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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, April 5, 2007

'Iolani swamps Punahou

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

What the 'Iolani girls water polo team lacks in depth, it makes up for in experience and quickness.

'Iolani seniors Jade Look and Ashley Nickle scored three goals apiece and the Raiders cruised past host Punahou, 10-6, last night in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu showdown of unbeaten teams.

The Raiders (3-0) jumped to an 8-2 lead in the second quarter behind a quick-strike offense, and never let their lead dip below four the rest of the way against the Buffanblu (2-1).

"Our goal was to start off fast and make the game our pace," Nickle said. "We wanted to play our game, and not their game."

The veteran Raiders played the match with only nine players; two sophomores, and seven seniors who have played together since the seventh grade.

"This is a culmination of all those years together," 'Iolani coach Linda Look said.

"It's rare for kids our age to be playing for as long as we've had," said Jade Look, who is Linda's daughter. "It really helps us teamwise. It's easy to tell what people are going to do."

'Iolani had five players score in the game. Dara Tawarahara added two goals, and Kellie Young and Elyse Shimomura scored one apiece.

The Raiders led 2-1 after the first quarter, and scored four consecutive goals by Tawarahara, Look, Shimomura and Nickle in the first four minutes of the second quarter.

After a goal by Punahou's Sasha Fuller, 'Iolani responded with scores from Nickle and Tawarahara for an 8-2 lead with 1:25 to go. Fuller scored just before the half to cut Punahou's deficit to 8-3.

Punahou outscored 'Iolani, 3-2, in the second half.

"It's hard to match 'Iolani's speed," Punahou coach Ken Smith said. "We have to do a better job against their fast break, or we'll keep being in trouble. They play a real aggressive defense and they capitalize on our mistakes."

Punahou's Fuller and Kulani Jenkins each scored twice.

'Iolani 10, Punahou 6. Goals: 'Iol—Jade Look 3, Ashley Nickle 3, Dara Tawarahara 2, Elyse Shimomura, Kellie Young. Pun—Sasha Fuller 2, Kulani Jenkins 2, Marlie Long, Kelli Moy.

KAHUKU 10 ROOSEVELT 5

Gina Ahue scored six goals to help the Red Raiders (4-0) defeat the Rough Riders (2-1) in a key O'ahu Interscholastic Association showdown at Central O'ahu Regional Park.

Marissa Young led Roosevelt with three goals.

Kahuku 10, Roosevelt 5. Goals: Kah — Gina Ahue 6, Shannon Ching, Rebecca Fonoimoana, Rosie Jaffers, Minnie Whitford. Roos — Marissa Young 3, Keola Kamakana 2.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.