Punahou's girls basketball team may have lost some key seniors from last year's state championship squad, but the Buffanblu are not ready to abdicate the Interscholastic League of Honolulu throne just yet.

They scored a big road victory last night at Kamehameha, 36-29, to improve to 4-0 in the ILH and set up Saturday's 1 p.m. showdown with visiting Iolani (3-0). Kamehameha fell to 1-2.

"I kind of got my jitters out tonight, because we knew these would be our two hardest games yet," said Punahou sophomore center Shawna Kuehu, who finished with a game-high 14 points last night. "We just had to calm down and play our game."

The Buffanblu got off to a hot start, draining four 3-pointers in the first period to take a 14-3 lead into the second. They were held to just two points in the next eight minutes, but the Warriors managed only three.

Kamehameha point guard Tatri Lorenzo, a fourth-year varsity player who signed with Gonzaga, was shut out in the first half and finished with just four points.

"She's a much better shooter than that, and we're a better shooting team than that, but we've been struggling the past two games," said Warriors coach Clay Cockett, whose team lost to Mid-Pacific, 40-39, on Friday. "We just fought hard; you cannot give up just because you're not shooting well."

Kamehameha started the second half strong with a 5-0 run after Lorenzo's 12-foot baseline jumper and Leah Godinet's three-point play. The Warriors then closed to 17-13 on Johanna Sai's layup with 5:05 remaining in the period, but Punahou responded with six straight points from Kuehu to push the lead back to 10.

In the fourth quarter, Kamehameha cut it to 30-25 after Kaui Todd's layup with 2:48 left, but Kuehu scored five more points down the stretch to seal it.

"Tatri is a heck of a player, but we were focused on stopping them as a whole and I'm really proud of our team defense," Punahou coach Mike Taylor said. "On offense, it wasn't pretty but we executed when we had to."

The Buffanblu lost several seniors to graduation, including point guard Shanna-Lei Dacanay, The Advertiser's 2005 State Player of the Year.

"We're all coming together," said Kuehu, who was an Advertiser All-State first-team selection as a freshman. "Everybody has just stepped it up and we still play as a team, just like we did to win the championship."

Taylor said Iolani, which returns all 11 players from last year's state quarterfinal team and added 6-foot-2 transfer Megan Burton, presents a big challenge.

"They're a great team and they have all the pieces to the puzzle," Taylor said.

PUNAHOU (4-0) 14 2 10 10—36

KAMEHAMEHA (1-2) 3 3 11 12—29

PUNAHOU—Ciana Aiwohi 6, Elizabeth Abe 3, Melanie Feldman 0, Dara Tompkison 4, Cristen Aona 0, Shawna Kuehu 14, Mahina Macfarlane 0, Shaena-Lyn Kuehu 3, Janelle Nomura 2, Sophie Merrifield 2, Chelsea Deptula 2, Devon Yamauchi 0. Totals 10 12-18 36.

KAMEHAMEHA—Miki Nakamura 0, Johanna Sai 2, Ana Viena Lota 4, Tiana Abbley 0, Leah Godinet 11, Rhani Kaneaiakala 3, Kaui Todd 5, Tatri Lorenzo 4, Casey Lum 0. Totals 11 7-16 29. 3-point goals—Punahou 4 (Aiwohi 2, Abe, Tompkison). Kamehameha none.

IOLANI 44, MID-PACIFIC 27

Jamie Smith scored 14 points to help the Raiders beat the Owls and remain unbeaten.

MID-PACIFIC (1-3) 6 12 9 0—27

IOLANI (3-0) 14 17 5 8—44

MID-PACIFIC—Keri Nakamura 2, Yuki Sei 0, Johnnelle Kapua 11, Meghan Laughlin 2, Kristina Lin 7, Erin Nishimura 0, Leigh Cullinan 0, Crisi Nihipali 5. Totals 8 10-16 27.

IOLANI—Kaz Masutani 6, Hennasea-Sue Tokumura 2, Alana Matayoshi 4, Chanel Hirata 5, Marci Kang 0, Alana Wall 0, Jamie Smith 14, Meilin Akamu 0, Sarah Turgeon 4, Keilyn Fujioka 9. Totals 18 5-8 44.

3-point goals—Mid-Pacific 1 (Lin). Iolani 3 (Masutani 2, Hirata 1).

ILH DIVISION II

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 61, LE JARDIN 41

Ashley Medcalf scored 38 points and Michel Chon added 14 as Christian Academy beat Le Jardin.

LE JARDIN (0-6) 10 14 8 9—41

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (2-4) 21 18 14 8—61

LE JARDIN—Ryann Kurahara 7, Rachel Grozen-Smith 6, Kaitlin Kahahawai 6, Corelle Nakamura 10, Sarie Hill 6, Jessica Shiraella 4, Kaleo Schumann 2. Totals 18 4-10 41.

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY—Ashley Medcalf 38, Amber Acedo 5, Michel Chon 14, Jessie Kamikawa 0, Reyna Cachola 0, Jessica Benito 4, Jasmine Tory 0. Totals 26 8-14 61.

3-point goals—Le Jardin 1 (Kurahara). Christian Academy 1 (Medcalf).

Reported by Steve Lewis

PUNAHOU 61, KAMEHAMEHA 57

Yuree Nam scored 12 points, Taila Autele added 11 and Erin Moon had 10 as the Buffanblu beat the Warriors to remain undefeated.

PUNAHOU (7-0) 11 16 14 20—61

KAMEHAMEHA (3-4) 11 22 12 12—57

PUNAHOU—Megan Akamine 6, Aubrie Lau 0, Carly Wachi 8, Taila Autele 11, Kaliko Fernandes 0, Sarah Aratani 0, Erin Moon 10, Kelsie Gomes 0, Fransina Savusa 0, Jessica Letoto 0, Erin Nagata 2, Pomai Stone 0, Yuree Nam 12, Brooke Ehrman 0, Arielle Daniels 12. Totals 23 15 61.

KAMEHAMEHA—Brittany Clark 6, Jamie-Marie Ferrigno 12, Nicole Lee Akiu 7, Kim Morishige 5, Annie Yamamoto 0, Karielle Kohatsu 2, Chayla Sherman 0, Logan Keala 0, Nalani Hee 0, Melia Lino 6, Brandi Kohatsu 10, Kanoe Bartel 0, Claire Owens 9, Bianca Minns 0, Brittney Courtney 0. Totals 25 7 57. 3-point goals—Punahou none. Kamehameha none.

Reported by Paul Iha

HANALANI 40, LUTHERAN 38

Janelle Fetui scored 15 points, including two free throws in the final seven seconds, to lift Hanalani over Lutheran.

LUTHERAN (0-6) 13 12 2 11—38

HANALANI (2-5) 5 9 12 14—40

LUTHERAN—Tanya Bukida 7, Chelsea de la Cruz 14, Amber Cushman 0, Desiree Joaquin 6, Callie Takahashi 6, Keri Wakabayashi 5. Totals 14 10-21 38.

HANALANI—Stephanie Wee 8, Natalie Reyes 6, Heather Faustin 4, Amber Schonowitz 5, Janelle Fetui 15, Danielle Murakami 2. Totals 17 6-15 40. 3-point goals—None.
Reported by Karyn Inafuku

ST. FRANCIS 45 , UNIVERSITY HIGH 31

Nicole Perry and Kanani Perry each scored 12 points as the Troubadours beat the Jr. 'Bows.

UNIVERSITY HIGH (2-4) 4 11 12 4—31

ST. FRANCIS (4-1) 11 9 19 6—45

UNIVERSITY HIGH—Ku'ulei Baba 6, Nicole Bereng 3, Sarah Cockett 0, Brittany Copp 0, Angela Crandall 1, Justine Jeremiah 9, Brennan Clark 7, Desiree Memea 5, Alisa Urabe 0, Jennifer Yokogawa 0. Totals 9 10-33 31.

ST. FRANCIS—Kaui Berinobis 0, Nicole Perry 12, Kanani Perry 12, Danielle Tanaka 3, Emma Dacalio-Spencer 0, Bryanna Batts 8, Rochelle Nakagawa 0, Kristin Enomoto 0, Melissa Allen 0, Jaimie Iwashita 2, Kacee Coito 2, Siutiti Takai 6. Totals 16 10-21 45. 3-point goals—University High 3 (Baba 2, Jeremiah 1). St. Francis 3 (K. Perry 3).

Reported by Steve Lewis

HAWAI'I BAPTIST 56, WORD OF LIFE 54

Jodi Kamemoto scored 24 points, including five 3-pointers, and the Eagles rallied past the Firebrands. Careena Onosai and Shayna Onosai led Word of Life with 16 points apiece.

WORD OF LIFE (4-2) 18 11 12 13—54

HAWAI'I BAPTIST (5-1) 10 15 10 21—56

WORD OF LIFE—Samantha Khan 2, Krystle DeBorja 0, Jasmine Saquilon 2, Justine Sampaga 4, Rayane Alvarado 2, Piilani Mahoe 12, Careena Onosai 16, Brittany Iwamoto 0, Shayna Onosai 16, Moani McBraun 0. Totals 19 12-24 54.

HAWAI'I BAPTIST—Jodi Kamemoto 24, Adrienne Kishimoto 0, Narissa Fujii 4, Angie Lee 2, Carissa Onuma 12, Stacie Sueda 4, Janine Diehl 6, Tiffany Chang 0, Leah Shizuru 4. Totals 16 18-34 56. 3-point goals—Word of Life 4 (Mahoe 4). Hawai'i Baptist 6 (Kamemoto 5, Diehl 1).

Reported by Deren Oshiro

OIA WEST

LEILEHUA 47, CAMPBELL 38

Isis Atualevao scored 14 points and Charlene Borromeo added 12 as the Mules beat the Sabers. Darlyn Livae led Campbell with 15 points.

CAMPBELL (2-6) 8 15 2 13—38

LEILEHUA (6-2) 15 11 14 7—47

CAMPBELL—Cheyna Tagura 0, Berlyn Devera 6, Shiann Leong 8, Shelei Murray-Thornton 0, Jasmine Valentin 4, Jenna Contemplo 1, Darlyn Livae 15, Jenny Sweeney 4. Totals 16 5-7 38.

LEILEHUA—Ui Forgione 3, Ivanca Ilab 1, Mahela Punley 0, Gabriella Pascual 0, Ashley Momiyama 0, Charlene Borromeo 12, Justina Mason 0, Brittaney Stafford 8, Isis Atualevao 14, Marquesha McVea 9, Joray Nacapuy 0. Totals 15 16-21 47.

3-point goals—Campbell 1 (Devera). Leilehua 1 (Forgione).

JV—Campbell 41, Leilehua 14

Reported by Udie Algoso

MILILANI 56, NANAKULI 50

Ashley Anthony scored 18 points and Christina Korodan added 15 as the Trojans beat the Golden Hawks. Mililani made 32 of 45 free-throw attempts, and Nanakuli converted 15 of 31.

NANAKULI (0-8) 10 7 17 16—50

MILILANI (6-2) 11 15 13 17—56

NANAKULI—Sheila Aragayoso 0, Ambree Hauhio 7, Vernadine Vickers 20, Jayrene Alapai 2, Britney Wolf 4, Noelani Napuelua-Saole 2, Delisha Kaimi 3, Joyce Ahina 1, Alexis Soriano 1, Francis Busano-Leleo 0, Lahela Sylva-Kanagusuku 10. Totals 17 15-31 50.

MILILANI—Kimi Ebina 4, Christina Korodan 15, Lia Nishikura 1, Ashley Anthony 18, Joleen Realin 6, Rayna Downey 4, Kelsey Woodward 2, Diamond Badajos 2, Chantel Tanuvasa 4, Summer Wegiel 0, Haunani Richardson 0. Totals 12 32-45 56. 3-point goals—Nanakuli 1 (Kaimi 1). Mililani none. JV—Mililani 62, Nanakuli 56

Reported by Shy Wegiel

OIA EAST

KAHUKU 71, KALAHEO 62

Artevia Wily scored 23 points, including 17 of 18 on free-throw attempts, as the Red Raiders beat the Mustangs. Camilla Ah-Hoy and Salote Livai each added 12 points for the Red Raiders. Kendra Fischer scored 22 points and Shanadee Canon added 20 for Kalaheo.

KALAHEO (6-2) 17 23 11 11—62

KAHUKU (4-3) 21 21 14 15—71

KALAHEO—Hoku Kaiu-Denning 4, Delicia Wilson 0, Lohi Aweau 2, Anu Ah Yun 1, Shanadee Canon 20, Brianne Villarosa 2, Caira Pires 0, Katie Lintz 2, Kendra Fischer 22, Kaliko Kepa 9. Totals 18 22-43 62.

KAHUKU—Camilla Ah-Hoy 12, Lenora Nauahi 0, Ane Vea 0, Brittney Fesolai 4, Artevia Wily 23, Nicole Nautu 8, Keisha Moeai 0, Salote Livai 12, Breeah Hatch 3, Christine Meredith 9. Totals 22 27-31 71. 3-point goals—Kalaheo 4 (Fischer 4). Kahuku none. JV—Kahuku 56, Kalaheo 30

Reported by Tasha Vimahi

ROOSEVELT 54, MOANALUA 38

Iwalani Rodrigues scored 12 points, Tati Beasley added 11 and Shannon Miyashiro had 10 as the Rough Riders beat Na Menehune to take sole possession of first place at 7-1.

MOANALUA (3-5) 5 11 8 14—38

ROOSEVELT (7-1) 17 12 16 9—54

MOANALUA—Brianna Lagat-Ramos 0, Jade Miller 2, Michelle Hourdy 0, Kimberly Sato 0, Indah Widyakasuma 8, Janelle Uncageo 0, Jamie Ronolo 5, Britni Ronolo 11, Terina Blue 5, Nikol Felder 7. Totals 13 10-28 38.

ROOSEVELT—Iwalani Rodrigues 12, Tati Beasley 11, Dianna Zane 8, Noelle Kawelo 6, Tiana Sugui 3, Shandree Amstead 4, Shannon Miyashiro 10, Kayleen Kaalai 0. Totals 22 7-11 54. 3-point goals—Moanalua 2 (J.Ronolo, Blue 1). Roosevelt 3 (Zane 1, Beasley 1). JV—Roosevelt 45, Moanalua 20

Reported by Bobby Keanini

MCKINLEY 50, KAISER 49

Chelsie Sato scored nine of her 19 points in the fourth quarter and the Tigers took the lead with less than two minutes left and held off the Cougars. Kaitlyn Ikehara added 17 points for McKinley, including five 3-pointers. Keely Bitanga had 19 points for Kaiser.

MCKINLEY (2-6) 18 7 9 16—50

KAISER (3-5) 10 13 14 12—49

MCKINLEY—Kaitlyn Ikehara 17, Chelsie Sato 19, Kamakani Victorino 5, Pearly Togiai 4, Joelle Sagapolu 0, Jorina Faletoi 1, Crystal Tafai 4, Chellisa Faletoi 0. Totals 17 10-13 50.

KAISER—Aja Yamamoto 9, Amber Nakachi 2, Jessica Dusich 1, Chelsy Okuma 3, Keely Bitanga 19, Renee Shitanishi 0, Sharde Pratt 15, Tiare Kepa 0. Totals 20 4-10 49. 3-point goals—McKinley 6 (Ikehara 5, Victorino 1). Kaiser 5 (Yamamoto 3, Okuma 1, Bitanga 1). JV—Kaiser 37, McKinley 17

Reported by Clyde Ching

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.