Posted on: Saturday, May 21, 2005
Buffanblu pass on winning tradition
| • | Punahou claims girls' state basketball title in double OT |
| • | Kamehameha-Hawai'i wins D-II title |
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Today's photo gallery |
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Punahou seniors Shanna-Lei Dacanay and Christine Takara presented more than the pride of a state title to their underclassman teammates.
They left other gifts as well, in leading Punahou to a 52-50 win over Konawaena in the HHSAA/Hawaiian Airlines Girls Basketball State Championships last night at the Stan Sheriff Center.
"Every senior class presents gifts to the underclassmen," Punahou coach Mike Taylor said. "The perseverance, knowledge and determination to be successful in our program.
"They're the backbone of our team. They lead by example, and lead by work ethic, and they have great attitudes."
The senior class, which also includes guards Stacy Brossy and Tessa Sonobe and forward Whitney Kim, leaves behind a strong group of underclassmen to carry on the Buffanblu tradition.
"They meant the whole world to us," freshman forward Shawna-Lei Kuehu said. "They were our inspirational leaders and our leaders overall. Being seniors is a big load to carry, and they carried us all the way to states and the championship."
Dacanay and Takara, who have been starters and key contributors, respectively, since their freshman year, have won two state titles in three tries in state championship games, been to four state final fours, and won three straight Interscholastic League of Honolulu titles.
"When we won when we were sophomores, we won it for the seniors," Takara said. "This is a dream come true, to go out on top."
Dacanay scored 11 points, including hitting both of her free throws with 8.1 seconds remaining to give Punahou a 52-40 lead.
"I was thinking, 'Don't think, just shoot,' because too much thinking throws me off," Dacanay said.
She also had a basket at the buzzer in the first half to bring Punahou to 21-18, two rebounds and two assists.
Takara had 7 points, including making 1 of 2 free throws in the second overtime period with 26.7 seconds remaining to give the Buffanblu a 49-47 cushion.
Kuehu scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and her twin sister, Shaena-Lyn, had four points and five rebounds. Sophomore Ciana Aiwohi made the game-tying basket at the buzzer in regulation to send the game into overtime.
"I don't see them as freshmen; I don't see any differential," Takara said. "They're all varsity basketball players."
Dacanay said when she was a freshman, upperclassmen like Becky Hogue, Rachel Kane and Elyse Umeda were her inspiration.
"They just led by example," Dacanay said of the upperclassmen when she was an underclassmen. "I would always look up to Rachel. I always watch what she did. Hopefully we'll pass on what we know to the young ones."
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.
