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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, May 5, 2007

Govs, Rough Riders roll into semifinals

Photo galleryOIA basketball quarterfinals gallery

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Roosevelt's Iwalani Rodrigues shoots against Kahuku's McZeen Ale during the first half. Rodrigues scored 21 points.

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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As one of the top players on her Farrington girls basketball team, C'Ani Kealoha felt it was her responsibility to show the way in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference quarterfinals.

Kealoha scored 11 of her game-high 23 points in a decisive fourth quarter and the Governors pulled away from 'Aiea, 50-40, yesterday at Roosevelt.

"I had to bring leadership on the court," said Kealoha, a senior guard. "I had to bring our team up, and make them feel good."

The Governors (10-4), the East's third-place team, qualified for the state tournament with the victory.

Na Ali'i (9-4), the West runner-up, can still qualify for states, but will need to work their way through the consolation bracket.

Kealoha's 3-pointer from the top of the key broke a 34-all tie with 5:07 to go. She followed with a fadeaway just outside of the lane, and converted a layup off a steal that put the Governors ahead, 41-34, with 3:43 remaining.

"She's a very physical perimeter player," 'Aiea coach Mike Yen said of Kealoha. "We couldn't leave her open. When she was open, she killed us."

The Governors led for most of the first half, and took a 25-17 lead on Kealoha's steal and layup with 6:48 left in the third quarter.

But Na Ali'i mounted a rally, and ended the quarter with a 15-4 run to take a 32-29 to start the fourth quarter. Capri Holiona scored six during the surge and finished with a team-high 15.

'Aiea couldn't hold the lead, and Farrington eventually tied the game at 34 on Deja Bryce's layup with 6:08 left to set the stage for Kealoha.

Farrington played a box-and-one defense on 'Aiea's top guard, Natasha Helsham, and held her to five points in the second half. She finished with 14 points.

"They played very good defense," Helsham said. "They deserved (the victory) because they played like they wanted it more."

FARRINGTON (9-4) 13 8 8 21 — 50

'AIEA (9-4) 12 5 15 8 — 40

FARRINGTON — Honour Stone 0, C'ani Kealoha 23, Jorell Telefoni-Sablan 7, Macilee Moi 2, Deja Bryce 8, Valerie Lesu 4, Angie Gasio 0, Polohiva Folaumahina 0, Elaine Leaupepe 6. Totals 18 11-22 50.

'AIEA — Tasha Johnson 0, Jennifer Yuen 0, Natasha Helsham 14, Natasha Fong 0, Michelle Shiroma 0, Nohe Fonoti 3, Tierra Tauanuu 2, Emily Tausaga 4, Caroline Sio 2, Capri Holiona 15. Totals 16 8-12 40. 3-point goals: Farrington 3 (Kealoha 3).

ROOSEVELT 61, KAHUKU 38

Iwalani Rodrigues scored 12 of her game-high 21 points in the first quarter and the host Rough Riders pounced on the Red Raiders in an OIA Red Conference quarterfinal.

Roosevelt (12-1), the East champion, qualified for the state tournament. Kahuku (4-9), the East's fifth-place team, will need to work its way through the consolation bracket to qualify.

Rodrigues hit five of Roosevelt's 10 baskets in the first quarter and staked her team to a 27-10 lead.

"Iwa just stepped it up big time," Kahuku coach Peni Latu said. "She took the game into her hands, and from there, everyone else just followed."

Roosevelt sank four 3-pointers in the first quarter, two by Tiyana Nakasone, who added one more in the fourth and finished with 13 points.

Kahuku never could get into an offensive rhythm in the first half and fell behind 41-25 at intermission.

The Red Raiders closed to 47-31 on Taeja Afalava's layup with 2:20 left in the third quarter, but that's as close at they would get.

"We had a really good week of practice," Roosevelt coach Bobby Keanini said. "And the practice carried over to what we applied to the game."

Afalava led Kahuku with 15 points. Roosevelt's Tiana Sugui finished with 12 points.

KAHUKU (4-9) 10 15 6 7 — 38

ROOSEVELT (12-1) 27 14 10 10 — 61

KAHUKU — Taeja Afalava 15, Brittney Fesolai 3, Kelcy Latu 0, Krystle Magunba-Glover 0, McZeen Ale 2, Vaimalama Tito 5, Keisha Moeai 2, Alayna Galeai 2, Tania Latu 0, Kenra Moe 3, Nicholle Nautu 6. Totals 16 4-14 38.

ROOSEVELT — Dianna Zane 8, Tiana Sugui 12, Iwalani Rodrigues 21, Kathleen Nakata 0, Jayna Tasaka 3, Shandree Armstead 2, Tiyana Nakasone 13, Tasia Kamakawiwo'ole 2, Kaui Kuehu 0. Totals 23 9-13 61. 3-point goals: Kahuku 2 (Tito 1, Nautu 1). Roosevelt 6 (Nakasone 3, Tasaka 1, Sugui 1, Zane 1).

Reported by Bobby Keanini

CORRECTION

Kamehameha's Kylle Roy was pictured in a photo that ran in yesterday's Advertiser. Another player's name was used in the photo caption.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.