Punahou's Dacanay stood tall in clutch

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

At 5 feet 3, Punahou senior Shanna-Lei Dacanay still was a giant among Interscholastic League of Honolulu basketball players.

Shanna-Lei Dacanay, a 5-foot-3 guard, played her best in crucial moments as she led Punahou to a 10-0 regular-season record. Taylor Advertiser library photo

Dacanay averaged 12.1 points, 3.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game and helped the Buffanblu to a 10-0 regular-season record, earning ILH Division I Player of the Year honors after a vote of league coaches.

What her statistics do not show is when she made those points, assists and steals. Many came at crucial moments in big games, when Punahou either was behind or clinging to a tight lead. Dacanay also did things that are not marked in the scorebook, such as handling the ball against heavy pressure and playing tough defense.

Dacanay is joined on the ILH all-star first team by freshman teammate Shawna-Lei Kuehu, Iolani junior Hennasea Tokumura, Kamehameha junior Tatriana Lorenzo, Maryknoll senior Jessica Akamine and Iolani junior Alana Wall.

Kuehu, a 5-9 post, averaged 13.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.5 steals per game, and her field-goal percentage was an astounding .551.

Taylor

Tokumura, a 5-3 point guard, was the leader of a senior-less Raiders team that finished second in the final standings. She averaged 9.8 points per game.

Lorenzo, a 5-5 guard, was one of the league's primary scoring threats, especially in the open court.

Akamine, a 5-6 guard, was a defensive menace with quick hands and she also was an underrated scorer who could quickly change a game's tempo. She helped the Spartans to a third-place finish in the standings.

Wall, a 5-11 forward, was an agile post player who could run the floor and score in transition.

Dacanay and Tokumura are repeat first-team selections.

Punahou's Mike Taylor was named Coach of the Year for the third straight year after guiding the Buffanblu to their third straight ILH championship.