally different from last year.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser Kaiser (11-5) will begin state tournament play in Tuesday's first round.
Last year, All-State seniors Latoya Wily (24 points) and Karla Tailele (18 points) dominated offensively in the Red Raiders' OIA title game victory over McKinley. But last night, no Kahuku player scored more than 12 points, although 10 different Red Raiders got into the scoring column.
"That is the good thing about this year's team: we can go to anybody for points," said Kahuku senior post Aisha Ale, who finished with 10 points and four rebounds. "Against us, you can't try to defend only one player — you gotta defend each and every one of us, the starting five and the bench."
The Red Raiders' depth was a factor throughout, but never more so than with 2:46 remaining in the third period, when Ale was whistled for her fourth foul. The Cougars had just cut a 31-18 deficit to eight points, 35-27, and was looking to make a move with Ale on the bench.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser "They had players who came in and hit some nice shots," Kaiser coach Lisa Mann said. "They went really deep into their bench, and those players produced."
In particular, junior forward Christine Meredith came in for Ale and contributed six points and two rebounds.
"I wasn't concerned (when Ale got into foul trouble), because Christine played really well offensively and defensively," Red Raiders coach Wendy Anae said. "She did a good job."
Defensively, the standout for Kahuku was junior Camilla Ah Hoy, who helped limit Cougars guard Nicole Lehner to 11 hard-earned points, including only two field goals.
Lehner, a sharpshooting and slashing wing, scored 26 points in Tuesday's semifinal win over Roosevelt.
"We practiced playing defense against her on Wednesday and Thursday," said Ah Hoy, who also scored 11 points. "Coach just told us to stick with her all the time and try not to let her get the ball."
The Red Raiders also held Kaiser post player Kilioe Ali'ifua to five points, including none in the second half.
Anae said the championship repeat was unexpected by some, but not her.
"The key for us was teamwork — it was a balanced effort," Anae said. "We lost a lot of people from last year, but these players worked hard and everybody stepped up."
KAHUKU — Delicia Wilson 3, Ane Vea 2, Camilla Ah Hoy 11, Luseane Kauvaka 0, Adrianne Galeai 0, Lily Latu 2, Kaimi Ah Puck 0, Leann Mapu 2, Artevia Wily 12, Salote Livai 0, Tina Soliai 8, Christine Meredith 6, Aisha Ale 10, Kamaile Hughes 10. Totals 29 5-9 64.
KAISER — Chanelle Esteban 0, Nicole Lehner 11, Jaime Nerona 5, Kehau Bangay 4, Chelsea Kapuniai 1, Kuhia Arakaki 0, Sharde Pratt 11, Jolie Yoshino 3, Kelsey Beck 1, Rene Shitanishi 0, U'i Kaonohi 0, Kilioe Ali'ifua 5. Totals 13 15-26 41.
3-point goals — Kahuku 1 (Wilson). Kaiser none.
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.
Tati Beasley scored 13 points as the Rough Riders knocked off the Governors in the third-place game at McKinley. Nichole Yoshimoto and Shannon Miyashiro each scored 12 points for Roosevelt, and Chelsea Kadota added 11.
ROOSEVELT—Dianna Zane 1, Tati Beasley 13, Chelsea Kadota 11, Dasha Kawakami 0, Larisa Nakasone 0, Nichole Yoshimoto 12, Kaitlynn Simmons 2, Melanie Nakatani 0, Shannon Miyashiro 12. Totals 16 16-23 51.
FARRINGTON—Malia Segundo 0, C'ani Kealoha 7, Sandy Valdez 0, Tanya Sale 4, Shirlyn Tambua 1, Kalani Alatasi 3, Joanna Montero 0, Kapio Alatasi 10, Elane Leaupepe 10, Dejanira Bryce 4, Kristyn Va'a 0, Brianna Tatupu Leopoldo 0. Totals 16 4-9 39.
3-point goals—Roosevelt 3 (Yoshimoto 2, Kadota 1). Farrington 3 (Leaupepe 2, Kealoha 1).
Reported by Hinano Higa
The Red Raiders used a well-balanced offensive attack and suffocating defense to deny Kaiser, 64-41, before a crowd of about 650 at McKinley's Student Council Gym. Kahuku (14-1) will be the OIA's seeded team and earned a first-round bye in next week's Division I state tournament.
Kahuku's Artevia Wily, center, battled for a rebound during last night's O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference championship game against Kaiser. Kahuku retained its championship, 64-41.
But instead, it was Kahuku that made its run, scoring 13 straight points to build the lead to 48-27 early in the fourth quarter.
Aisha Ale, left, and Tina Soliai celebrated with the rest of their Kahuku teammates after winning the OIA championship last night.
Roosevelt 51, Farrington 39
